What Is Organic Vegetable Gardening?

Vegetables should be part of everyone's diet. If you don't want to spend a
little bit more for those organically grown and sold in the supermarket,
perhaps you should consider planting your own in the garden. It is very easy to
do that even your kids can join in the fun.

Organic vegetable gardening is the "in thing" these days as people have
realized that the use of fertilizers and pesticides do more harm than good. Yes
it will make the vegetables bigger or enable the farmer to harvest them faster
but the chemicals used in making this happen could be detrimental to the health
of those who eat it.

But since the early farmers never did that and relied only on sunlight and
irrigation, this concept is making a comeback. These will also enable you to
this at home since you have access to the three most basic things namely soil,
water and sunlight.

What kind of organic vegetables can you plant? Well, just about everything.
Some examples of these include broccoli, cabbage, carrots, onions, potatoes and
a lot more. You just have to know which of them can be planted during the
different seasons of the year.

Proper drainage is important for your vegetables. If there isn't, you can check
if it is feasible to grow these using a raise bed.

When you have done your research, you can now buy the seeds from the store.
These are usually sold in packets so don't forget to read the instructions
before using them.

Planting the seeds for your organic vegetable gardening is the second phase of
this operation. The challenging part is making sure nothing happens to it until
the time comes that this will be harvested.

Your vegetables may be under attack by pests, weeds and other animals. To
prevent this from happening, you need to get a bird, a toad and even other
insects to eat them. For weeds, the only thing you can do is pull these one by
one from the ground. As for other animals, putting up fences and using animal
hair, baby powder or deodorant soaps seems to be a good deterrent.

Mulch is another solution. This can be made from chipped barks, garden compost,
leaf moulds and manure. It must be applied at 3 to 4 inches or 8 to 10 cm from
the ground in order for it to be effective.

Some organically grown vegetables can also be done indoors. Take for example
that tomato that can be grown using an organic container made out of clay,
plastic or wood. Just don't forget to give it some water daily and sunlight so
it can grow.

You can place the containers outside during the day and if the weather is too
cold, bring them indoors and put them somewhere else like in the western or
southern windows of your home.

One more thing you have to remember about growing organic vegetables in such
containers is not to use soil but rather a mixture of peat, perlite and
vermiculite.

Organic vegetable gardening is challenging but it pays off when you are able to
reap what you sow. This means additional savings and maybe even a small business
if you want to sell whatever excess you have in the market.

Organic Vegetable Gardening Is the Way to Go

In the US, farming is $6 billion industry. To keep it that way and with the
health and welfare of the public in mind, the Department of Agriculture has
taken steps so farmers can shift to organic farming. This does not only save
money but also has some health benefits.

But first, we have to know what organic farming is. This is a technique that
has been practiced by ancient civilizations that simply relied on the land they
worked on, the sun and the water to make the harvests grow.

It was only when scientists invented fertilizers and pesticides that we moved
away from this technique because it was thought that this will make the crops
bigger and harvesting faster.

Unfortunately, the use of fertilizers and pesticides has done more harm than
good. The chemicals used are harmful but never in small dosages. But imagine
what if somebody consumes this in excessive amounts and unknowingly develops an
illness or their baby has birth defects.

Such threats are real which is why we have to do something before it happens.
Before the Department of Agriculture wanted everyone to go into organic
farming, tests were conducted.

The results show that organically grown vegetables have more nutrients and
vitamins compared to conventional farming. The same goes for its taste.

Organic vegetables do not have hydrogenated fats, artificial flavor or
coloring, sweeteners, additives, preservatives or residual antibiotics. This
means that what you get is all natural. But don't forget to wash these first
before it is cooked to remove any residue from the compost used in helping it
grow.

The government or the Department of Agriculture is not the only one who should
push farmers to shift towards organic farming. You can do your share by talking
to the farmers themselves as they are the ones who plant them. You can also
start planting organically grown vegetables yourself because they cost a bit
more in the supermarket.

Before you start planting, check how big is the area so you have an idea what
kind of vegetables can be planted given your limited space. You then need to
buy the necessary tools and make some of them yourself. This information can be
found online, in books and from the gardening store.

If you don't want to start making an organic vegetable garden using seeds, you
can get starter plants instead but be aware that they cost a bit more and this
takes the thrill out of gardening.

But if money is no object to you, by all means get this from the store. Just
make sure that there is a stamp which certifies that this has been approved by
the Department of Health, Quality Assurance International, California Certified
Organic Farmers or the Oregon Tilth Farm Verified Organic.

If everyone does their share, no one will use chemicals and fertilizers
anymore. Everyone can live healthy and eat healthy. At the same time, we are
able to protect the environment so future generations will be able to use the
land we have used to plant their crops in the future.

Organic vegetable gardening is truly the way to go. If you noticed, some
restaurants have done their share as well by making people know that whatever
they use is organic.

The Principles of Organic Vegetable Gardening

More farmers are getting into organic vegetable gardening because it is cost
effective and they are able to produce almost the same yield of crops. You to
can do this at home but first, you have to understand the principles of organic
vegetable gardening.

First, organic vegetable gardening does not use any fertilizers, nutrients or
pesticides. Nature is your partner here because you will be using two things to
make it all work namely sunlight and water. We don't produce these ourselves but
you have to find the ideal area and provide adequate drainage.

Aside from sunlight and water, you can help the crops grow by using compost
heap from leftover food, chipped bark, garden compost, leaf moulds and manure.
You can mix these all together and then spread this throughout your garden.

A lot of people are grossed about by manure. You don't have to scoop this from
the toilet because this is sold in stores. If you have a dog, put on some
gloves and put it there. Chickens are also great to have. Just let them roam
around in the garden.

Some people use dead animals or meat products. You don't put these in the soil
but leave it for a couple of weeks in the bin because maggots will soon appear
and this is what you use to help fertilize your garden.

Another helpful creature is the earthworm because it digs deep into the ground
and aerates the soil bringing various minerals to the surface which also
provides better drainage. This long pink colored creature also leaves casting
behind that experts say is five times as rich in nitrogen phosphorous and
potassium. Again, this can be purchased from the gardening store.

Organic garden is challenging since you have to deal with unwanted guests. Some
of these pests include armyworms, crickets, gypsy moth caterpillars, slugs and
squash bugs. Before, people used fertilizer to kill them but in an organic
setting, the best weapon is the toad that is known to eat more almost every
type of insect. If you have caterpillars or spiders lurking in the garden, get
a bird because this is not in the toad's diet.

In some cases, you don't have to buy a toad or a bird from the pet store. They
may come in to your home as long as you set the ideal environment for them. You
can put up a bird house or a small pond. Within days, you will have some new
occupants protecting your garden.

Other insect killers which you can get to do the job include the preying mantis
and the ladybug because they mark their territory and eat anything that dares
enter their domain.

Plants can also be used to protect your vegetables. For example, the rosemary,
sage or thyme is an effective deterrent against butterflies. Marigolds on the
other hand are effective against nematodes.

But despite all the flowers and creatures that nature has to offer, crop
rotation is seen as the best way to keep the soil fertile. If you planted this
kind of vegetable for this season, change it with another and the return to the
first after this one is harvested.

The principles behind organic gardening are very simple. You just have to be
practice it so you can harvest the vegetables you have planted weeks ago.

Organic Vegetable Garden Basics

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to plant vegetables. But if you want to do
this the old fashioned way which has been proven to be very effective, you
should know the organic vegetable gardening basics.

