The term organic gardening means gardening without using any synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. Apart from that, everything else is the same. Not using synthetic materials does make controlling pests, insects, weeds and even some diseases different from the usual methods. Also, special care needs to be taken to keep the soil healthy and meet nutritional requirements.
The first aspect of organic gardening is the soil. Organic matter is added frequently to the soil to maintain its nutritional quality. Compost is largely used, because it keeps the plants quite healthy. Compost is prepared from organic remnants such as dead leaves and flowers, peels of the fruits, shorn grasses, etc. Soil that is healthy will have a deep color and a sweet odor. It will also be teeming with earthworms. Some other organically permitted additives for soil are greensand, rock phosphates and bone meal. These can be added after checking the pH of the soil.
Most gardeners – even hardcore organic gardeners – cannot resist using dangerous pesticides when they spot insects on their plants. For an organic gardener, the best way to deal with insects is to take the right prevention. Keep the plants as healthy as you can (insects love unhealthy plants). If the plants are healthy, they will not be affected by the insects. Maintain the right moisture conditions for the plants. Also, cultivate different species of plants, which keeps particular insects away.
One organic method to keep the insects away is to include organisms that feed on them. Ladybugs, frogs, lizards and even birds are good choices. A water source near the garden helps to keep the insects away. Or you can use mechanical devices such as barriers, plant collars and sticky traps. You can even use simple household ingredients like garlic, hot pepper and insecticidal soaps.
Disease in plants can be avoided organically by planting only disease resistant plants when they are in their prime. Do not allow moisture to retain on the plants much, and take care of the air that circulates in the garden. The way you water your garden can decide how much disease-prone your plants will be.
One more point that harasses organic gardeners is weed management. You can use organic mulch to keep the weeds away, and for improving its effect, you can use cardboard, construction paper or even a simple newspaper below the mulch. Before planting, spread corn meal gluten on the garden. Solarizing the garden also works for weed control. Of course, you can hoe the weeds out too. Be persistent, use good mulch and hoe out the obstinate weeds – these are the best organic methods to permanently take care of the weeds.
When you garden organically, your plants will live healthier and will be totally natural. You will have to invest more time and effort, and also persevere when you use totally organic methods, but you will soon understand the routine and that will benefit your plants greatly.
If you enjoy gardening you should invest more time using organic techniques to work with your garden.
Organic Gardening Articles: http://www.organicgardenarticles.com/
By: Ryan Ginster
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