Organic Vegetable Gardening Hints

To begin organic vegetable gardening there are some tips to help make sure you grow the best possible vegetables without having a lot of problems from insects and diseases. Organic vegetable gardening has become very popular in recent years, mainly because of the mass spraying of harmful chemicals on our fruits and vegetables that we find in the grocery markets. We have finally decided it is time we started taking better care of our bodies by eating produce that is organically grown.

The proper soil is the first thing we need to consider for growing an organic garden by purchasing organic soil or by adding good compost to our existing soil. This ensures us the soil now has the vital nutrients that are needed for growing healthy vegetables. A well cared for soil not only has the nutrients but is also able to ward off weeds and pests. Before starting an organic garden, you may want to think about starting your own compost pile to mix with your soil. If you had a garden previously and used chemical sprays on your fruits and vegetables it may take a little time to remove any unwanted chemicals from the soil.

Starting your own compost pile is a fairly easy job but it is going to take a bit of time so the sooner you can start composting the sooner you will be able to add it do your soil. You add to the compost pile all the time by using waste products from the kitchen and your backyard, but it will take time before everything breaks down. When you add the finished compost to your garden it adds fertilizer to the soil of your organic vegetable garden and gives them what they need to become strong and healthy. By composting you are not only recycling waste products but you are giving back to the earth what was previously taken away. Spread the compost in the garden in about a 2 to 3 inch thick layer; this not only enriches your soil but creates a consistency that is needed for growth and good drainage.  

Some may find that it is difficult to control diseases and pests without using harmful chemicals. Sometimes organic farmers must deal with damage because they feel their organic measures are not always successful. There are other remedies such as natural substances and using beneficial insects to protect your vegetables. There are vegetables such as carrots, beets, onions, radishes, and garlic that will not attract pests or insects because of their odors or properties. You may also want to select vegetables that resist pests and diseases more than others.

One very effective way of controlling insects is by doing companion planting, if this is new to you, it is basically a method of planting certain plants such as the garlic and onion, in close vicinity to your other vegetables in order to repel the nasty insects that will eat your plants or those that attract the good insects that will defend them. This is an easy effective way of guarding against insects for any organic gardening project. Experimenting with some natural pesticides is also a simple way of keeping the insects out of your vegetable garden. You can try the lemon grass plant to ward off the mosquito and garlic around your fruit trees can repel borers.

Many organic growers like to grow the heirloom varieties of vegetables. These vegetables have been around for hundreds of years and their seeds get saved every year to be used again the following year. Even though these vegetables seem to be very reliable, they produce excellent quality harvests every year, but they generally are not the best pest or disease resistant varieties. Generally speaking, hybrids are better at producing greater quantities without being bothered by as many pests and diseases. Hybrids are a combination of best qualities of the parents. Besides starting out with the best quality seedlings and seeds that you can find, having a successful organic garden depends on the proper spacing of rows and plants, rotating of crops, organic matter, and planting some cover corps such as alfalfa.

Organic gardening is a wonderful way of feeding your family delicious and healthy food without the use of harsh chemicals. This type of gardening is the oldest, most inexpensive and practical way of growing vegetables. It not only benefits you and your family, but animals, your land, and the earth. You will also find that with organic vegetable gardening that the existence of insects will eventually decrease.