The first thing you have to know is what is organic vegetable gardening? It is
simply a way of farming that does not use any synthetic products which includes
fertilizers and pesticides. In short, you work with nature to get what you want.

When choosing the right vegetable to plant is knowing which of these are
suitable to the soil and the climate. If you live in an area that experiences
droughts, buy those that do not consume that much water.

Before you drop seeds into the soil, make sure the land is ready by tilling the
land so it is clear both of rocks and weeds.

The next step will be to add compost, bone meal or rock phosphate and greensand
to the soil to supply it with nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. If the pH
level of the soil is too high, add lime or sulphur to adjust it.

One more thing you have to do before planting the seeds is putting in organic
fertilizer. You can use recycled leaves, grass clippings, coffee grounds,
eggshells and kitchen waste which should be applied a month before planting
begins.

Then it is time to plant the seeds. Each seed must be spaced by a certain
distance the roots do not fight for water. In between each of the vegetables,
you can plant other things as well because the tighter the space, the lesser
the chances that weeds will grow.

Pests are the biggest threat to your organic garden. To fight them, you can use
birds, frogs or other insects. You don't have these creatures to fend off other
insects. You simply have to create the ideal environment by putting a bird
house or a small pond. Once they are in place, they will do the rest by
patrolling your garden and eating those who seek to eat your crops.

Putting up a few barriers can also help. Row covers are known to prevent moths
from landing and laying eggs. You can also use sticky traps and foil collars to
stop pests and borers.

There are also organic pesticides around but some of them can only kill one or
two kinds of pests. So before you buy them, make sure you know what you are
dealing with.

Crop rotation is the best way to preserve the fertility of the soil. This is
done after you harvest the vegetables so it is ready for planting once again.
For this to work, you have to plant in the same area a different vegetable.

Anyone can learn organic vegetable gardening basics and soon have their own
little farm in their backyard. It is fresh and you can pick this anytime you
want which is very convenient as these are only a few feet from your home.

Should everyone get into organic vegetable gardening? Perhaps because there is
a food shortage right now and most of the vegetables imported do not use this
technique. The government for its part has given incentives to farmers here to
shift to this method but its going to take more effort to persuade countries
that do business with the US to do the same thing.

Organic Vegetable Gardening Information

Organic vegetable gardening is making a comeback. This is because people are
more health conscious about the food they eat and in some places, there is
already a food shortage so some have decided to plant and grow these on their
own. To help you get started, here is some organic vegetable gardening
information.

Organic vegetable gardening does not use fertilizers and chemicals which can be
harmful to humans. It also does not use genetic engineering or irradiation.
Instead, it uses simple farming techniques like tilling the land, giving it
enough water and sufficient exposure from the sun.

When harvesting is finished, something new is planted which is better known as
crop rotation that helps keep the soil fertile.

Growing organic vegetables is not something that only farmers can do. This can
be done by homeowners since they can plan some of these in their own backyard.

The first thing that you have to do is choose what kind of vegetables you want
to grow. You also have to understand how big these can grow so it will be easy
to plot how many can be placed per row.

The next step is to check the condition of the soil. There are kits you can buy
from the store to check its fertility. If the soil is good, then you can start
by clearing it of rocks and weeds by mowing, pulling or digging them out.

You should then add compost, bone meal or rock phosphate and greensand to the
soil to supply it with nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. You can also add
lime or sulphur to adjust the soil's pH level only if you have to.

It will also be a good idea to till or dig in fertilizers using organic matter.
This must at least be an inch of sharp sand if the soil you have is made of clay
and then you rake the soil into beds and rows. You should leave it be for at
least a month before you start planting.

Don't forget to use organic mulch to blanket the garden. You can use ground
bark for that since it will decompose over a season or two.

You can also use a compost file made out of recycled leaves, grass clippings,
coffee grounds, eggshells and kitchen waste since these serve as a good
fertilizer.

The organic vegetable garden will grow but it will be always under threat from
weeds and insects. For that, you have to use other animals and insects to fight
these pests. You don't have to buy them because setting the ideal conditions
will invite them in to your home.

As for the weeds, you can get rid of them by pulling them out or spraying home
made vinegar as this stops them growing. If you plant thickly enough, you will
be able to discourage weeds from growing in between the plants.

Planting your own organic vegetable garden isn't that bad given that the only
ones who will be consuming what is planted are those that live in the
household. But it's going to be a bed of roses from the time you till the land
to the time that they will be harvested.

The advantage of working on a small spaced is that you can easily inspect the
whole area so nothing is left behind.

Information You Should Know About Organic Vegetable Gardening

Organic food products are the trend these days after studies have shown that
the age old practice of using fertilizers and pesticides happen to be harmful
to our health. This means that we have to change our approach and try something
else.

The concept of organic vegetable farming is not new given that ancient
civilizations have been doing it for years. We somehow forgot that thinking
that modern science could help us produce better crops.

But if we go back to the basics, we realize that the resources need to make
this work is right before our eyes.

First is the soil. Although 2/3 of the Earth is made up of water, the remainder
is what we use for infrastructure while a certain percentage of that is devoted
to agriculture.

The second thing you need is water. The ancients used an efficient irrigation
system so that water from the rivers would go to the land they planted on.
These days, we have the technology to divert water to these areas using pipes.
When it has not rained for a long time, we are able to make artificial rain.

Third is sunlight. We may not control its movement but if we are able to plant
our crops in an area that has sufficient exposure to the sun, whatever we plant
will grow.

But between the period of putting the seeds in the ground and before these are
harvested, farmers have to be on their guard. The crops are threatened by
insects. This is why people are advised to use other insects, birds and toads.

Organically made fertilizers also come to play here and some examples of them
include the application of compost, manure and cover cropping.

The soil where the vegetables were grown and harvested may not be ready to
plant the same crops so maintain its fertility, farmers are also encouraged to
rotate their crops.

To make sure that farmers who practice organic vegetable gardening are doing it
right, the Department of Agriculture together with the International Federation
of Organic Agriculture or IFOAM that has been in operation since 1972 sees to
it that certain standards are in place.

Some people will argue that organic farming is not able to produce the same
amount of yields as compared to those who use fertilizers and pesticides. This
is true however, in times of drought, these crops are still able to survive
because there is still enough water underground. This means farmers will still
be able to harvest and there is a steady supply of goods in the market.

It is expected that the demand for organic vegetables will grow in the future.
This is as more people become of food safety issues and how this affects the
environment.

You can do your share by trying organic vegetable gardening in your backyard.
The things you need are very affordable. You just need to practice what farmers
do in the fields.

In fact, such information can now be found in books and online so do some
research and put this into practice. It is fun and rewarding to see that what
you worked on for weeks is now being served on your dinner table.

Back then, you have to remember that there were only a few skilled jobs and one
of them was being a farmer.

Tips for Organic Vegetable Gardening

Organic vegetable gardening is easy. But to help you, here are some tips you
should know.

The most important thing to do is to decide what you want to grow. There are so
many vegetables to choose from but keep in mind that certain vegetables cannot
be grown because of the climate so take that into consideration as well.

So you want have a hard time taking care of it, choose those that are well
adapted to the soil, temperature, sun and shade exposure.

If you live in an area where droughts are frequent, make sure you are planting
drought resistant vegetables since it does not eat up that much water and can
withstand dry weather.

You should determine how much space you have. This will make it easy for you to
plot on a sheet of paper the layout of how you want your vegetables to grow.

You should mulch your vegetables with organic material. This can be made from
food waste, dead leaves or grass and manure. This helps conserve water, adds
humus and nutrients as well as discourage weeds from growing.

