Organic Vegetable Gardening
Organic vegetable gardening is something more farmers are getting into because it is cost effective and they are able to produce almost the same yield of crops. Before you can do this at home, the principles of organic vegetable gardening must be understood. No fertilizers, nutrients or pesticides can be used in organic vegetable gardening. Nature is your partner here because you will be using two things to make it all work namely sunlight and water. We don’t produce these ourselves but you have to find the ideal area and provide adequate drainage.
To help the crops grow, mix together leftover food, chipped bark, garden compost, leaf moulds and manure using a compost heap and then spread it throughout your garden so you do not rely solely on sunlight and water. Manure is sold in stores so you don’t have to scoop this from the toilet so don’t feel queasy, also chickens are great to have - just let them roam around in the garden. Some people use dead animals or meat products but you can’t put these in the soil. To help fertilize your garden, leave them for a couple of weeks in the bin and maggots will soon appear which can be used.
The earthworm is another helpful creature because it digs deep into the ground and aerates the soil bringing various minerals to the surface which also provides better drainage. The casting this long pink colored creature leaves behind is five times as rich in nitrogen phosphorous and potassium, according to experts. Any gardening store or garden center will have this available for you to purchase.
Organic gardening is a challenge because pests such as army worms, crickets, gypsy moth caterpillars, slugs and squash bugs are unwanted guests. Despite the fact that at one time people used fertilizer to kill them, the toad, which is known to eat more almost every type of insect it is the best weapon in an organic setting. Caterpillars and spiders are not in the toad’s diet so if they are lurking in the garden you should get a bird.
It isn’t necessary to buy a toad or a bird from the pet store as long as you set the ideal environment for them so they may come in to your home. If you can put up a bird house or a small pond, within days, you will have some new occupants protecting your garden. The preying mantis and the ladybug are other insect killers which you can get to do the job as they mark their territory and eat anything that dares enter their domain.
For example, the rosemary, sage or thyme is an effective deterrent against butterflies whereas marigolds are effective against nematodes. The rotation of crops is seen as the best way to keep the soil fertile, despite all the flowers and creatures that nature has to offer. Change the kind of vegetable for this season with a different one and, after this one is harvested, return to the first one. with some practice you can harvest the vegetables you have planted weeks ago.
