Organic Gardening 101: What You Need to Know

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If you’ve ever considered giving organic gardening a try, it may seem like a formidable endeavor. There’s just so much to learn and so much to do. 

The good news is that once you master the fundamentals and get the hang of it everything else will be easy. In this article, you’ll learn the basics of organic gardening. While it’s not rocket science there are a few pointers worth knowing.

Planning

This is probably the most important action you need to take before starting on your organic garden. The location of your garden is the crucial factor that will determine what crops you can and cannot plant.

The size of your garden will also limit your ambitions. If you only have a small plot to work with, you’re not going to be able to have a corn field. Some crops require more land, some require more sunlight and water and so on.

The ground needs to be even and the garden should preferably get direct sunlight. It shouldn’t be under the shade because of a large tree or structure nearby. It should be away from cables, pipes and there should be a water source nearby to allow you to water your plants easily.

All these considerations must be factored into your planning before you plant a single seed.

The soil

The soil in your garden is another factor that determines which plants you can grow and which you can’t. Different crops thrive in different types of soil. 

The pH of the soil is very important and you’ll need to test the acidity of the soil before planting anything. Ideally, the soil should be neutral. If it’s too acidic, you’ll need to take steps to neutralize the soil with compost or by other means.

Using the right seeds

It goes without saying that the seeds you use should be organic. Doing a quick search on Amazon will show you many vendors who sell non-GMO garden seeds. You can purchase these seeds inexpensively there.

Trying to grow a plant from a seed you procured from a non-organic plant is not a good idea. While you can grow it in an organic way, it’s best to start off right and use organic seeds.

Once your garden flourishes, you can use the seeds from your own crops for future planting.

Composting

This is a skill that you’ll probably have to learn. While you can buy compost from a garden supplies store, if you can do it yourself you’ll be able to save quite a bit of money.

Composting can be a rewarding skill. If you’ve enough space to create good compost, it’ll be easy to sell the excess off and make some money. Many farmers and gardening enthusiasts are always looking for sources of good compost.

You’ll need compost for your garden because it’s rich in nutrients and helps to balance the pH of the soil. Since you won’t be using store-bought fertilizers that only help the plants while ruining the soil, it’s important to have a constant supply of compost for your organic garden.

Maintenance

Once you’ve got the soil ready and done the planting, all that’s left is maintenance. You’ll need to water your plants regularly, according to the weather. During hot seasons, more water is necessary. If it has been raining, you can skip the watering.

Too much watering will kill your plants. Do note that you should have some form of drainage for the excess water in the soil to drain out.

There will be other issues to keep an eye on such as weeds, pests, plant diseases and so on. Monitoring your garden daily will help you to nip any problem in the bud. Pun fully intended.

These are some of the basics of organic gardening that you should be aware of. There are many more, but you’ll learn about them as you go along. The best thing you could do is read a few books on organic gardening and take notes that may apply to you.

You’ll then have a better understanding of the process and will be less likely to make any inadvertent mistakes. Organic gardening yields many benefits and is one of the most rewarding vocations on the planet.

5 Basic Requirements before You Start Organic Gardening 

Having an organic garden with lush vegetables and fruits can be rewarding, beneficial and satisfying. However, the entire process can seem too much to bear if you’re not prepared for it. 

You do not want to be in a situation where you started off all excited, but it has now become a nightmare because you just can’t deal with all the responsibilities that come with it.

In this section will look at five basic principles of organic gardening that you should be aware of before you even embark on this venture. 

1. Time 

Most people get excited when they think of organic gardening. The idea of cooking and/or eating your own vegetables and fruits seems so rewarding. An important point to note is that there’s a lot of time and effort that’s involved in organic gardening. 

Look at your schedule and see if you have the time for it. If you’re a busy career woman or a businessman who travels often, having an organic garden may not be a good option for you, if there’s no one to tend the garden when you’re not around. 

2. Knowledge 

Before even planting a single seed, you should have read several books on the topic and have a rough idea of what it’s all about. This will allow you to avoid many of the common mistakes that people make. 

Knowing what alternatives to use besides insecticide, how to check the pH of your soil, what are the most suitable crops to grow, etc. are just some of the things you should know.