The best part is that you don't have to dig deep to put these in because 85% of
the vegetable's roots are found in the top 6 inches of soil.

Aside from compost, you can also use natural fertilizers and organic material
to help the vegetables grow. They also encourage native earthworms that are
nature's tillers and soil conditioners.

The biggest threat that could destroy your vegetables are pests. To get rid of
them, you should use other insects, birds, frogs. If your crops though have
been infected, spray infected stems and leaves with dilute soapy water and then
clear water that is very effective.

If you decide to buy vegetables that are grown instead of using seedlings, most
of these come in plastic containers. Be careful when you remove them so you
avoid tearing the outside roots especially if these have grown solidly inside
the container.

When planting vegetables, don't stick with just one but plant many different
kinds because this invites insects to take up resident in your yard.

Believe it or not, only 2 percent of the insects in the world are harmful. This
means the rest are beneficial. Some examples of these include ladybugs,
fireflies, green lacewings, praying mantis, spiders and wasps since they eat
insects that try to eat your vegetables. Another thing they do is pollinate the
plants and decompose organic matter.

Don't forget to remove weeds that come out in your garden. You can pull these
out by hand or spot spray it with a full strength of household vinegar. Best of
all, it is safe for the environment.

Practice crop rotation. This will make sure that the soil is always fertile.
When planting the new vegetable, avoid regular deep cultivation as this will
damage the roots, dry out the soil, disturb healthy soil organisms and bring
weeds to the surface that will soon germinate.

If you follow these tips, you will surely be able to have a successful organic
vegetable garden. You can plant and harvest them all year round so you don't
have to buy these goods anymore from the supermarket. That is assuming of
course you have a huge parcel of land to work with.

Sustainable Organic Vegetable Gardening With Organic Matter

Sustainable organic vegetable gardening can only happen if people know how to
use and prepare organic matter.

This is because it improves the soil and prevents it from compacting and
crusting. It increases the water's holding ability so earthworms and other
microorganisms can aerate the soil and it slows down erosion and in later
stages of decay so that organic matter is able to release nitrogen and other
nutrients which help the crops grow.

Such a technique is old but is now making a come back because the conventional
method of using synthetic materials like fertilizer and pesticides have ruined
the soil and depleted it or organic matter so this cannot be used for
replanting.

So where do we get this organic matter? Believe it or not, the best form of
organic matter comes from animal manure. The fresher the better because you can
apply this directly to the soil but this should only be done in the fall and
plowed down to give it adequate time for sufficient breakdown and ammonia to
release before the planting season begins.

If you don't have access to fresh animal manure, you can use the dried version
that is being sold in nurseries and garden stores.

For those who don't to use manure, you can use compost instead. This can be
made from lawn clippings, leaves, food waste and other plant materials. It is
cheap but its nutrient content is very low.

There is another kind of manure better known as green manure You don't use any
waste by animals here but rather growing a cover crop in your garden and then
plowing it under so you are adding organic matter to the soil. The best way to
maximize this is for you not to use the garden for one season.

You can also seed the green manure in the fall and then turn it under with a
plow or a large tiller in the early spring. That way, you can use your garden
normally while at the same time building up the soil.

Annual ryegrass is a good example for green manuring and covering. THIs should
be seeded 1 to 2 feet per 1,000 square feet. If this is not available, you can
use seed rye or wheat and place it 3 to 4 feet per 1,000 square feet. This
helps prevent weeds from growing and in order for this to be effective, wait at
least 2 weeks before you start planting.

Sewage sludge is also a good source of organic matter. There are two types
namely digested sludge and dried activated sludge.

The first is relatively low quality. It contains from 1 to 3 percent of
nitrogen and should only be applied during the fall. But you should be careful
when you use it because it sometimes contain metal ions that are not good to
use on vegetable gardens.

The second which is the dried activated sludge has been separated from coarse
solids, inoculated with microorganisms and aerated. This is better than the
other one because it is filtered, dried in kilns and screened. It contains 5 to
6 percent of nitrogen and 5 to 7 pounds can cover an area of 100 square feet.

Take note that these two types are different from raw sewage. That being said,
never use that to garden any soil.

Sustainable organic vegetable gardening can only happen with organic matter.
Now that you know this, choose from manure, compost or sludge.

Organic Vegetable Gardening Can Be Done Using Containers

Organic gardening isn't only for farmers or people who have backyards. This is
because it can be do using containers.

Organic vegetable gardening containers have advantages. You can use it decor
every time you decide to let it get some sunlight when you place it by the
balcony or patio. If the weather gets too cold outside, you can bring it
indoors. But best of all, you don't have to deal with certain threats that can
only happen outdoors like weeds, insects or soil borne diseases.

Organic vegetable gardening containers do not use soil. You need to use potting
mix that is much lighter and provides excellent drainage. You need to use
organic fertilizer though to help it grow. An example of this is mulch that can
be made from chipped bark, garden compost, leaf moulds and manure which helps
prevent it from drying out.

Another thing the plants inside these containers need is a lot of water.
Ideally, you should put these in small amounts at least 30 minutes after an
initial watering because putting in too much could drown your plant.

The containers can be hung aside from just putting these on the ground. If the
container that you purchased does not have any holes, make a few.

By now you may be asking, "What are the ideal vegetables to be planted in these
containers?" To give you can idea, these are bush beans, capsicum, carrots,
eggplant, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach and tomatoes.

You know that organically grown vegetables need sunlight. If you have a lot of
these containers and it is getting pretty windy outside, you can protect them
from falling by grouping these together with the taller ones with these as your
walls.

The best organic vegetable gardening containers are those made from clay,
plastic or wood. The length of the roots and its width is the deciding factor
when choosing what size you will buy from the store. For instance, if your
vegetable happens to have 6 inches of roots and grows to about 10 inches wide,
it is best to get a container that measures 8 inches deep and 10 to 12 inches
wide. You must always give room for allowance as this may grow bigger.

We mentioned earlier that one of the advantages of the organic container is
that you don't have to deal with insects. But sometimes, bugs like the hookworm
manage to get to your plant. If this happens, just bring the container to the
sink and wash the leaves. Should there be slugs, get rid of them by sprinkling
diatomaceous earth on the soil.

If there are aphids on your vegetables, fight fire with fire by getting other
insects to do the dirty work. A pack of ladybugs will do the trick without
causing any collateral damage.

The use of organic vegetables containers makes it people without a backyard the
chance to plant their own crops at home. This is ideal for residents living in
condos and apartments so they can save money to pay for rent or buy other
things when the sustenance they need is just sitting by the balcony or window.

If you want to try it, go ahead and ask someone at the gardening store for some
help to get you started.

You Can Do Organic Vegetable Gardening At Home

Anybody can do organic vegetable gardening at home because the principle behind
this is not that different from what they do in the farm. The only difference is
that you work in a smaller area and you get to choose what you like plant.

The first thing you have to do is find an ideal location. A lot of people do
organic vegetable gardening in their backyard. To make it work, whatever you
are planting should get at least 6 hours of sunlight everyday and access to
water.

Just like the ancient civilizations that relied on an efficient irrigation
system, you too should do the same by making sure there is adequate drainage
because if you don't, you will have to do organic vegetable gardening using a
raise bed.

When your ideal location has been found, it is time to cultivate the land. For
that, you will need your gardening tools and a pair of gloves to pluck out the
weeds on the ground. This might take a few days to make sure the area is ready
for planting.

