More farmers are getting into organic vegetable gardening because it is cost effective and they are able to produce almost the same yield of crops. The principles of organic vegetable gardening must be understood and then you too can do this at home. First, organic vegetable gardening does not use any fertilizers, nutrients or pesticides. The two things you will use to make it all work are sunlight and water so nature is your partner here. You must provide the ideal area and adequate drainage as these should not be provided artificially.

To help the crops grow, mix together leftover food, chipped bark, garden compost, leaf moulds and manure using a compost heap and then spread it throughout your garden so you do not rely solely on sunlight and water. Manure is sold in stores so you don’t have to scoop this from the toilet so don’t feel queasy, also chickens are great to have - just let them roam around in the garden. Dead animals or meat products are used by some people but you can’t put these in the soil. Yet, left for a couple of weeks in the bin, maggots will soon appear which is what you use to help fertilize your garden.

The earthworm is another helpful creature because it digs deep into the ground and aerates the soil bringing various minerals to the surface which also provides better drainage. The casting this long pink colored creature leaves behind is five times as rich in nitrogen phosphorous and potassium, according to experts. You can find this at nearly all gardening stores or garden centers.

Unwanted guests including army worms, crickets, gypsy moth caterpillars, slugs and squash bugs make organic gardening a challenge. Despite the fact that at one time people used fertilizer to kill them, the toad, which is known to eat more almost every type of insect it is the best weapon in an organic setting. Caterpillars and spiders are not in the toad’s diet so if they are lurking in the garden you should get a bird.

Buying a toad or a bird from the pet store isn’t necessary providing you set the ideal environment for them so they may come in to your home. If you can put up a bird house or a small pond, within days, you will have some new occupants protecting your garden. Insect killers such as the preying mantis and the ladybug, mark their territory and eat anything that dares enter their domain so they will do the job.

For example, the rosemary, sage or thyme is an effective deterrent against butterflies whereas marigolds are effective against nematodes. The rotation of crops is seen as the best way to keep the soil fertile, despite all the flowers and creatures that nature has to offer. Plant a kind of vegetable every other season once the first one is harvested and alternate it with another vegetable type. The principles behind organic gardening are very simple:

Posted: March 13th, 2009 under food.
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