Organic gardening tips on how to switch your garden to full organic. Compost, seeds, watering and testing the soil are all great steps to take.
Use Compost for Organic Gardening
Here’s really the only thing you need for your garden. Compost. That’s it. Move it along.
Just kidding. But compost is ENORMOUS in terms of understanding organic gardening and getting your hands back into the Earth, literally. Start a compost pile, either directly on the ground or in a tumbler (we use these on our NYC roof!).
Instead of throwing your food waste away, compost it. Those banana peels are going to turn into amazing compost, which your tomato plants are going to LOVE. Trust me. Compost tea is liquid gold for your plants!
Check the PH of Soil
Check the PH of your soil to see what nutrients are missing, and also if your soil is safe. This is especially important if you are starting a garden in an urban setting where toxic chemicals might have been used.
You can buy your own test, but I recommend sending it out to a school that specializes in organic agriculture matter. They will give you recommendations on how to get your soil to its max quality, organically.
No Chemical Fertilizers or Pesticides
When you’re ready to grow your garden, look for seeds and plants that are raised without chemical fertilizer or pesticides. If you’re going to grow from seed, then make sure to use organic potting mix as a starter, if you’re going to buy plants, then look at your farmers market and ask the farmers if they are grown organically.
Save Water, Use a Rain Barrel
Save your water, because you’re going to need it. This might not be an organic tip, but it’s more of a “Let’s care for Planet Earth” tip. Use rain barrels to collect your water, you can even make a rain barrel that collects off your shed roof.
I suggest watering your garden in the morning or early evening, never in the midafternoon because your plants are going to suck that water in and dry immediately. You’ll learn what plants need to be watered daily, while some others you might get away with watering only a couple times a week. Or you can grow potatoes that never need watering!
I hope you found these tips helpful for your next gardening season and take the next steps to make your garden organic! If you’re anything like me, you love making recipes with your garden harvest, so let’s make sure you’re eating safe food while at it!
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