You will only know if the ground you are going to plant your vegetable is a
good spot by testing it with some compost and mixing this with the soil. Should
it be able to integrate and stabilize itself with the soil, this means that you
can start planting your crops and see it grow in the succeeding weeks.

If you don't like to buy compost from the gardening store, you can make your
own using coffee grounds, dead leaves, grass clippings, food waste or even
manure. They also serve as excellent fertilizers.

As for your vegetables, take note that some of these may not be suitable in the
land you are planting these on. This is because of several factors that are
beyond your control such as the weather, pests and other plant borne diseases.
You can avoid making this mistake by doing some research on what vegetables are
ideal to plant in your area and asking fellow organic gardeners.

One way to protect the organic vegetables you are planting is by planting a
variety of them at a time since some of these protect each other from pests.
Such practice is better known as crop rotation especially when you want to
adapt with the weather in your area. Another defense system that works is
getting the help of Mother Nature as birds, certain insects and even toads have
proven to be useful.

If you live in an area where wild animals may eat your vegetables, you should
put up fences so they are not able to get through. Other tools you can use are
animal hair, baby powder and deodorant soaps.

Part of preparing the land is removing the weeds. But remember that new weeds
grow after some time so you have to inspect the area from time to time.

Planting your own organic vegetable garden at home will surely save you money
as these are quite expensive in the supermarket. If you have some excess stocks
when it is time to harvest them, maybe you can give some to your neighbors or
make some money by selling it at the local market which isn't that bad given
that you don't shell out that much cash for this investment.

Why Should Farmers Practice Organic Vegetable Gardening

Organic vegetable gardening has many advantages than conventional farming
methods. This article will discuss that in the hopes that more people will
realize that it has a lot of health benefits.

First, organic vegetable gardening does not use any fertilizers or pesticides.
The ingredients used in making these products are harmful to humans and though
they have been washed, people are still at risk of absorbing them when they are
eaten.

A study shows that organically grown vegetables have 50% more nutrients and
vitamins. This means that you are lesser at risk of developing certain health
problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer.

Also, organically grown vegetables taste much better because it is not tainted
with antibiotics. Think of it like powdered juice versus the kind that is
naturally squeezed. The first one is mixed with a lot of artificial ingredients
while the other is straight from the source.

It should be pointed out that fertilizers and pesticides makes the soil
unfertile. If this happens, we don't get the right number of vitamins and
nutrients from the vegetables we consume.

If this is true, why did people use fertilizers and chemicals? Because back
then, the use of such methods was thought to help increase food production but
studies later on have showed there was a flaw which is why this is being
corrected.

You can easily spot organically grown vegetables and other food items in the
grocery as they are placed in a separate area. You will notice that compared to
other products, they cost a bit more but don't you think it is better to buy
such products that are healthier?

Organic farming is not only practiced for vegetables. This is also being done
for fruits and animal livestock as well as research has showed that milk from
organic cows contain more anti-oxidants, CLA, Omega 3 and vitamins compared to
those that use hormones, antibiotics and the remains of other animals.

Given that, people should pressure their government representatives and even
those who have not yet shifted towards organic farming to do so immediately.

The government for its part has done their part by offering incentives and
subsidies to farmers in exchange for no longer using genetic engineering,
irradiation and sewage sludge.

This changes how the game is played because the goal here is sustainable
development and the only way to make sure the soil used is always fertile is
through crop rotation. This means planting one variant this season and changing
it with another in the next and so forth.

It isn't hard to implement. Farmers just need the willpower to open their minds
and make the change.

You can also get into organic vegetable farming yourself by doing this in your
own backyard. You just need to buy the supplies, prepare the land, protect it
from insects and other threats so you will be able to harvest it in the next
few weeks.

Whenever you buy organically grown vegetables, don't forget to wash them before
it is cooked. Although it is chemical free, you don't know what kind of compost
was used to help it grow.

You hit two birds with one stone when farmers and you decide to go into organic
vegetable farming. It keeps both the people and the environment healthy.

Why Is Organic Vegetable Gardening So Important These Days

Organic vegetable gardening seems to be the trend these days as more people
have become conscious of what they are eating. This is because conventional
methods which involve the use of harmful chemicals may enter our systems.

In order to control the problem, the US Department of Agriculture has issues a
new directive. This encourages farmers to shift to organic farming.

With organic farming, farmers will no longer need to plant crops using genetic
engineering, irradiation and sewage sludge. Instead, this will be replaced with
crop rotation.

Crop rotation is the practice of planting a different crop in the same area
where another crop once occupied. This keeps the soil's nutrients fertile so it
can be used again in the following season.

If you think about it, this approach is easier said than done as farmers are
accustomed to the old ways of doing it. To help them change their minds, the
government offers incentives and subsidies to farmers who decide to follow this
plan.

But the main reason why organic vegetable gardening is so important is the fact
that the crops harvested have 50% more nutrients and vitamins compared to that
of conventional farming methods.

This means the food they consume will reduce the risk of people suffering from
a number of diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and
certain cancers.

Children who drink milk will be able to get more anti-oxidants, CLA, Omega 3
and vitamins when this is extracted from pastured grazed cows that will really
strengthen their bones and muscles.

You can buy organically grown vegetables from the supermarket. The sad part is
the almost everywhere you go, although the packaging comes from Department of
Health, Quality Assurance International, California Certified Organic Farmers
or the Oregon Tilth Farm Verified Organic, most of these are only 50% to 70%
organic.

This is why homeowners who want to eat 100% organic vegetables are encouraged
to grow these themselves.

There are two ways to make this happen. First, you buy the seedlings until they
grow so you can harvest the. Second, you buy them fully grown and then just
plant it into the ground.

Most people prefer the first because it makes them proud to know that what is
served on the table was done from scratch.

In both cases, you have to prepare the soil, use compost and make sure that
these are safe from threats such as insects, weeds and other animals that will
eat what you have planted.

You can fight these with other animals, insects, organic fertilizers, deodorant
soap and a few other items which you can find out after doing some research.

For those who don't have a big garden, they can try growing these organically
grown vegetables in containers. They require more water than those planted in
the soil so give doses frequently.

There is no doubt that organic vegetables and other products are important
these days. If you value your health and those of your family you can buy these
from the store or plant it yourself.

For those who decide to buy organically grown vegetables, remember to wash
before cooking them. This will remove any harmful substances or residue that
may still be there which is invisible to the naked eye.

Watering of Your Vegetable Organic Garden

Ninety-five percent of the structure of the plant is composed of water. Almost
all of the processes of the plant involves water, and this is why watering is
one of the more important aspects of effective gardening for your vegetables'
organic garden. Together with light and carbon dioxide, water helps accelerate
the necessary processes needed in effective care of your plants.

With vegetables, you cannot afford to go wrong since this will provide
nourishment to both animals and humans alike. Water also acts a supplementary
source aside from rainfall.

An irrigation system is necessary to provide the required amount of water in
your garden. The natural sources of water, namely, precipitation and
underground water systems, are not often sufficient for the plants. Most of the
time, human intervention is required to ensure that the plants will reach their
maximum potential. The frequency of your watering is proportional to the
average amount of rainfall that falls on the area under which your garden lies.

The type
of soil also affects the quality of plants' water retention. The soils made of
clay are usually lauded for its excellent ability to hold water in, but
sometimes it goes overboard, so caution is required. Sandy sieves require more
assistance as they tend to slide off the water being placed on it. The addition
of organic matter such as a composting mix also helps improve the ability to
hold water.

