Imagine the perfect cucumber and tomato salad – all organic and all from your own backyard.
Today, there are a wide range of products to cover your organic gardening needs, and there’s no better time to get started growing than spring. Whether in your backyard or your plot at the local community garden, many agriculture experts see organic as the way to go.
Now, let’s take a look at six tips for success.
1. Start with good soil.
You may be ready to get out and start digging today, but just because it’s brown, doesn’t mean it’s healthy. Healthy soil starts with sufficient nutrients that may need to be added, especially in environments where nothing has been previously planted.
Dr. Earth All Purpose Fertilizer, a Home Depot exclusive, is 100 percent organic and natural, it contains no GMOs, and is people and pet safe. Whether raised bed or in the ground, it’s important to ready soil for planting. Fertilizer is like a multivitamin that creates a great foundation for any great crops to thrive.
Additionally, three kitchen staples: bananas, coffee and eggs, are readily assessable natural additives that help cultivate good soil, even with no composting. By simply adding your used coffee grounds, crushed egg shells and diced banana peels into the soil with a cultivator or hand trowel, you can naturally increase soil quality and water retention.
2. Attract pollinators by planting with Nature’s Nutrients.
Pollination is the act of moving of pollen within flowers or carried from flower to flower by animals or by the wind; it is critical for their survival. Nature’s Nutrients supports pollination with plants that attract butterflies, bees and birds that aid in pollination. All stores in the continental U.S. will have the Nature's Nutrients program.
3. Feed your plants the best.
Miracle-Gro’s Nature’s Care line offers a great selection of organic and natural soils, plant foods, insecticides and herbicides. Many of their products are Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) listed, and all are available in Home Depot stores nationwide.
4. Remember, not all bugs are bad.
Ladybugs, praying mantis, whiteflies and earth worms are all good bugs for soil and plants to thrive on. These bugs, known as “beneficials,” naturally protect your vegetables and flowers from pests that want to feed or introduce parasites to your crop. Chemicals can kill the beneficial bugs and make it easier for those who parasitize to live and multiply. Remember, a simple pressurized spray from a garden hose can knock unwanted pests to the ground.
5. Manual pest control is key.
Organic gardening includes the soil and the additives used to treat and protect what grows are also organic - this means no chemical pesticides. A mixture of neem oil, castile soap, and warm water sprayed on your edible garden is a simple and effective way to naturally to rid your fruits, herbs, and veggies of insects and fungi that can destroy them.
6. Cover and protect.
Hoops, shade cloth, and clear plastic are all simple ways to prevent pests from entering your crop. Shade cloths offer a more sophisticated coverage system with color variations while a DIY hoop house (made of metal or plastic rods, and plastic film) can also do the trick of protecting your plants.
Remember, to get the most effective and holistic benefit from organic gardening, it is important that every product used to grow and tend is also organic. With a little love and attention, you’ll be enjoying your harvest in no time.
