Organic vegetable gardening means growing vegetables without using synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or other chemicals. Instead, organic gardening uses natural and sustainable methods to grow healthy and nutritious produce.
Why Go Organic
Healthier and more nutritious produce:
Organic vegetables are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. This means that they’re free of harmful chemicals that can be absorbed by the plant and potentially harm anyone who eats them.
Organic vegetables also tend to have more nutrients and antioxidants, which can be beneficial to your family’s health.
Better for the environment:
Organic gardening methods focus on building healthy soil, encouraging biodiversity, and using natural pest control and natural disease control methods.
By avoiding the use of synthetic chemicals, organic gardening is better for the environment, reducing the risk of chemical runoff and soil contamination, and promoting sustainable gardening.
Supports local agriculture:
By growing your own organic vegetables, or buying from local organic farmers, you’re supporting the local economy and promoting sustainable growing practices in your own community.
Cost-effective:
Organic gardening can be cheaper in the long run, as organic gardening helps improve your soil’s health and in turn means you don’t have to use expensive fertilizers and pesticides.
Educational and rewarding:
Organic gardening can be a fun and rewarding activity, teaching you and your family about plant growth, healthy soil, and the importance of biodiversity.
bi·o·di·ver·si·ty
[ˌbīōdiˈvərsədē, ˌbīōˌdīˈvərsədē]
NOUN
the variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
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How To Go Organic
1. Plan and prepare your garden:
- Choose a site that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day and has good drainage.
- Remove any weeds or debris
- Amend the soil with compost or other organic matter to improve fertility and structure.
2. Use organic seeds and plants:
Choose seeds and plants that have been certified organic, or collect and save your own seeds from previous organic harvests.
3. Practice crop rotation:
To prevent the buildup of pests and diseases in the soil, rotate your crops every year so that you don’t plant the same family of vegetables in the same spot for at least 2-3 years.
4. Companion planting:
Organic gardeners use companion planting to deter pests and attract beneficial insects.
For example, planting marigolds around the perimeter of the garden can help deter nematodes, while planting herbs such as basil or oregano can attract beneficial insects like bees and ladybugs.
5. Use natural pest and disease controls:
Encourage natural predators like ladybugs and lacewings and use companion planting to deter pests. You can also make homemade pest sprays using garlic, hot peppers, or neem oil.
If necessary, use organic pesticides that are approved for organic gardening.
6. Water deeply and efficiently:
Water your plants deeply and less frequently to encourage deep root growth and conserve water. Use drip irrigation or a soaker hose to deliver water directly to the roots.
A good way to make sure you water deeply is to water and let the water go through the soil, then come back after a few minutes and water very well in order to deeply water your plants.
If you’ve ever watered a plant in a container – the water seems to run through and comes right out the drainage holes. So, if you water a little to start you’re “prepping” the soil to actually “receive” the water.
For me, I go through and water everything and basically get the soil wet. After I go through and water it all I come back through and water slower to make sure every plant gets a deep watering.
7. Mulch your garden:
Cover your soil with a layer of organic mulch, such as straw, leaves, or grass clippings, to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and add organic matter to the soil.
The mulch holds the water in, keeps sun from getting to weeds so they can’t grow, and as it breaks down over time it gives back to the soil.
8. Fertilize with organic sources:
Use organic fertilizers such as compost, manure, or seaweed to provide nutrients to your plants. These natural fertilizers help improve soil health while also promoting healthy plant growth.
Avoid synthetic fertilizers, which can harm beneficial soil organisms and lead to nutrient imbalances. You can make your own compost so easily with your own household waste, and your soil much prefers compost to man-made fertilizer. Plus, you’ll find your plants don’t need a lot of extras when you use compost.
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9. Harvest regularly:
Harvest your vegetables regularly to encourage continued production and prevent overripe or diseased fruits from attracting pests and diseases.
If you leave your bounty on your plants too long, they respond by slowing or stopping production. Their main purpose is to provide seed for next year’s growth, so if they produce a lot of fruit or veg then they think they’re done. But if you harvest regularly, you’ll often find they continue to put fruit on to make sure there’s seeds for next year. (not super scientific, but you get the idea…)
So, make sure you harvest regularly, and if you’re growing okra and you don’t harvest – sometimes twice a day – they will be massive and tough… just sayin’ lol
Takeaway
Going organic in vegetable gardening promotes healthy and nutritious produce, supports the environment and local agriculture, and can be a cost-effective and rewarding activity.
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