There are also other external factors affecting the nature of watering in your
garden. During cold weather, the plants can easily drown in water and wilt. On
the other hand, the plants require more water when there is a surplus of
sunlight or humidity levels. The factors of wind and air movement can also move
the water from the plants. Also, the type of plant can affect the capacity to
hold water. More mature plants may find it more difficult to retain water than
the younger counterparts.

When watering the plants, make sure that you are able to soak the soil
thoroughly before doing anything else. Another thing to consider is observing
the plants at different times of day. Usually, plants look more wilted at night
time, but this is natural and won't usually require excessive watering. The
balance is usually obtained the following day. But if you see the plant wilted
during daytime, it is best to soak it with water to avoid it from wilting
completely.

Often, vegetables picked from well-watered plants last longer than their less
watered counterparts. Unless you are growing a cactus, water need not be used
sparingly. There are various ways to water your plants: by a sprinkler that is
manually controlled or automated, by hose or other means. Often, the sprinkler
is the most famous form of watering tool. Proper scheduling of the frequency of
your water sprinklers' operations will also ensure that your plants will be
consistently watered at different times of day.

It is also recommended that uniform distribution of water be maintained in
order to ensure that all the plants in your vegetables' organic garden are
well-cared for. Despite the need for frequent watering, also bear in mind that
there is also a need to conserve water, so make sure that there are no leaks
whatsoever beyond what your organic garden needs.

The History of Organic Vegetable Gardening

The history of organic vegetable gardening dates back many centuries ago as the
ancient civilizations relied on this livelihood and fishing to put food on the
table.

Back then, nobody used fertilizers and pesticides but as the world's increased
in population, the demand for food also went up. To fill the gap, scientists
decided to introduce fertilizers and chemicals to cut the harvesting time and
make the vegetables bigger.

Organic vegetable gardening only made a come back in the 1980's making an old
practice new again when the US department of Agriculture encouraged farmers to
do it by giving them incentives. This made more farmers join the bandwagon
which is also being done in Europe.

But organic vegetable gardening is not just eliminating the use of fertilizers
and pesticides. Farmers will have to use other means to make crop grows such as
compost, crop residue, crop rotation, integrated pest management and mechanical
cultivation in order to preserve soil productivity and combat pests.

The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements is the regulator
these days that tells farmers across the globe how this should be done. Their
recommendations help crops grow in 75 million acres of land across the globe.

Their strategy is focused on sustainable development so that the land used
today can only be used by the next generation as we have left for them a
healthy ecosystem.

Organic vegetable gardening has proven to be effective because since its
inception in 1980. To prove this point, one study has pointed out that the
amount of corn and soybeans produced using this method was almost the same
compared to those who used fertilizers and pesticides. The best part is that
this was achieved without using that much energy and without the risk of having
harmful chemicals enter our bodies.

It has been estimated by one university that if developing countries also
practice organic vegetable gardening, they too can also double or triple their
crops without wasting money on buying pesticides and fertilizes.

One thing you have to keep in mind here is that a percentage of vegetables
being consumed in the US are imported from other countries.

Because organic vegetable gardening is so easy, anyone can do it. This will
enable you to plant your own vegetables at home instead of buying these from
the supermarket.

The key to a successful harvest using organic farming is planning. You will
need the land to plant these on that has adequate sunlight and an efficient
drainage system so that they are able to get water.

If you are able to figure that out, the only thing you have to worry about is
what to plant because some vegetables do not well under certain conditions that
could be attributed to the climate and the type of soil in the ground.

Those who know what they can and cannot plant will save themselves time and
money so they can focus on what works.

The history of organic vegetable gardening has now come full circle as we are
doing what the ancients have practiced long before we were born. You can do
your part by buying those that are organically grown from the supermarket or
planting your own.

The end result is that we eat healthy without ever thinking if these contain
any chemicals that may be harmful to our bodies.

Steps to Success with Organic Gardening

If you have long been curious about organic gardening, you may now be familiar
with how things are being done in this process. But even so, you must not tire
out from learning new things to help you with this venture.

It is important to keep yourself updated with how things are being done. You
should be in tuned with the local gardeners in your area so that you can talk
things out with enthusiasts like you. If your goal in going organic in terms of
gardening is to help nature, then you are on the right track. For sure, nature
itself will find ways to help you out and for you to be able see solutions to
your problems just around the corner.

This is how generous nature is. And this is also the basic idea of the organic
process of gardening. It is to give back to nature what nature has bestowed you
with. In gardening, you will have to veer away with synthetic materials. You
only have to use what can be found on the ground or the environment around you.

For example, in fertilizers, you have the option to make your own compost. But
this is no easy task. Doing so will take a lot of effort and time on your part.
The first method to go about this is to gather dried leaves, certain animal
manure, vegetable peels and the likes on a compost bag. You have to attend to
it periodically to add moisture once in a while and to make sure that you are
doing things right.

The second method is to pile up the materials that you have gathered on the
ground. Pile those up in a space that you will allocate for your compost. You
just leave them there and let nature takes its course through those materials.
Through time, years even, that pile will be turned into compost materials that
you can also use as fertilizers for your garden. But you've got to be careful
to choose only the part that is not infested with pests. If not, you'll have
bigger problems with your garden.

The latter method will take longer. And because it is open and you cannot
regulate it, certain elements can be accommodated into the pile which may be
harmful to your garden. So when you are already using that, you still have to
check very closely so that you will retain your garden's health and beauty.

You have to remember that you must be picky with your plants. Ask a local
dealer what plants will grow easily on your location. You must not opt for
something you like that will not survive the site's conditions.

Learn the art of mulching. You have to do this periodically in your garden
beds. This will kill the growing weeds. You'll be able to monitor the
unnecessary pests and get rid of them. This also moderates the temperature of
the soil. And by mulching it, you'll prevent the soil from eroding.

Have a variety of plants in your garden. This way, you will be able to attract
beneficial insects. These are the types that would feed on the pests that your
garden may incur.

And the most important thing to do in organic gardening is to befriend your
plants. You must know all them fully well. This way, you will have an idea as
to what to do in cases where a problem struck and you have no one to help you.

Organic Vegetable Gardening Supplies

Organic farming is the trend these days because it is cheap and it is
environment friendly. Before you get started, you need to get some organic
vegetable gardening supplies from your local store.

These supplies consist of different things. Soil is perhaps the most important
given that this is where you will plant your vegetables. Before you prepare the
land or put in the seeds, you have to check its condition.

Since you are not sure about its pH level, you should get some compost first
and put it there as it neutralizes it if this is too high as well as provide a
range of nutrients to prepare the soil for cultivation.

Some people don't buy compost but make it themselves. For that, you can use
weeds, dead leaves, vegetable and meat waste products and manure. This is
because they are biodegradable and at the same time, cuts down the amount of
garbage that is dumped in landfills.

When the soil is ready, you will then get the seeds. Before you throw them in,
make sure that they will be able to survive your existing environment. For
that, you should do some research online or talk to the sales clerk at the
store before you buy them.

If you don't want to buy seeds, you can also buy vegetables that are already
growing. When you select them, be sure to check the leaves so you avoid getting
those that are already discolored or wilted.

Pests are the biggest threats among farmers and gardeners. For that, you can
use other insects, birds, ladybugs, praying mantis' and the toad. Another is
the use of horticultural oils that break down quickly and pose little toxicity
to humans or pets.

