Switching to Organic Gardening

There are a number of reasons to make the move to organic gardening, most importantly, the benefit it has to the environment. Organic gardening strengthens an environment by not utilizing harmful chemicals.

Increased attraction of birds, bugs and other species is prevalent in organic gardens. This does not mean that your plants should be dished up on a platter for insects to devour, but organic pesticides encourage the “good” bugs to thrive in your garden, as well as the insects that live on them.

The first step towards organic gardening is to dispose of all your chemical pesticides and fertilizers, safely. Chemical products are harmful to everyone and should be disposed of in an area not used by any person or animal. Carefully follow disposal instructions to ensure maximum safety. There are many organic pesticides, insecticides and fertilizers available at nurseries and gardening stores. There are also recipes for “home remedies” for much of the problems you encounter in a garden. Natural ingredients help preserve the lives of wildlife and humans. Some insects are beneficial to the garden because they eat the insects that ravish your plants, so learn to recognize them and leave them alone.

Research which plants to place next to each other that encourage growth and reduce insects. Many plants are natural pest deterrents, and others, such as herbs, attract birds to destroy the insects. Chives, coriander, rosemary, mint, oregano, sage and thyme are effective pest control herbs. Marigolds and nasturtiums act as a natural pesticide and insecticide.

Good compost helps return nutrients to the soil, making plants grow healthier and providing fodder for many birds and insects. Garden waste can act as great compost material. Your compost heap can be a hole dug into the ground, a trash can, or a wooden bin you’ve built yourself.

It is important for composts to aerate in order to be successful. You can add fruit and vegetable peels, eggshells, coffee grounds and tea leaves and bags, as well as shredded newspaper to the compost heap too. Never put dairy products or meat into the compost ñ not only will they smell awful, they also breed bacteria. Compost heaps should be moist and create rich soil after breaking down natural plant materials.

Remove invader species from your garden and use plants that are adaptable to the local environment. Planting indigenous plants saves water too, as these are acclimatized to local conditions and thrive in them.

Look at watering alternatives such as a rainwater tank or a grey water recycling system to save on water costs. Close watch to the time can allow for an irrigation system to achieve.

Organic gardening is an easy way to improve your environment. Change your garden over a period of time to reduce work and costs. After setting up a successful organic garden, you can now own a vegetable garden.

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