Planting an Organic Garden

Many people know about the benefits of eating organic fruit and vegetables. However, not many people regularly eat organic food. The biggest disincentive is usually the price. Organic veggies are invariably a lot more expensive at the local supermarket.

The good news is that anybody with even a modest vegetable garden can grow healthy organic vegetables for a much lower cost than they could buy them off the shelf.

Regardless, some people don’t bother cultivating their own vegetables, since they believe they are limited by space, time, and the knowledge to grow a bountiful vegetable patch. But organic gardening is not as hard as you may expect.

What makes a garden organic? Most gardeners describe organic gardening as simply rejecting the use of anything chemical or artificial to control insects or to fertilize plants. Instead, they apply natural materials and methods in order to retain the health of the soil, the food, and themselves.

Why is organic gardening such a good thing? Organic gardeners will tell you that the quality of the vegetable is nutritionally superior to anything you can get in the supermarket because the soils are kept nutrient-rich with natural materials. Not depleted and artificially fertilized. And the flavor is amazing.

An organic garden can also help you feel safer, since you control what goes into your food. You’ll feel the satisfaction of having produced your own organic vegetables and fruit, get the physical benefits that come from fresh air and exercise, and help to make the environment a lot better.

Mulching is one of the primary tips for a successful organic garden. The addition of old organic matter on a regular basis helps to keep the soil healthy and well functioning. Mulching helps the soil retain moisture, suppresses weeds, reduces temperature fluctuations, and can prevent soil crusting. Many organic gardeners notice that upon improving the health of the soil, plant disease problems readily decline.

The biggest reason to grow your own organic vegetables is avoiding the use of commercial pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals. This helps you keep your soil healthy, not just for one growing season, but for many, and it makes sure that you can feed yourself and your family pesticide free foods that are better for your health.

While avoiding synthetic chemicals, many organic gardeners approve of and use sprays and other preparations containing naturally occurring materials. Other pest control methods include the use of mechanical devices such as traps. Another favorite is to encourage other animals into the garden which like to eat the pests.

You never know, if the prices of organic produce remain high and concerns about food safety grow you might be able to convert that backyard vegetable patch into an income earner as well. For those less entrepreneurial, there is the opportunity to work on projects, such as neighborhood food growing, in order to benefit the whole community.

Whatever the scenario, there is no question that home grown, organic produce has a superior flavor.

Sarah Duke is publisher of The Vegetable Patch at www.vegetablegardensite.com, where you’ll find lots of information for starting a vegetable garden.