Weeds are another problem. For that, you will have to put on your gardening
gloves, get on your knees and start pulling them from the ground. It is also
possible to spray the area with horticultural vinegar or corn meal gluten
granules that prevents weeds from germinating and releases nitrogen into the
soil. Keep in mind that this should be applied during early spring or fall when
most weeds come out.

Another non-toxic chemical you can use to combat weeds are fish or seaweed
based liquid based fertilizers. These also release nitrogen, phosphate and
potash that is good for your crops.

For people who don't have a backyard, you can still do organic farming by
buying pots. Ideally, you should use those made out of clay, plastic or wood.
You just have to water them often since they need more water being in here than
out in the garden.

Having all the organic gardening supplies ready will make it easy for you to
plant your crops and harvest them so you are ready to rotate this with another
variant. If there is more than 1 gardening store where you live, perhaps you
should compare their prices first before buying them.

Should there be some items that are not available, try looking for them online
because you can probably get a few good deals here as well as some tips and
advice.

There is truly no other way to garden other than organic vegetable gardening
that saves you both money and makes sure what you eat is chemical free. So go
ahead and experience the difference.

Fertilization 101: Growing Vegetables in Your Organic Garden

When we talk of fertilization for your effective gardening of vegetables in
your organic gardening, it is almost similarly attributed to mulching. But
there are also other aspects such as the introduction of fertilizers that can
be available naturally or commercially. Simply defined, it involves placing
matter, whether organic or inorganic, around your plants.

Aside from providing fertilization, it also protects your soil. Whether your
garden is subjected under heavy rains or at the risk of weed infestation, the
mulches provide ample protection and strengthening needed to supplement the
natural growth processes of your organic garden vegetables. Aside from this, it
also regulates the temperature of the soil; it can also render aesthetic appeal
to the garden because it will help improve the ground texture and overall
appearance.

If you have effectively established mulches in your garden, less watering is
required because it will also help the plants retain water. The plants will
also experience better growth levels and moisture retention. Although known to
help in weed control, it does not directly fight or ward off the weeds. It just
helps as a filler for bare areas that are at higher risk of weed infestation.
Also, persistent weeds can die down as it forces itself in the soil surrounded
with mulch.

For the case of organic mulches, bacteria has the tendency to eat up the
much-needed nitrogen, so in some cases, you might be required to inject
additional dosages of nitrogen. Some examples of materials you can use for
mulching include lawn clippings, compost mises, leaves, straw, sawdust, wood
chips. These are examples of organic materials for mulching. If you opt for
inorganic, it often has its optimum results on plants placed on a hill.

When fertilizing your soil via mulching, you may be required to be more
meticulous with your organic garden. You might be required to water more
frequently when you are using inorganic fabrics, and then you must also watch
out for the greater tendency to wilt because the ground cover tends to be more
crowded.

Testing your soil is a good way to ensure effective fertilization. you cannot
afford to buy fertilizer by the bulk, only to realize that it is not the right
fertilizer suited for your soil. The best way to make sure that you are able to
score the best fertilizer is by means of doing an actual test on a sample of
soil taken from your garden.

Once you apply fertilizer, it is often recommended to maintain it. Having a
budget for high quality fertilizer is also a good must-have for a gardener,
especially a beginner. There are also some fertilizers solely tailored at the
beginning of the planting process and need not be maintained all throughout
your gardening activities. In any rate, make sure that you are getting your
money's worth and have thoroughly proven for yourself that the given fertilizer
you are putting on your garden has been tried and tested on your soil type.

Even if you put fertilizers or inorganic mulches in your soil, the organic
matter is still the best source of fertilization for your plant, and it adheres
closely to the natural growth process of plants. If at all possible, avoid
introducing too much chemical interventions in your soil so that the plants
will get used to growing and maximizing its potential via natural means.

Growth Control for Efficient Gardening of Vegetables

A good garden aficionado must know that cultivation or weeding is effective for
growth control. Weeds are your garden's most persistent and cloying enemy. You
need to be able to know how to handle weeds in order to foster growth control
for your organic garden. If you let weeds take over, they will completely
obliterate your capacity to yield a rich number of vegetables.

They are the number one stealer of nutrients, sunlight and revenue for farmers,
so the earlier you try to eliminate them, the better will it be for your
gardening. This can eat up your time to such extremes at certain seasons, but
monitoring weeds and eliminating them is definitely worth your time and effort.

Weeds are usually much harder to remove when they have matured. So it might
require you a keen observing eye to really check out and inspect your garden
for the earliest appearances of these culprits. Cultivating your soil regularly
in the garden will help eliminate the younger weeds. Once you let those young
weeds take hold and be firmly established in the garden, it will become a more
herculean task to try to remove them from your garden.

Seasons also affect the appearance of weeds. Warm-season and cool-season weeds
proliferate at different times of the year, and it will be your advantage to
recognize which weeds are in season so you can more easily expect them in your
garden and prepare your anti-weed arsenal more effectively. Some of the weed
seeds may also lie in your garden, so make sure that you are able to cultivate
your soil properly to remove them as well.

Make sure that your ground remains filled up with the good stuff. If you leave
any portion idle or bare, the weeds are more likely to secure that area for
their growth. If you are unable to fill the entire area with plant outgrowths,
at least have a good cover to keep the weeds from invading your plant territory.

In the case where weeds have already grown when you discovered them, chopping
them off from the ground is the most efficient way to remove them. Some of
these weeds may cease to be removed, and will not stop even when you cut them
down. But repetitive cutting down of those weeds will help eliminate them for
good after some time.

The use of herbicides and pesticides is also advised, but it is not entirely
necessary when you are able to do good cultivation of your land. The pesticides
and herbicides, especially the commercially available ones, may prove to have
other harmful effects. It may also pose as a threat to other useful organisms
living in your garden. In any case, when you are presented with a huge weed
problem, you may use herbicides and pesticides but only sparingly.

Mulching and composting are also good ways to help maintain the soil and ward
off the weeds. Ultimately, you will not have to encounter huge problems in weed
management if from the start, you are able to keep them from thriving in your
garden in the first place.

If you are really consistent in digging up your space, you will have made the
most out of your vegetables' garden and have exercised true growth control
against weeds that can steal, kill and destroy your organic garden.

Organic Garden Guide to Controlling Pests for Your Vegetables

If there is anything that prevents your organic garden from yielding the best
vegetables, it will have to be the pests that invade and surround your area.
Now, if you are really serious about controlling those pests and keeping them
out of your garden for good, a volume of materials is readily available for you
to be equipped and knowledgeable about the various types of pests that can
threaten your crop.

The very hard thing about pest control is the fact that there are so many types
of pests that can invade your garden; it will really be quite a challenge to
recall them in one sitting, so full immersion to your gardening activities is
the only surefire way to inculcate ample knowledge on pests to watch out for.

One of the tried and tested tactics for pest control is by familiarizing
yourself with the famous insects and animals. These enemies of the garden will
really hamper the growth of your crop only if you let them.

Beetles

You have two options for beetles: manually remove them by hand or spray them
with insecticide that is poisonous to them. If left untreated, beetles have the
capacity to bore so much holes on your leaves and eat away at your vegetation
over time, especially when their population has already burgeoned. Beetles
comes in a variety of types, but the remedy for it is usually the two
techniques mentioned above.

Aphids

You will often find sticky groups of insects that are invading your garden in
hues of red if you have aphids in your garden. Fortunately, you can easily
remedy this by spraying it with soap insecticide or any similar material.
Aphids are common to almost every garden vegetable you can possibly imagine, so
if you are growing vegetables, you are most likely to encounter these sticky
organisms.

