| Organic vegetable gardening is basically a different | | | | top quality earth to grow our vegetables. As we |
| way to grow vegetables. It is by no means rocket | | | | work the land we should consider having it's ph level |
| science and as a matter of fact it is basically the way | | | | checked, we want to make sure that it is at a good |
| things were done for hundreds of years before | | | | level, not too high, or too low. |
| better living through chemistry came into our lives. So | | | | Now that the soil has been prepared it is time to |
| in order to better understand how things were done | | | | plant the seeds. (This of course assumes you have |
| before we need a better understanding of what | | | | taken the time to determine the appropriate items to |
| organic gardening is and isn't. | | | | plant in your particular garden). One of the things to |
| Organic vegetable gardening is a farming method | | | | keep in mind is the spacing between seeds. They |
| where no chemicals or synthetic products are used in | | | | should not be too close to ensure the roots get |
| the growing of vegetables. Simply put you work with | | | | appropriate water. At the same time you should |
| nature and use all natural products in growing your | | | | consider what you can plant in between the primary |
| vegetables. So there are some things we need to | | | | crops in order to keep the weed population under |
| learn or re-learn. For example, by picking the | | | | control. |
| appropriate plants to grow we will have a much | | | | Along with doing what you can to keep weeds out |
| better chance of actually reaping a harvest. We need | | | | you should also look at what can be done to minimize |
| to look at the big picture, for example: what kind of | | | | the inset and pest situation. For these it is good to |
| soil are we working with, what are the sunlight | | | | have birds, and frogs around to help keep the insect |
| conditions, how is the weather - very wet, dry, or in | | | | population to a minimum. You say you don't have any |
| between. By taking all this into account we can work | | | | birds or frogs, well how about putting up a couple of |
| with nature to get the best crop possible. | | | | bird houses, or a small pond to encourage frogs to |
| So while this may be more work, it will definitely pay | | | | come around. Did I mention that organic often times |
| off in the long run. We will be helping the planet by | | | | requires a little creativity and ingenuity to get it going |
| not using more chemicals, and we will be growing | | | | right. |
| organic vegetables which will be healthier for all | | | | As you continue your gardening you will also want to |
| consuming them. So it comes out as a win-win for all | | | | consider what it takes to keep the soil fertile. Here |
| concerned, (except for the chemical producers). | | | | crop rotation comes into play. Farmers do this all the |
| So let's get started, and the best place to do that is | | | | time, I live in the country now and have noticed over |
| at the beginning. Before we even look at putting | | | | the past few years that a particular field has corn |
| seeds in the ground we need to work with our soil. | | | | one year, soy beans the next, and another product |
| We need to add compost to our soil. Our compost | | | | the third year, or back to corn. So it is a good idea |
| can come from a variety of places, we could | | | | to keep this in mind before you start so you can |
| purchase it, or we could be working ahead of the | | | | keep it going year after year. |
| planting season and make our own compost bin. | | | | One of the biggest benefits from having a garden is |
| Composting is relatively easy to do, (I'll share some | | | | the ability to go outside and pick a fresh vegetable |
| tips in another article). Composting is also an excellent | | | | right off the plant and eat it while it still has the |
| way to help out the planet, by our not throwing | | | | majority of its nutrients. It tastes better, is healthier |
| away our table scraps, or using our dried leaves, | | | | and also has the other advantages mentioned |
| grass clippings and so on we can use those materials | | | | previously. So is it for everyone? Likely not, but if |
| to help enrich our soil. | | | | you haven't tried it you might want to try it out on a |
| We need it to be rich in nitrogen, phosphorous, and | | | | small scale and see if it works for you. Many people |
| potassium. These ingredients are essential to having | | | | have found it to be both relaxing and rewarding. |