Have you heard of the ever-growing trend of organic gardening? Namely, people worldwide are starting to avoid using synthetic fertilisers and pesticides. They’re embracing a holistic approach to gardening where they’re using more sustainable fertilizer, homemade compost and avoiding the use of plastic in the process. If you’re considering organic gardening, your home can serve as a solid starting point. A backyard with enough space to plant a few vegetable sorts and some fruit will be enough to start with. Here are some tips on how you can start an organic garden in your home.
Find A Suitable Location
A garden where you’ll be growing food should be isolated from the street racket and pollution from the cars. Therefore, your backyard will be perfect. Look for a corner of the garden that will be a nice starting point and eventually allow you to spread out once you get a hang of gardening. Preferably the spot you choose will allow for plenty of sunlight and rain.6 to 8 hours of sunlight a day is necessary for the plants to grow well, so plan for the site accordingly. The garden should also be out of kids’ sight and reach so that they don’t wish to run around and pick crops that are not ripe yet.
Organic Garden Soil And Mulch For The Base
Healthy soil is the prerequisite for a healthy organic garden. Compost, manure and peat moss are some of the best types of organic matter you can use to enrich the soil. The decayed microorganisms from earlier plants will offer future plants all the nutritious elements they need. To make the garden as organic as possible, make your own compost or use bagged compost from garden centres. With mulch, you’ll prevent the weeds from overgrowing your garden area. The weeds won’t get as much sunlight or germinate in the garden. Newspaper, weed-free straws and cocoa hulls will be perfect to use as mulch.
Enclose The Garden And Protect From Pets
The next matter to take care of is protecting your garden from unwanted visitors. If you have pets who like to run around the backyard, they’ll inevitably want to roam through your organic garden. To prevent them from making huge damage to the plants, build a fence around them. Consider using chain wire fencing to create a barrier for pets. You can even consider enclosing another part of the backyard with wired fencing to create a designated pet area with all of your four-legged friend’s toys and entertainment.
Water Regularly
Knowing how much water your plants need and how often to water them is of the essence when taking care of your organic garden. One of the best ways to know whether your plants need watering is to stick a finger in the soil, and if it’s moist, it doesn’t require water yet. Only water it when you feel it’s dry. Instead of watering the top of the plants, focus on the soil around the base of the plants. That way the soil can absorb the water that will later reach the roots. You might want to consider drip irrigation for your organic garden.
Feed The Plants
Aside from enough water, the plants will need food as well. Look for plant nutrition options and give your garden the necessary boost. That will help them produce richer harvests and make your peppers and tomatoes extra juicy. Go to your local garden centre and look for prepacked organic fertilizer. Alternatively, if you know someone who has an animal farm, ask for manure made by chickens, sheep, horses or rabbits. As long as it’s well-rotted, it will help your plants yield juicer crops. Unlike synthetic fertilizers, when you use organic, the soil will level up in quality every time you use them.
Starting an organic garden will be the best hobby for you and your family. The food that you grow in the garden will be pesticide-free, and you’ll know that you’re eating only healthy fruits and vegetables. Aside from offering your family the best quality food, you’ll also have a new hobby to enjoy and potentially grow your garden and turn it into a profitable pastime. Just make sure you’re watering the plants regularly, feed them with natural fertilizers, protect them from pets, and you’ll have a garden to enjoy for a long time.