Growing your own vegetables is a great way to make sure you have a balanced diet.When growing organic veggies, you won't be able to treat them with chemicals or pesticides, so you need to be more aware of pests.If you want to start an organic vegetable garden, you need to find a suitable spot in your yard where you can dig a plot, build a raised bed, and set up planting containers.Prepare the soil and plant your vegetables.Keep your plants healthy with organic pest control as they grow.
Step 1: There is plenty of sunlight and proper drainage in this location.
You can observe the placement of the sun by checking your yard at different times.Your garden should be exposed to sunlight for at least six hours a day.Check for standing water when evaluating the location's drainage.If you live in a hot area, make sure the spot gets some shade.Check your plot after it rains to see if it has proper drainage.The plot doesn't have good drainage because of standing water.If it hasn't rained in a while, spray the area with a gardening hose and check to see if the water soaks in.
Step 2: Test your soil's acidity.
You can get pH testing strips from your local gardening store.Add distilled water to the soil and stir after you collect a sample of it in a cup.Take a test strip and put it in the mixture.Check the strip against the kit's key after removing it.Adding supplements to your soil will bring it within the range.Vegetables grow best when the soil is acidic.Adding dolomite or quicklime will increase the pH in your soil.The package says to mix it into the soil and retest the pH.Adding organic matter to the soil will lower the pH.
Step 3: If you have good drainage and pH, plant directly into the ground.
It's easiest to plant your garden directly into the ground if you have good quality soil.Pull and discard weeds.If you want to remove grass, dig it up with your shovel and put it in your compost pile.Your plot is ready to be planted once it is dirt.If you'd like to plant directly into the ground but don't want to use your existing soil, dig out the plot and replace it with organic soil.You should use a shovel to remove at least 1 foot of soil from your plot.Put the organic soil in the plot to use for the planting bed.You can purchase organic soil at your local gardening store.
Step 4: A raised garden bed is a good idea.
If your garden is going to be planted on land that's wet, raised beds are a great option.First, dig out about 1 to 2 inches of soil in the shape of your plot.To create a box, place pieces of wood along the edge of your plot.Add organic soil to the box.cedar is a natural insect deterrent and can be made into raised beds.
Step 5: Vegetables are grown in containers for a convenient planting option.
Medium to large pots should be at least 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm) deep so that your plants have plenty of space to grow.Water can flow away from the roots if your pots have drainage at the bottom.If you want to plant your garden in pots, use organic potting soil.If you prefer, you can use a 5 US gal bucket as a pot.Cut holes in the bottom of your pots if they don't have drainage.A layer of rocks can be added to the pot.Water that settles in the bottom of the pot could drown your plant.
Step 6: If you like, mix organic matter into your soil.
If you want to add more nutrition, you should replace half of your soil with organic matter.The organic matter should be spread over the soil by using a shovel.The organic matter should be mixed with the soil using a shovel, spade, or hoe.If the soil has a healthy pH, you can add fertilization to gardens planted directly into the ground.Peat moss, manure, and compost are good options.You can purchase these at your local gardening store.
Step 7: Plants that grow well in the USDA zone are the ones you should choose.
Some plants might not grow well in your area.You can find out which USDA hardiness zone you are in by looking at the labels.Pick veggies that are compatible with your zone.You can find your zone here.
Step 8: You can buy organic seeds from a farmers market, gardening store or online.
To make sure the seeds are organic, check the label.This means that the seeds came from organically grown plants.If you don't know if they're organic, ask the person selling them.It is difficult to find organic plants in some areas.Many nurseries use pesticides andfertilizers, so be sure to ask.
Step 9: Make sure that your soil is loose.
Plants that remain on the plot should be removed first.Make sure there are no obstructions.If you want to break up the soil in your plot, use a hoe or tiller.To work the entire plot, make several passes over the soil.Rent a tiller from your local gardening store if you have a large plot.It will be easier for the seeds to take root once they are planted.It helps the water drain away.
Step 10: After the last frost of the spring, plant your seeds outdoors.
Add a thin layer of organic topsoil over your plot or containers after you sprinkle the seedlings over the soil.Use a small shovel to dig out about 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) of soil, then place the seedling into it.Don't pack the roots down, cover them with soil.If you plant from seed, you may need to thin out your plants.It is best to sprinkle a lot of seeds because it is unlikely that all of them will grow.
Step 11: If you want, you can label the plants.
Plants' names can be printed on garden stakes or popsicle sticks.Place each popsicle stick near the correct row of plants.If you are using pots, put the labels on them.It is important to label your plants if you have the same vegetable.It can help you remember where you planted your plants in the future.
Step 12: If you want to limit weed growth, cover the soil with organic mulch.
It is possible to prevent weed growth with mulch.After planting your seeds or seedlings, add a thin layer of mulch over your entire plot.The seeds will grow through the mulch.There are many great options for mulch.Make sure your mulch is organic by checking the label.You can buy mulch at your garden store.
Step 13: Water your seeds after you plant them.
You can spray the soil with a watering can or garden hose.Make sure the soil feels moist by touching it with your hand.Adding too much water will cause the soil to pool on top of it.It is normal to see a lot of water in the bottom of the pots if you planted your garden in containers.
Step 14: Water your plants in the morning to get rid of excess water.
Too much water can be harmful to your plants.This is true if the water is on the leaves.If you want to get the best results, water your plants most mornings so that the sun can evaporate the excess water.If the soil feels moist or the weather is rainy, you can skip watering.
Step 15: Your plants will grow better if you use a liquid organicfertilizer weekly.
Measure out thefertilizer by following the instructions on the label.Add thefertilizer to your can or sprayer.Next, spray the water on your plants.The water you use for watering should be replaced with thefertilizer water.Liquid organicfertilizer can be found at your local gardening store or online.
Step 16: The plot needs to be Weeded.
You can check your plot for weeds with a visual inspection.Pull them if you see any.Pull all of the weeds before they grow large enough to produce seeds.The compost will be contaminated with seeds if you put weeds in it.
Step 17: Attracting insects will control pests.
Plants that attract insects will be added to your plot.daisies, marigolds, bachelor's button, sunflowers, lemon balm, parsley, and alyssum are some of the common varieties.You can place rocks and stepping stones near your garden to make it easier for bugs to hide.The pests that might ruin your crop will be eaten by insects.For controlling pests, ground beetles and ladybugs are helpful.
Step 18: Stay away from your plants with pesticides and other chemicals.
You will need to be careful about what you use in your organic garden.You will get the hang of it once you have some experience.To keep your garden going strong, trust your organic fertilization, hand pulling of weeds, and friendly insects.