Six Ways to a Successful Organic Garden
57The key ingredient to a successful organic garden is planning. Staying ahead of garden pests and weeds makes using toxic chemicals unnecessary. Here are a few ways to stay ahead of garden tasks and garden organically:
Mulch
Organic mulch, such as shredded pine or cypress bark, is an organic gardener's best friend. Not only does it give your garden beds a professional, finished look, but it helps to maintain a constant soil temperature and to retain moisture. Organic mulch also adds nutrients gradually to the soil as it breaks down.
Choose Native Plants
Plants that are indigenous to your area grow better and require less care. It seems like common sense, but garden centers in the Midwest and Northeast are filled with tropical plants and bulbs that must be dug up every year or risk freezing. If you're not sure what's native to your area, drive around an old neighborhood and take note of the common plantings.
 | I garden on just 1/4 acre, so space-saving is a big issue for me. This pint-sized composter is easy-to-use, odor-free, and made of mostly recycled materials. Amazon Price: $109.98 List Price: $159.99 |
Weed Regularly
Another adage of organic gardening is to keep up with your garden. Don't let anything, such as weeding, get neglected. If you do, the weeds will go to seed and the problem will be even greater next year. I have six main flower beds and I weed one each day of the week. That way, the job is never overwhelming.
No Pesticides...Ever
By definition, organic gardening is growing plants without the aid of chemicals. A healthy garden is a balance of nutrients, beneficial insects, and plants. Introduce a pesticide into the mixture and you may have a short-term fix, but you'll upset that delicate balance. Besides, if you read some of the literature on pesticides, you won't even what to touch the stuff. I don't want to use anything on my garden that I have to wear long sleeves and rubber gloves to apply.
Must Have Books about Organic Gardening
 | Written by one of the pioneers in organic gardening, this is the gardening book to buy if you can only afford one. Amazon Price: $6.66 List Price: $24.99 |
 | Another Rodale book, this is a great reference for those times you are tempted to go get some herbicide. Amazon Price: $7.96 List Price: $24.99 |
 | Ohio Pulitizer Prize-winning author, Louis Bromfield started an organic farm in north central Ohio in the 1940s--long before it was fashionable. This is the story of his farming life. Amazon Price: $13.60 List Price: $15.95 |
Choose Healthy Plants
Another obvious point, but a critical one. Those struggling plants may be on sale at the end of the season, but they are no bargain. Unhealthy plants are susceptible to disease and bugs infestations. Buy the full price, healthy ones instead.
Inspect your Garden Regularly
A good way to catch any problems early is to look at all of your plants on a regular basis. The beginning of an aphid problem is easy to fix with soapy water. It's much more difficult once a colony becomes established. Besides, walking around the garden is a nice, relaxing morning (or evening) routine.
