Guest Writer, Hilary Smith
Gardening and homemaking go hand-in-hand so if you’re considering
starting an organic garden you’re not alone. Yet, you may still be wondering if
it is possible to have a garden that is 100% organic. For instance, will your
yield be low because you did not use sprays to keep out pests and weeds? Or
will your plants be smaller because they did not have plant food? While these
are all legitimate questions, the truth is that you do not need any
store-bought items to have a lush, thriving garden. Here are a few helpful tips
on how to grow your garden organically.
Start
with the Basics
Organic gardening starts with simple and
practical tips that are all aligned with nature. For future organic gardeners
one of the first things to do is to find a sunny spot in your yard for your
garden. Your garden will need maximum access to sunlight, at least 6 hours per
day to ensure your plants can grow. Furthermore, when it comes to watering gardens in the yard, make sure your garden is in a location that is either in reach
of a hose or that you can carry water to easily for the best results.
Another basic premise is to start with organic
seeds. Hybrid seeds are those that have been manipulated during the growing
process. This could include plants that were grown with pesticides or have been
genetically altered. On the other hand, organic seeds are certified by the USDA
and have been grown without the extra manipulation. This will ensure your
family has the healthiest produce possible.
An
Organic Gardening Method
Furthermore, make sure your gardening method
of choice is also organic. While purchasing expensive parts or equipment to
build your garden may be alluring, there is really no need for any of this when
it comes to growing organically. Two convenient options for growing an organic
garden are a raised bed made of wood or simply ground beds that use nothing but
soil. For either approach, you can simply dig up the existing soil you already
have and let nature do the work for you.
One way to ensure you continue to have rich
soil is to remember to compost. Composting allows you to feed your garden
organically, creating the perfect, natural balance for your plants. Keep food
scraps and then layer them in your garden to create a nutrient-rich ground that
will continue to yield healthy plants for many seasons to come.
Companion
Plants
Lastly, consider companioning your plants.
This will include having a great mix and variety of fruits, veggies, herbs and
even flowers all mixed together! A companion gardening layout will include
placing different plants beside each other. This also helps the side-by-side
plants benefit one another. For instance, one plant may not need as much of a
nutrient as the one beside it. In this manner, you ensure each plant’s health
and potential.
Also, do not count out the power of flowers.
Flowers pay an important part in your organic garden as well. This is because
they will attract bees, butterflies, birds and other animals that will help
with germination. They can also help to control and attract pests away from
your growing edibles which provides a relief in knowing all of your hard work
and efforts will not go to waste because of hungry critters!
All in all, growing a fully organic garden has
never been easier. You can have delicious dinners at home, provide your family
with healthy snacks and even preserve foods for later use such as making delicious homemade jams. Get back to the
basics and consider any of these helpful tips for a successful organic garden
today.
Be sure to check out my "Bee Kind" nature based character development unit and my ebooks as well: A Wife's Guide to Studying Proverbs, Topical Devotions for Pregnancy and Early Potty Teaching. Or, if you're looking for a way to get 30 raw fruits and vegetables in your diet every day, contact me here.
This post may involve product that was received in exchange for a review or contain affiliate links, including those from Amazon.com, for which I will earn compensation should you choose to make a purchase. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Thank you for your support of Purposeful Homemaking.
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