Organic Gardening

Chemical-free gardens producing wholesome fruits and vegetables with minimal impact on the land and the people living on it is considered organic gardening. Respect for the soil and what it can yield, taking the complexity out of composting and enjoying the rewards richly at harvest time, that is what organic gardening is all about.

Organic living, the green movement, a conscious effort to respect the land and all it stands for. An awareness of what goes into products, and a determination to steer clear of harmful additives, preservatives and chemicals.

With the increase of factory farming, toxins that run off into the earth and into the waterways are of grave concern. If you doubt the impact that these toxins are taking on the earth, then we suggest you take a trip to the bookstore and ask for two books- Silent Spring by Rachel Carson and Silent Snow by Marla Cone. Both books with similar titles pertain to the same subject matter; the slow poisoning of the people, the oceans and the earth from man-made toxins. Both books are sobering reads and definite wake-up calls.

Erosion of our land, topsoil that is vanishing under housing developments and mini malls, poisoned wells and springs, all make for toxins finding their way into our food sources, into our water and of course into our bodies.

If you have a patch of land, we encourage you to turn it over to organic gardening. Start producing foods that you control, not foods that control you.

If the family needs a project, organic gardening is a good place to start. Where even the youngest of hands can till soil and plant a seed. A project that will delight the young- at-heart, because as you turn the soil over, a new world opens up to you below and a respect for life, all life begins.

Starting your organic garden

It all begins with the land. In order to grow anything organically, you must have a soil that is rich in nutrients and free of toxins and pesticides.

You need mineral balance, biotic life, light from the sun, water that is untainted, the right growing conditions and patience to learn from your mistakes, because you will make them. Good gardening practices are learned. They seldom come naturally.

Ideal soil for a small garden is sandy loam. Sandy loam consists of three key ingredients, clay, silt and sand. The clay is necessary because it helps the soil to hold in water therefore becoming a storehouse for nutrients.

Sand allows for proper drainage and aeration and silt.

The proper balance of silt in your soil allows for you to grow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables and other plant life that will thrive.

What is the depth of your topsoil? How deep do you have to dig before you hit bedrock? As you are digging and unearthing a darker stained earth, this is your topsoil. This is where the nutrients and the biotic life thrive. Your topsoil should be at least 6-12 inches deep.

Is there a water source nearby, either an underground spring or a well run-off that you can tap into to provide much needed moisture to the soil?

You can always phone the local extension office and ask about the soil in your area. They may direct your call to the local Soil Conservation Service, and there you can find vital information that will help you with your garden planning.

Plants need light to grow. How exposed is your land to sunlight? Do you have good drainage on the property so the plants do not become water-logged at the first rains?

Can air get to your plants easily? Stagnant and still air supports fungus and bacterial growth and can bring in other issues that will harm your garden.

At the same time, flat land unprotected from the wind is vulnerable and could stop the progress of your organic garden. A windbreak is advisable depending on where you live. Not only does the windbreak stop the tearing apart and trauma to plants, but it creates a warmer environment for the biotic life and other nutrients to thrive.

Ideally putting in a water irrigation system prior to planting is advisable. This way you can monitor how much water your organic garden is getting and even put the watering on an automatic system. You can do this either above ground or below. Both ways are equally as effective.

Protect your organic garden

Once this garden starts thriving, if it is within the view of people, your organic garden will receive attention.

It will also attract marauders depending on where you are located; crows, and other birds, deer, rabbits, gophers the list is endless.

There are natural alternatives to controlling these garden thieves. When it comes to the two-legged thieves though, the control factor might be a bit more difficult. Certainly, building a high fence around your garden will help stave off some of the thieves. But the winged variety could be another matter entirely. Short of throwing a net over the fence and making the area fully contained, understand that some losses may occur.

You can also construct a natural fence using shrubbery and plant cover. This method is effective for several reasons. A thick enough shrubbery cover will stop four-legged pests from entering your organic garden. A tall, thick shrubbery boundary will cut off the view of the curious and stop some pollutants from settling on your plants and soil.

Once your organic garden starts to thrive, don’t be surprised to find people who are interested in buying your yield.

Who knows, with the added income potential, perhaps one day, you can expand and become a full-range organic gardener or farmer?