A Healthy Choice: Organic Gardening

In our health conscious world today, organic gardening is becoming more and more popular as an alternative to fruits and vegetables that are cultivated using traditional pesticides and fertilizing methods.  There are a lot of organic gardening magazines that can be helpful to first time gardeners who want to start their own organic gardens. 

The Basics

Organic gardening uses natural means to control insects and fertilize the soil.  Organic matter that is used in gardens is composted of leaves, grass cuttings, rotting fruits and vegetables as well as wood shavings and even paper.  As the matter decomposes, it gives off heat and all of the nutrients from the decomposing matter sink into the soil, giving it a rich, dark look and can be used as mulch for the plants.

Prepping the soil is very important in organic gardening since it is the soil that feed the plants all that they need to grow healthy and strong.  There are certain types of soil that naturally holds nutrients better than others, like clay, so it is vital to check the soil type in the area where the garden will be made so that the proper preparations can be made before the garden is planted, such as adding mulch from the compost pile.

One of the most common questions asked by beginner organic gardeners is how to combat insects and diseases if pesticides are not used.  There are many different answers to this issue, but it does take more planning than buying some pesticide and spraying the plants.  Nature usually has the best answers, and utilizing the insects and animals that are good for the plants by tilling up the soil and eating harmful insects is one answer.  Lady bugs eat aphids, frogs, lizards and birds eat other insects and help to maintain the order of nature in the garden.  In addition, floating row covers can be used that block out many different insects but still allow sunlight to get in to the plants.

When choosing the plants for the organic garden, they should be chosen according to the climate in the region.  That way there are more chances for success as the plants are already pre-equipped to handle many of the dangers that nature might throw their way.  In addition, it is a good idea to plant a variety of plants instead of the traditional rows of the same plant, since this is less attractive to harmful insects and animals.