Growing Vegetables Organically

Growing Vegetables Organically

One of the greatest benefits of having a garden is controlling how your food is grown. An organic garden is the perfect way to provide clean, healthful food to your family, and help protect the earth.

Some suggestions for your organic veggie garden:

1. Pay attention to your sunlight levels, climate, and soil type to help you choose varieties that will naturally thrive in your gardens' conditions, reducing the need for excess water or amendment.

2. Know your soil. Bring a soil sample to Wedel's for analysis. By understanding your unique garden site, you can know exactly what amendments are needed, reducing and possibly eliminating pests and diseases. Improving soil by reaching the ideal 5–6% organic matter also helps conserve water and prevent run-off.

3. Water wisely. Conserve water by watering deeply and less frequently, encouraging plants to build deep, water-mining roots. Make sure you are watering with just the right amount; under- or over-watering can cause plant stress, which acts like an open invitation to pest and disease. To slow water evaporation from your soil, water in the evening/morning and/or mulch to insulate and protect soil. You can also improve your soil's ability to hold water by adding organic material (see compost #6 below).

4. Prevention is key to a healthy garden. Rotate plants in the same families annually, so they are not grown in the same space for at least three years. Rotating reduces the potential for disease and depletion of the same nutrients year after year. Scout for pests, diseases, and natural predators weekly so you can identify problems early, and decide if action is needed.

If you find a problem, bring samples in to Wedel's plant doctors for help choosing the best organic controls. Invite beneficial insects to the garden by sowing flowering varieties that they are attracted to (e.g., borage, alyssum, and dill).This way, when pests arrive, you already have a hungry, resident army" waiting in the wings". If organic pesticides are recommended (like soaps or neem) spray in the early morning or evening when most bees are less active and avoiding spraying flowers to protect pollinators.

5. Sow a cover crop next autumn. Cover crops enrich the soil, fight weeds, and break up compacted soil naturally. Cover crops can also be used to create an insectary (a dedicated area that provides habitat for beneficial insects).

6. Compost. Reduce landfill waste by composting yard scraps and food waste. In gardens, this material can be converted into organic compost, which is a great soil amendment. Avoid composting any disease or pest-infested material.

See your garden as a living system and enjoy the beautiful journey!

Info from BotanicalInterests.com