Organic Gardening: Dos and Don’ts of Organic Gardening

Organic gardening or farming for that matter is a process of growing food naturally. You don’t use genetically modified seeds, chemical fertilizers or chemical insecticides/pesticides while growing crops. If you want to do organic gardening/farming, you need to remember a couple of things. Here are a few things to remember.

Rotate Crops and Keep Compost On Top

In organic gardening, it is essential to note that each type of plant has different nutritional needs. Therefore growing one crop in the same place every year can deplete the soil of essential nutrients. When you’re growing plants, it is vital to vary the types of plants in each bed from year to year. It will significantly benefit both flora and fauna in your organic garden. During the growing season, add compost to your garden by laying it on top of the soil. Eventually, the weather and insect activity will mix it into the ground.

Mulch and Fertilize 

Mulching will keep weeds from growing and prevent water loss through evaporation. Mulching also makes an excellent environment for critters that are of benefit to your plants. When soil is warm and, moist soil organisms are most active. It is always best to find out what the best time of the year is to fertilize.

Organic Fertilizers

Your plants will have the best nutrients if you use organic fertilizers. The best fertilizer mixes are those with many different ingredients. Once fertilizer is applied soil microbes get broken down.  One application of organic fertilizers provides your plants with nutritional needs for a more extended period. 

Keep Off Of Garden Beds

When you are designing your organic garden beds, create beds that are easily reachable and make paths that you can navigate and are wide enough to work with the plant. Compacted soils make it hard for beneficial insects, and fungi to move through them. Plant roots, water, and oxygen also need plenty of space, so make your organic garden wide enough. 

Don’t Overwork the Soil

By tilling too much you can destroy the soil structure and kill earthworms. Once your organic garden bed it prepared till only when you see unwanted grasses or weeds spring up. It is not a good idea to keep disturbing the soil especially after it has been fertilized.

Don’t Overwater 

Plant roots and fungi require oxygen to continue growing, Soils that become waterlogged prevent the absorption of oxygen and create an unhealthy environment. Plants need water, however, too much water can harm the plants (unless your plants need a lot of water like the rice crops). The ideal way to water the plants is by watering thoroughly and repeating the process only when the soil is dry. Frequent watering when the soil is still moist can damage the roots. Always test the dryness of the soil before watering again.

Don’t Use Chemical Pesticides

Chemical pesticides will do harm to your organic garden. It is best to use homemade pesticides that won’t harm the plants and focus on pest and disease prevention.