Organic Gardening, while harking back to the way our ancestors grew their food and other plants, is becoming more popular than it has been for generations. While traditional modern gardening practices may elicit fast growth, organic gardening is by far the healthier option for humans, animals, and the environment.
Organic gardening simply means growing plants without the use of any synthetic chemical fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides. It takes more human effort, but it is extremely rewarding for the organic gardener and those who enjoy the results. Food is more nutritious and tastier, and pollinators and other beneficial insects are not compromised. Organic is, overall, better for all of us.
Here are 20 top tips for growing a healthy organic garden…
- Work with your location. Understanding your climatic zone and planting the right plants at the right time to suit your location is a major key to a thriving garden.
- Identify areas of your yard in terms of sun, shade, and part sun/shade. Plant accordingly to match plants to the right growing conditions and the season.
- If you’re a beginner gardener, choose plants for their ease of cultivation: basil, thyme, mint, capsicums, tomatoes, and onions. Easier flower varieties include marigold (great to capture snails, too), petunias, sunflowers, dahlias, clematis, and roses.
- Diversify. Intersperse native plants and flowers with your edible herbs, vegetables, and fruits – this will attract a greater array of pollinators and birds to your garden.
- Apply manure as your bottom layer of your garden beds – there is a possibility it may contain weed seeds, especially horse manure.
- Apply compost to soil 2-3 weeks before planting. This is important as it needs time to stabilize the soil. Making your own organic compost for your garden means that you know what has been added to it.
- Add 5cm of mulch around your plants to reduce weed growth and to keep the soil moist.
- Soak seeds in warm water overnight before planting them out.
- Plant seeds into soil placed in a half eggshell or half a hollowed-out lemon or orange. Poke a hole in the bottom so that it can drain. When the seedling sprouts, plant the entire thing into the ground or pot.
- Give your plants plenty of room in which to grow. Provide a trellis or fence where required for plants that like to climb.
11. Plant to deter bugs. Onion, garlic, chives, and chrysanthemums are not only rewarding in and of themselves; they are also a powerful natural deterrent to many insects.
12. Reuse water for your garden. This includes water from boiling vegetables and pasta, water from washing your vegetables, and even grey water from your washing machine, provided you use an organic, earth-friendly laundry detergent.
13. Manage slugs and snails by filling a small jar with cornmeal. Place it on its side (unlidded) near the plants you wish to protect – slugs and snails will eat it and die.
14. Improve drainage for potted plants by placing foam peanuts in the bottom. You can also use a large coffee filter in the bottom of a flowerpot to prevent soil from spilling out of the drainage hole.
15. Nourish soil and deter pests by sprinkling coffee grounds around the base of your plants.
16. Make a natural weed killer – mix white vinegar, water, and earth-friendly dish soap in a spray bottle.
17. Allow your lawn to grow a little “wild”. Don’t cut it shorter than 5cm and allow floral “weeds” to grow. Dandelions and clover attract and feed bees – which are great for your garden!
18. Recycle non-diseased green matter into compost or your garden – lawn clippings, prunings, leaf litter, and other green waste.
19. Avoid fungal disease. Prune branches so they are not too close to the ground; don’t overcrowd fruit and vegetables, and mulch to prevent fungal spores from splashing onto the leaves of your plants. Water the base of plantings rather than the leaves, and rotate crops when you replant.
20. Attract ladybugs with parsley, fennel, and dill, and plant pink and purple flowering plants to attract butterflies. Bees love white, yellow, and blue flowers.
These are just some of the ways you can help your organic garden thrive and flourish. The rewards of organic gardening are manifold – from creating a peaceful haven to enjoying fresh, tasty, and nutritious produce … and knowing that you are helping protect the planet is a definite bonus.
