Organic gardening is the way of growing vegetables and fruits with the use of things only found in nature.
Why would one want to indulge in organic gardening?
1. One can easily make compost from garden and kitchen waste. Though this is a bit more time-consuming than buying prepared chemical pesticides and fertilizers, it certainly helps to put garbage to good use and so saves the environment.
2. Organic farming does not use chemicals that may have an adverse affect on your health. This is especially important when growing vegetables. Chemical companies tell us that the chemicals we use are safe if used according to direction, but research shows that even tiny amounts of poisons absorbed through the skin can cause such things as cancer, especially in children.
On the average, a child ingests four to five times more cancer-causing pesticides from foods than an adult. This can lead to various diseases later on in the child’s life. With organic gardening, these incidents are lessened.
Remember, pesticides contain toxins that have only one purpose – to kill living things.
3. Less harm to the environment. Poisons are often washed into our waterways, causing death to the native fish and polluting their habitat.
4. Organic farming practices help prevent the loss of topsoil through erosion.
The Soil Conservation Service says that an estimated 30 – 32 billion tons of soil erodes from United States farmlands every year.
5. Cost savings. One does not need to buy costly chemical fertilizers and pesticides with organic gardening. Many organic recipes for the control of pest and disease come straight from the kitchen cupboard. Sometimes other plants can be grown as companions to the main crop. An example of this is the marigold, which helps to repel aphids from vegetables.
Mixing 1 tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap and 1 cup of cooking oil can make a cheap garden pest spray. Put 3 tablespoons of this mixture in 1 quart of water and spray on plants.
6. A simple mulch of pine needles will help to suppress the growth of weeds as well as keeping the moisture in.
7. Organic gardening practices help to keep the environment safe for future generations.
Popular Questions
What are the seven essential tips for organic gardening?
The seven key tips for organic gardening include improving soil naturally, choosing suitable plants, using compost, conserving water, controlling pests without harsh chemicals, managing weeds, and encouraging beneficial insects. Start by testing your soil and adding mature compost or other organic matter. Combine these practices to build healthy plants and reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
How can the Seven Tips for Organic Gardening improve soil health?
Improve soil health by adding compost, aged manure, leaf mold, or other well-decomposed organic matter. Avoid disturbing the soil more than necessary, since excessive digging can damage its structure and beneficial organisms. Mulching around plants also helps retain moisture, reduce erosion, and gradually add nutrients as it breaks down.
What pest-control methods are included in the Seven Tips for Organic Gardening?
Organic pest control begins with prevention, including selecting resistant plants, providing proper spacing, and removing diseased leaves promptly. Handpick larger pests, use barriers such as row covers, and encourage beneficial insects with nectar-rich flowers. If treatment is necessary, identify the pest first and choose the least harmful approved organic option according to its label.
How should watering and weed control be handled in the Seven Tips for Organic Gardening?
Water plants deeply at the base rather than wetting the foliage, preferably in the morning to reduce evaporation and disease risk. Apply an organic mulch layer to conserve moisture and suppress many weeds. Pull young weeds before they develop seeds, and use drip irrigation or a soaker hose when possible to deliver water efficiently.
