Organic gardening, and organic farming, can be not only a healthy alternative to chemically grown vegetables, but also a very profitable and fun hobby. Chemical compounds for improving fertility and fighting plagues are increasingly expensive, and they just don't deliver what they promise. For centuries, gardeners and farmers have used a series of natural methods to increase productivity and fight pests before the use of pesticides, and there is no reason why you can't do the same today!
You may be asking yourself, where you should get started. The first step is to get information. You'll need to first know the basics if you want to start your very own organic garden.
The first basic requirement (and these will be expanded upon in follow up emails!) is the soil you use to grow your vegetables. Knowing how to compost and properly fertilize your soil is extremely important, if you were to build a house, would you not want strong foundations to build upon? It is exactly the same for Organic Gardening, without the proper soil for your vegetables to grow in, you will not see the results. To be a successful gardener you will need to learn to balance hard and soft biological waste, balance manure with vegetable waste, and aerate it properly and to apply it to your soil. This is absolutely essential to have a healthy soil.
Next, you will need to decide what plants to grow. You'll need to learn when and how often to rotate your plants. Some plants take minerals from the soil that other plants don't need, whilst others will be able to assist your soil by giving back minerals, getting the right soil to plant can be a very delicate balance.
Choosing the vegetable, the time of rotation and when to let your soil rest is essential, not only for keeping healthy crops but also to maximise production. Choosing the right vegetables to grow depends heavily on your soil type, climate and also the water available. Some plants may also require more attention than others.
As organic gardening suggests the use of NO pesticides what so ever, it is important to know how to properly protect your plants from pests that may be lurking in your backyard. For every pest you find, there is a natural way of treating them, without the use of toxins, poisons and pesticides. There is no need to spread poison around your garden, since nature already has pest control mechanisms.
Organic Gardening does need some planning. You need to compensate for deficiencies of your soil or of the biodiversity of your region. You'll have to do your own compost and wait until it is ready. But with a little time and patience, you will soon learn that Organic Gardening can be a very enjoyable (and profitable!) hobby.
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