What's Organic Gardening?
The term “organic” describes farming and cultivation practices that enrich the soil, manage and prevent pests and disease without the use of synthetic chemicals, and protect heirloom plant varieties. Organic gardeners consider the entire ecosystem as they grow their vegetables & herbs, working in harmony with the water supply, wildlife, insects and local community. Organic gardeners strive to enrich the soil with compost and choose plants suited to the local environment instead of exotic varieties.
Gardeners using organic practices are enthusiastic about green living and environmental protection, and many people believe that organic fruits and vegetables contain more essential nutrients than conventionally-grown produce. When you eat organically-grown food, you avoid exposure to pesticides, fertilizers, preservatives and other synthetic chemicals.
The satisfaction of growing organic fruits and vegetables in your yard includes a greater connection to the plants’ natural processes. Because you won’t be working with potentially dangerous chemicals, you can feel good about letting your kids work with you in your garden, and you don’t have to worry about your pets coming into contact with pesticides.
Choosing Organic Seeds
For a fruit or vegetable seed to be labeled “organic” in the US, it must be approved by the USDA through a robust testing process. Look for the USDA Organic label to make sure you’re getting organic seeds and vegetable plants.
Organic seeds can be a little more expensive because of the extra care it takes to grow organically. To create organic seeds, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation and genetic engineering can’t be used, which many people believe is healthier.
If you’re going to spend more on organic seeds, it makes sense to continue to use organic methods to grow your crops. The seeds will grow with synthetic fertilizer and non-organic soil, but you’ll enjoy the satisfaction of knowing your fruits and veggies are 100% organic. Shop Lowes.com to find best organic soils, fertilizers and natural grass seeds.
When to Water Your New Garden
Whether you use a sprinkler or a garden hose, most gardeners agree that mornings are the ideal time to get your watering done — simply because it's usually cooler outside. Lower temperatures result in a lower rate of evaporation, which means that your plants will have a better shot at retaining moisture.
Watering your garden after sunset may result in excess overnight dampness. This can lead to harmful fungal or bacterial infections in your plants.
Beneficial Insects for Organic Gardening
Organic gardeners work with the natural environment instead of against it. So if you're beginning an organic garden, learn about beneficial insects. Bees and other pollinators are crucial to spreading pollen in your garden. You can encourage bees in your garden by planting flowers and shrubs that attract them, providing a source of shallow water for them to drink and leaving a bit of bare ground for them to make nests.
Spiders are also helpful because they catch and eat other bugs that might eat your plants. While some beetles can be pests in the garden, others, such as ladybugs, are useful because they feed on aphids and mites.
Protect these insects by avoiding pesticides or other toxic sprays. Even organic pesticides can harm beneficial insects, so only use them when your crops are being attacked and only on specific plants. Your best option is always to hand-pick the insects off your plants.
Dealing With Weeds in Natural Gardening
There are organic alternatives to fighting weeds. Be vigilant and pull weeds when they emerge to prevent them from leaving seeds. It's easier to pull weeds when it's been wet for a few days, so wait until after you water or rainfall to make it a no-fuss process; just be sure to get all of the roots when pulling up weeds.
You can use compost or other organic mulch to keep the weeds from seeing the light of day, which will kill them. Cover the bases of your plants with a one- to three-inch layer of compost, which will also be an excellent organic fertilizer.
You can also target specific weeds with white vinegar, or look for organic alternatives at your Lowe's Garden Center.