Organic gardening is much more than simply avoiding the use of chemicals in your garden. For many people, it is a vision of living using the laws of nature to grow their fruits, vegetables, and other plants in a natural way. This is usually a personal choice made in the light of much research conducted on the importance of diet in relation to our health and longevity.
Studies have shown that organic foods have higher concentrations of vitamins and minerals than those grown using chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. Organically grown fruit and vegetables are not only better from a health point of view, but also avoid accidental exposure to those chemicals that are used in large-scale commercial agriculture, so common in today’s world.
Here are 10 key components that are a fundamental part of organic gardening.
1. Healthy soil – This is probably the most basic aspect of any organic garden. Healthy soil that is naturally replenished will grow healthy food year after year. Organic fertilizers such as manure and composted garden, courtyard and kitchen waste are easily recyclable in the earth creating soil rich in nutrients that will make any type of healthy plant grow.
2. Avoid all chemical or synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. This will not only ensure that your soil remains naturally organic, but also relieves the worry of harming your family and pets in case they come into contact with these dangerous chemicals.
3. Sustainable gardening practices allow your garden to sustain itself. Since nutrients are used by plants, they are replaced through the use of natural fertilizers and compost. Well-made organic gardens rely on natural organic cycles to stay healthy every year.
4. Environmental management – The natural environment benefits from organic gardening practices as it reduces the environmental contamination associated with agricultural practices dependent on chemicals.
5. Creation of friendly habitats for beneficial wildlife. There are a large variety of beneficial animals and insects that will be drawn to your garden. Protecting them from the dangers associated with dangerous chemicals is not only beneficial for them, but also for your gardening efforts as they will eat large quantities of destructive insects, controlling them naturally.
6. Use intensive sowing practices to conserve water use and delay the growth of unwanted weeds. Intensive sowing is a simple spacing of neighboring plants. This helps protect the soil from the sun by slowing down the evaporation and germination of weed seeds.
7. Use the concept of plant biodiversity to ensure that changes in growing conditions or plant diseases do not lead to crop failure. Planting a variety of different plants will ensure that the loss of one plant does not compromise the overall supply of garden food.
8. Crop rotation: control of pests and soil-borne diseases is the main reason for crop rotation every year and during the growing season. Crop rotation can keep any garden healthy and produce abundant crops.
9. Use good watering and weeding practices. Capture and store rainwater where possible to water the garden. Use immersion hoses, drip irrigation or hand water to minimize water loss. Weed the hands and avoid the use of harmful pesticides and herbicides. And be sure to spread a thick layer of mulch to retain moisture and prevent weeds from sprouting.
10. Save the seeds of your best crops for future use. Imagine being able to create a self-sufficient garden that requires no outside help. From spring sowing until autumn, an organic garden is truly part of its natural environment.
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