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Growing food for your family can provide a sense of accomplishment. Knowing the produce is organic adds to the joy. Starting an organic garden is similar to starting any garden; it just requires proper planning. Organic Gardening Begins with Goals The first step in organic gardening is goal setting. What do you want to grow? How much of it? Then, sketch out the plots. By doing so, you can figure out how much room you need to accomplish your goals. You’ll want to research how much room plants need to grow. And, if any of the plants don’t do well next to others. Find the Right Spot for your Organic Garden Once you’ve sketched your plots and determined the garden size you need, take a look around your yard. Find a spot that gets at least six hours of full sun per day and will be easy to water. Also make sure the area drains well. If you typically find it retaining water in the spring and summer, choose another location. Should you discover your available space is not large enough to accommodate your garden blueprint, you’ll need to reduce the number of plots in your garden plan. Test your Soil Now that you’ve found the perfect spot, check your soil. pH test are available at your local lawn and garden store. Ideally, you want a pH level between six and seven. Any number lower or higher means your plants won’t grow as well as they should. You can also send a soil sample to your local cooperative extension service to get tested. They can provide detailed information on any mineral deficiencies and the steps you need to correct them. However, typically this measure is not necessary unless you are having trouble growing plants. Prepare the Ground Now you’re ready to prepare the soil. Start by clearing the area of all weeds. Mow, pull, and dig them out. After you’ve weeded, till the area and rake out the debris. The last step is waiting until the area sprouts again. Pull them out and you’ll prevent weed problems in the future. Once cleared, add compost, bone meal or rock phosphate and greensand to enrich the soil with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. If the soil test showed the need to adjust the pH levels, add lime or sulfur as directed. Next, till or dig in organic fertilizers and two kinds of organic matter. If your soil is clay, add an inch covering of sharp sand, then rake your soil into beds or rows. Let your garden rest for at least one month to allow the fertilizers and pH levels to stabilize. You’ll want to choose an organic mulch to layer on your garden. The mulch should decompose over a season or two, and as it does, you should dig it in. Ground bark, hay, chopped leaves or grass clippings are all good choices. To feed your garden, start a compost pile of leaves, glass clippings, eggshells, coffee grounds and kitchen waste. Be sure not to add any meat. Once the compost is broken down into a dark brown material, it’s ready to use. Organic Gardening Starts with Organic Plants Choose plants that have been organically grown or seeds that are certified organic. Many plants grown conventionally and sold at nurseries will have been started with chemicals. These chemicals can get into your garden. And since the plants are accustomed to these chemicals, once they are transplanted into your organic garden, they will start to fail without them. Closely inspect any plant before you add it to your garden. You’ll want to look for signs of insects or disease, both of which can very quickly infect the entire garden. Ideally, the plant should be healthy and robust, not weak and straggly. If you find a root-bound plant, be sure to slice the root ball before planting to ensure the roots grow out. Before you plant them, water them, even if you are planting immediately. This will help the plants transition into your garden. Now it’s time to dig! For each plant, dig a hole that is at least twice as wide as the root ball. Gently place the plant in the hole, add the soil you dug out back into the hole and around the plant, tap it, and finish by watering it. After all your plants are in the ground, add a three-inch layer of the organic mulch. This will prevent future weed growth while retaining moisture in the soil. Now that you’ve got a garden, be sure to label your plants. Organic Gardening Requires Organic Pest Control To maintain the health of your organic garden, buy some organic insect killer. Choose one that is Organic Materials Review Institute-listed and USDA-approved National Organic Program compliant for use in organic gardening. The most effective organic pest control kills a large variety of insects and at all stages of development. You’ll want to make sure the product is safe to use up to the day of harvest. Follow the directions to ensure you protect your plants from an insect problem, which can rapidly destroy your hard work. Walk through your garden every day and inspect the plants. Pull weeds and water as needed. Most importantly, enjoy your new organic garden! About the author Steve Kander, a senior copywriter, regularly freelances on his favorite hobbies, including gardening. As a gardener, he writes about challenges he's faced and solutions he found, hoping to improve gardens everywhere.
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