3. Planning 

Planning is probably the most crucial requirement of the lot. You must know how much space you have for your gardening and what crops you will be growing. 

Is the climate suitable for what you’re growing? Is there enough space? What tools do you need? 

Like Dale Carnegie once said, “An hour of planning will save you 10 hours of doing.” 

4. Budget 

While organic gardening is relatively inexpensive once you’re experienced, there are some initial costs that can add up when you’re first starting. You need to get tools, seeds, make your soil fertile,  purchase or make your own compost and so on. 

It would be a good idea to calculate just how much money you need before you get started. 

5. Your Purpose 

Knowing why you decided to do organic gardening will help you stay focused and consistent in the long run. Once the initial excitement is over and the daily work begins, it may seem like a chore to water the crops daily and constantly create compost for your garden. 

Write down your objective and what you hope to achieve with your garden. Do you want healthier food? Do you want to save money on your groceries? Is this a hobby? Does it give you happiness? 

Write it all down and frame up this little note and hang it somewhere in your garden. This will help you remember why you started if you ever feel like giving up. 

Organic gardening can be a very rewarding activity that allows you to save money, eat healthier, get exercise and get in touch with nature. It doesn’t get better than that.

What You Need for Organic Gardening 

Before you start an organic garden, you can expect to fork out a few dollars on several things that you will need. This may deter some people who are on a tight budget. However, if you’re growing vegetables and fruit, you will enjoy cost savings in the long run and recoup your investment.

In some cases, if your garden is big enough to generate more produce than you can consume, you could actually sell the excess to the neighbors at rates lower than the supermarket and make some money out of it.

Here are some of the basics you’ll need:

Gardening soil

Gardening soil is different from potting mix and the two shouldn’t be confused. You’ll need good gardening soil that’s rich in nutrients to grow luscious plants.

Soil pH meter or test kit

You can purchase one of these inexpensively from Amazon and use it to test the acidity of the soil. Ideally, your soil should have a pH value that’s somewhere in the middle of the scale. If it’s too acidic, you may wish to use compost to neutralize the soil.

Moisture meter

Too much of anything is bad. Overwatering the soil can cause the plants to die. Underwatering is just as bad. Avoid these problems by using a soil moisture meter to see if your plants and soil are getting just the right amount of water. You can purchase one for less than $20 on Amazon.

Compost

Almost all types of organic gardening will require compost to provide nutrients to the soil and plants. Unlike conventional gardening which uses fertilizers and chemicals, you need to keep things natural by avoiding these artificial methods and just using compost.

You may choose to purchase the compost from a store or you may make it yourself. If you’re doing it yourself, you’ll need extra equipment like a compost bin and a compost turner to aerate the compost.

Seeds, pots, starter mixes, heat mats

Depending on what types of vegetables, herbs or fruits you’re growing, you’ll need seeds and starter mixes to ensure that the plants germinate successfully. Plan on paper what you’ll need and speak to the person at the supplies store to find out what the best brands are.

If you’re buying your supplies from Amazon, look at the reviews and see which products have the most positive reviews.

Gardening equipment

It goes without saying that you’ll need a pair of gardening gloves. You’ll also need a trowel set with the necessary tools. They should be made of aluminum so that they don’t rust. 

The handle should be made of rubber for better grip and there should hang holes in the handle so that you can hang them up neatly when not in use.

You’ll also need a watering can so that you can water your crops evenly. Avoid using a water hose that may be too hard on the soil, especially when you’ve just planted seedlings.

Row covers/ netting

When you’re first starting an organic garden, you’ll probably have a lot of seedlings. These frail little plants will need all the protection they can get. You’ll need to use row covers to protect them from the vagaries of the weather.

Use netting around your seedlings once they get stronger. This will prevent pests like rabbits, moles, etc. from feasting on your little vegetable plants.

Organic gardening 101

These are just some of the basic preparation and equipment you’ll need. You may choose to buy extra stuff like gardening apparel, etc. It all depends on your budget. Always plan your project on paper and calculate your costs.

Do your research and see which important equipment you’ll need. If possible, join a few organic gardening forums online and ask more experienced gardeners for advice on what you’ll need and the best brands and prices around. This is a very helpful community and you’ll learn a lot from them.