Organic Gardening

Organic gardening has been defined as a method of gardening that encompasses the whole environment to enhance soil's structure and health, while simultaneously boosting production and health of growing plants without the use of artificial fertilizers or pesticides.

Some people who use organic gardening methods believe that a garden is more than just a means of supplying food. They also subscribe to the notion that everyone in the community can have a garden of some type to help promote the local economy by way of sharing foodstuffs within the community, share gardening experience, and participate in a farmer's market.

Whether you live in that type of communal area, or simply want to have your own organic garden for private use, here are some tested steps to follow to grow an organic garden successfully:

• Choose a garden plot that receives at least four hours of direct sunlight each day, drains well, yet has easy access to water.
• Thoroughly clear the dirt of all weeds, then hoe or till the dirt. Wait a few days for weeds to sprout again, then clear them again, until you're sure there are no weeds left to sprout.
• Test your soil for pH levels and then adjust, if necessary, with organic matter such as guano, lime, or sulfur.
• Check your garden space for weeds again, remove them, and then apply two or three different types of organic fertilizers, turning them deep into your garden soil. Allow your garden plot to settle and adjust to the fertilizers for a few weeks before you plant.
• Choose plants that will grow well in an organic garden. Visit your local nursery or garden center, talk with other organic gardeners, and determine which plants are best-suited for an organic garden. You want your organic garden to be a success.
• After you plant, mulch with an organic mulch such as straw or tree bark. Use a material that will take at least one season to decompose, and work it into the soil as it breaks down.
• Begin saving all of your kitchen waste; eggshells, nut shells, coffee grounds, uneaten foods (except meats), and toss them onto a compost pile. Add to your compost heap dead leaves, shredded newspapers, and tree trimmings. Use your compost to fertilize your organic garden.
• Finally, walk in your garden daily, eradicate weeds as they sprout, control pests organically when you detect them, and make water and fertilizer available for your plants.

Remember that the philosophy of organic gardening is that all living things depend upon each other; from dirt and pests, to wildlife and flowers, and food to humans. We can be responsible for how we treat the environment, to preserve and improve it for future generations.