Cabbage Worms

Neem oil is the cabbage worms' worst enemy, so if you spray them with it, they
will be out of your garden in a jiffy. The thing is, you can determine whether
cabbage worm are in the garden if you find green caterpillar and holes on the
leaves of your plants. You can also pick them by hand if you are more
courageous or maybe spray them with insecticide if you don't have neem oil
handy at the time of infestation.

Cut Worms

If you see crawling, dull caterpillars that are brown in color, then you have
found cutworms invading your territory! Placing paper collars around plants
after digging around the area may help prevent cutworms from taking up your
precious soil and nutrients. Some chemicals may also work like insecticides,
but this is a general cure. You also need to dig a lot because the cut worms
have this tendency to snuggle up on your plants for shade and life.

Maggots

Maggots are extremely disgusting, and they tend to make your landscape ugly if
you do not try to get rid of them. Bleaching is one of the best ways to get rid
of maggots. If your organic garden is also situated beside a garbage bag, you
may choose to transfer your garbage bag elsewhere because leftover meals like
meat tend to attract these maggots and they might decide to branch out of the
garbage bin and into your garden.

There are many other kinds of pests that you can control in your garden given
the right handy tools and knowledge on how to best eliminate them from your
organic garden.

Feeding the Soil -- One Vital Aspect of Organic Gardening

There is an important aspect of organic gardening that you can very well relate
to. Imagine this. You are hungry. You haven't been fed. You haven't taken a
bath. You haven't pampered yourself. You've spent so much time working and
taking care of others, but you haven't tended yourself for your own good.

How would you feel? For a time being, you may be able to accept the fact. You
may still tire yourself out without asking for anything in return. But as the
days go by, you will feel the negative effects of the situation. You will no
longer have the kind of energy that you used to. Your body will deteriorate
until it can no longer function for the things that it used to do.

How is this related to the organic method of gardening? You can actually
compare this to the state of the soil. Soil is a very important aspect in this
type and all the other kinds of gardening. This is the base of everything. This
will be the bed, or the house of your plants. You must choose the right one in
the first place.

Depending on your location, the soils that you may acquire vary on such factor.
You should base the decision in picking out the plants on the types of soils
that are available in your area. Once you have picked the right kind, you are
now on you way to the first steps of your gardening venture using the organic
method.

Relating to the sample above, the soil must never be left untended. It must
never go hungry. Or else, what happened to the example may also happen to the
soil. You have to feed the soil. You have to bathe it. And you have to take
care of it just like how you tend to yourself or to the plants situated on your
garden.

You may know from your grade school days that the soil needs water, sunlight
and air. But you are doing everything organically now. Does it carry out any
differences? Yes, a lot. Although you still have to feed your soil and the
plants on it enough sunlight, water and air, you have to add something else.
You've got to have organic matters placed on the soil.

Have you ever heard of composting? This is the process where you culminate
decaying matters like leaves, grasses, peelings of fruits or vegetables, even
manures and fish heads to act as your soil's fertilizer. This is organic
remember? You cannot resort to anything synthetic. This is one proof that this
process entails a lot of hard work than you can ever imagine.

Not only are you going to feed the soil, you also have to attend to it
regularly. Mulching is like massaging the soil to keep its shape. This way, you
will be able to get rid of the pests that your soil has gotten through the days
or months, however long you have been gardening.

This will actually help you prevent acquiring bigger problems. There are many
types of soils that need certain care and attention. For example, clay can hold
up water better than the sandy kind. You have to know those kind of details to
be able to improve on your organic gardening venture.

The Benefits of Eating Organically Grown Vegetables

If you have gone to the doctor, chances are he or she has told you to watch
what you eat. If you have been eating the right amount of fish, meat, fruits
and vegetables then you have nothing to worry about. But because some of these
contain harmful chemicals, perhaps you should start switching to organically
grown vegetables and other food products.

Why should you buy organic food products? Simply because majority of these
items have been genetically modified. Farmers have used various techniques,
chemicals and fertilizers to make them bigger even if they know that this is
dangerous to your health.

No magic or anything fancy is used to make organically grown crops. You only
need fertile soil, sunlight, water and some compost to make it work.

A recent study shows that following this simple plan helps vegetables have 50%
more vitamins and minerals than those made from conventional methods. If you
eat them regularly, you are able to have a healthier life.

You will probably feel like you will live longer too as organically grown
vegetables tastes much better. This is because although fertilizers and
pesticides have their advantages, they remove essential vitamins and nutrients
so you are not getting the required daily allowance that your body needs. In
short, you may think you are but in reality, this isn't what's happening.

Another benefit of eating organic vegetables and food is that you help the
environment. This happens because farmers will no longer use harmful chemicals
and put these into the ground.

The land which they have worked on can be planted by the next generation
because the land that has been cultivated for so long is still fertile.

When you go to the supermarket, one thing you will notice is that the price of
organically grown vegetables and other items are much more expensive than those
conventionally grown.

Should you always buy something if it is cheaper? In the case of food, the
answer is no because you can't put a price on the lives of those who eat it.

Surely, you also don't want to wait until someone you know gets sick so think
about the future and go organic.

Eventually, the price of organic items will go down when more farmers decide to
sell these in supermarkets. It is only because there is a small section of this
available now in the store but when it becomes an industry standard, things
will change.

Until that happens, you can probably plant and grow these in your backyard. You
just need the supplies especially the seeds or the fully grown plant to help you
get started.

Don't forget to do some research first so you know how to take care of them.
After all, sprinkling water every morning is just one of the many things you
have to do to help these grow.

Perhaps one of the biggest challenges in organic food is that the US imports a
lot of vegetables from countries that are not yet practicing this back to the
basics method.

But with a little help and encouragement, they too will come around so everyone
not only here but in other countries as well will be able to enjoy the benefits
of organically grown vegetables and fruits.

The Main Antagonist of Your Organic Gardening Venture

Yes, you are helping nature by doing organic gardening. But nature has a bigger
scope than soil, plants, sunlight, water and air. There may be good insects that
will be beneficial for your organic garden. But there are certain pests that you
have to be vigilant about in order to get rid of them while you still can.

If you are only starting on this hobby or business, however you'd like to put
it, you may be wondering about the pests. How are you going to be able to get
rid of them without turning to synthetic pesticides. The short and quick answer
is that you buy an organic one. There are actually many brands that are
available commercially. You just have to ask around what are the types that
will work best in your location and with the kinds of greens that you are
growing on your garden.

But before you start choosing the right pesticide, you must be fully aware what
the problem really is. To do this, you must inspect your garden thoroughly. Take
down notes. You can also take pictures if you are not so sure about the kind of
pests that are pooling on your garden.

Then you can go to the store and detail to an expert the problems that you are
having. This way, you will be given a brand that will best fit and solve the
problems that you have on your garden.

The other way that you can do so that you won't have to turn to pesticides,
even the organic type, is to do things manually. Yes, this is harder. But just
consider this as a challenge that you need to overcome to help yourself become
an expert.

If the plants are infested by unnecessary pests, what could be the problem? One
root of the problem could be the plants themselves. They may be depressed or
stressed. What have you done to them? This type of gardening means that you are
to take things personally. You are being one with nature. So this succeed on
this, you've got to take things seriously.

What makes a plant depressed? You may not be spending enough time with it. It
may sound weird, but talking to your plants or singing to them may help you
with the whole process. Throughout your gardening trek, you should be able to
familiarize yourself with all the plants in your garden. You have to know how
to make your plants healthy, happy and productive.

