If you feel like organic food is good for you and your family, you may look at ways to grow some in your own home. All it takes is a large enough garden and some willingness for garden work.
If you are no expert gardener, you may be unsure where to start from. Hiring garden design experts is a possible option, but the truth is that a project like this only takes some dedication and surprisingly low amount of effort. You can start off with and expand on as you go. Here are the six steps you should follow in your efforts:
- Soil preparation - healthy soil is one of the most important factors for starting an organic garden. To ensure that your plants are off to a great start, your soil must be properly conditioned. Testing it is one great way of finding out more about its quality and what it really needs. You can test it yourself or alternatively have a sample sent to your local gardening office. Applying compost is a great strategy of enriching the soil before you plant in anything. Make your own compost from either with our Wiggly Solutions!
- Select the right plants - it is nice planting what you prefer, but it is better yet to stay realistic and consider the micro-conditions that these plants will have to live in. Selecting a type that is best fit is going to provide you with a rich harvest in return of less garden care. Factors such as soil quality, drainage, light and moisture are of big importance for the health of your plants. Native plants are also easier to find as seedlings that haven't been treated with chemical pesticides and fertilisers.
- Plant in wide beds - grouping plants together makes for easier garden care. If you have the tools and knowledge, you can create raised beds so that you can walk freely and provide adequate care for your crops. Grouping the plants is beneficial in many ways, as it contributes to easier watering and weeding.
- Water your plants properly - if you want your watering to be most effective, water in the morning. The reason behind this is because temperatures are cool and less water is actually lost to evaporation. Target the roots system, as that is where water is most needed. Use soak and drip systems as most effective tools for watering. Gardening experts recommend watering once or twice a week for established plants, including rainwater.
- Weeds out - weed seeds are pervasive so that is one thing you will have to monitor. Even if it seems like a lot of hard work, weeding by hand is regarded as one of the most effective methods for reducing weeds. Another great strategy is to apply mulch, which is a natural weed-suppressant and holds many other benefits as well.
- Pest care - pests are a common gardening problem. Since you are going organic, treating your plants with chemical solutions is not advisable. Instead aim to stop pests by introducing natural predators. Toads, lizards and birds can be your best friends in thinning out harmful pests for you. If all else fails, row covers and nets make a suitable solution to pest problems as well.
These are the six simple steps to a healthy organic garden grown at your very own home. You will want to follow them all, as that guarantees the success of your organic garden whenever you decide to take a shot at creating one.