If you have to pick out the pests manually, then do it. This can be done as
long as there are only few that can be found on your garden. You must only
resort to the pesticides once the situation becomes uncontrollable.

You can also add some insects and animals that will help you kill the pests.
This way, you are still staying in touched with nature and helping in the
process of food chain. For example, a lady bug would eat up an aphid banquet.
Frogs and lizards can also help you sort your problems with these pests.

Above everything else, whatever problem you may encounter in organic gardening,
just think about nature. How are you going to solve things that you will still
be able to help nature and be one with it.

Helping Nature through Organic Gardening

If you are pondering about organic gardening, keep doing so. Not many people
are like you who think of such causes for the benefit of nature. Nature may be
smiling at you now. With the advent of all the problems with the world around
us, specifically the global warming, such simple steps to ease the bigger
problem is already a big leap to be carried out.

This will take a lot of hard work. So you better be prepared for it. Once you
are already into the process, take time to familiarize yourself. Do not give up
just because of a minor problem. Just think of it like nature is testing you how
big your love for it is. So prove it worth your tears and fears regarding this
type of gardening.

What makes this hard? Unlike the ordinary kind of gardening, going organic will
remove from you the freedom to use just about anything that is commercially
available as long as it will help you with your venture. No way. You cannot use
synthetic materials on this one. Everything must be organic. It must come from
nature itself. You must have done it using elements that can be found on the
ground. Or you can also buy those available in the market as long as they claim
to be organic.

By going organic, you'll be able to help nature replenish its resources. Yes,
you get from it all the materials that you will be needing for this task. You
will get the dried leaves, the sawdust, some vegetable peels and other
materials from the ground. This is also your way of cleaning your surroundings.
But such materials can be used as elements in compost.

You can actually do your own compost by going over some books on how this can
be done. You can also turn to someone who is successful with this type of
gardening and ask that person for tips and tricks. You can use the result of
that compost as fertilizers on your garden.

Finding a guru may serve a lot of purpose as you go along in this type of
gardening. It doesn't matter if you will just be doing so as a hobby or you
will turn it into a business. So start asking around and look for that person
who can further mentor you in the trade of doing the stuff that surrounds such
method of gardening.

By having the aid of an expert, especially if you are only beginning on this
task, you will be better at helping nature. You will know what type of plants
you can grow in what type of soil. You will have a clearer view as to how the
elements of the ground can contribute to the success of your project. You will
know what to do in cases of trouble with regards to the growth of your plants
or the emergence of pests on your garden.

Nature will really love you for the way you will only utilize organic materials
for the purpose of growing green things on your garden. And you will benefit a
lot in the process of organic gardening. You will be able to become a guru of
this type of task. You will be able to produce organic sources of food.

And you can also turn this into a business venture once you have mastered the
art and you are already harvesting more than enough.

Different Vegetable Gardening Styles

Each gardener has his own set of characteristics that make him fit for certain
gardening styles. If you know yourself and the right gardening style that will
fit your rearing of your organic garden and help you yield your vegetables
effectively, then you have pretty much gotten an edge over other gardening
enthusiasts. But what are the different types of gardening that you can look
out for? Here are some of the types that you can consider:

Residential Gardening

This is the most common of all gardening techniques. If you are just a beginner
and not yet inclined to produce vegetables for industrial reasons, then
residential gardening is for you. The primary purpose of residential gardening
is to sustain a family or two of a steady supply of vegetables and at the same
time, render aesthetic appeal to your backyard.

Residential gardening does not require too much space. It can also be
cultivated in window sills, balconies and other small areas that have
sufficient light source, easy to monitor and at the same time, easy to maintain
or free from pests. The good thing about residential gardening is the ease with
which it ushers the gardening wannabe from having no knowledge of planting to
expanding to other gardening styles, whichever deems the fancy of the budding
gardener.

Specialized Gardening

Specialized gardening involves non-residential areas that are known for its
green quality and are often marketed as such. Parks, botanical gardens,
amusement parts and other tourist attractions fall under this category. Often a
staff is required to maintain due to its size, so effective administrative
skills on top of gardening expertise may be required. It is also tailored for
delivering in profit to certain causes or organizations.

Impact Gardening If you are up to the challenge of blocking weeds with minimal
costs, then impact gardening is for you. It involves using a relatively small
space and maximizing its gardening potential. The plants are often crowded
together.

Indoor Gardening

Residential gardening is under the huge scope of indoor gardening. Other types
under this category include the gardens of conservatories, greenhouses and
academic institutions. Systems for heating and air conditioning may also be
found for certain breeds of plants. If you are the type of gardener who really
loves cultivating plants in and out of season, then indoor gardening is for you.

Water Gardening

If you want to garden with minimal supervision and love water organisms, then
water gardening is for you. This is a bit of a challenge for most gardeners
because it usually doesn't involve the initial conditions of other traditional
gardening techniques. The novelty of water gardening appeals only to those who
have ample water facilities to cultivate this type of gardening style.

Community Gardening

If you are motivated by group efforts, community gardening may be for you. It
involves concentrated efforts of the different members of the community to be
able to help make a greener place. It involves a huge scope, but the members of
the community are given autonomy to style their areas in whichever way they
choose.

Getting Started with the Hobby of Organic Gardening

Organic gardening can very well pass up as a hobby for starters. This can be
true if you are the type of person who has the passion for gardening. This may
not be everybody's cup of tea. So consider yourself lucky if you are among
those who can grow green things out of the blue.

Gardening requires certain skills. You have to know the type of soil, what kind
of plants you can place on them, how you will take care of those plants, aside
from the many other considerations that you must be aware of when you are
serious about it.

It may sound complicated enough for the beginners. But if you have been marked
as the one with a green thumb and you've already honed you skills on this, then
you might as well try the organic way of gardening. This method is particularly
special as well as hard. It will require you to double your effort as compared
with the regular stuff that you do with the usual gardening tricks.

The Concept The basic rule on this type of gardening is that you will only use
synthetic products in all your endeavor with regards to the task. This will
include the important elements such as the fertilizers and the pesticides.

You can actually get from the earth what you will then use for your organic
venture into gardening. You will use such elements to be able to grow something
new, these are your plants, your vegetables or whatever greens you may want to
grow. Do you get the picture? To look at it from a bird's eye view, it is like
working closely with nature. Or as others may say, this is like being one with
nature.

Organic Fertilizers Is there such a thing, you may ask? Yes, and you are the
one to make it. You can actually perform composting on the materials found on
your garden. You can use fallen leaves and twigs, animal manure, but this will
depend on the type, and many more.

Organic Pesticides This type of gardening wants, as much as possible, to stay
away from pesticides. But if you can't afford to pick the insects one by one by
your bare hands, then you can go to your local grocery store and ask for an
organic pesticide that is available commercially.

The old way really is to be vigilant with your garden and take off every pest
that you see. You should only turn to the organic pesticides when it becomes
too many and uncontrollable that you can no longer handle. You can also try to
bring in the animals that feed on those pests. This way, you'll have some help
in picking those pests up. And that is also helping the other animals satisfy
their hunger.

As a hobby, this may be time consuming. So if you cannot devote enough time
into it, might as well find a partner or drop the idea until you've found the
right time to carry on with the tasks.

Organic gardening really entails a lot of hard work. So you better be prepared
to perspire in the process. To ease your tiredness when you are already into it
too deep, just think that what you are doing is helping nature. This is your way
of giving back what nature has bestowed on you since the day you were born.

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