{"id":83,"date":"2020-03-08T07:45:30","date_gmt":"2020-03-08T07:45:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gardendad.co.uk\/?p=83"},"modified":"2020-11-23T08:24:20","modified_gmt":"2020-11-23T08:24:20","slug":"organic-gardening-for-beginners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gardendad.co.uk\/organic-gardening-for-beginners\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide: The Basics of Organic Gardening for Beginners"},"content":{"rendered":"

These days we hear lots of different products and practices referred to as “organic”<\/em>. What does this term mean, and how is it correctly applied to gardening? In this article, we will define basic organic gardening for beginners and provide some practical tips to help you get started on your own organic gardening venture. Read on to learn more.<\/p>\n

What is organic?<\/h2>\n

\"whatIn the simplest of terms, when you grow fruits and vegetables organically you are growing them without the use of commercial , chemical pesticides, herbicides fertilisers and the like.<\/p>\n

While this is one very basic definition of organic gardening, the truth is that if you really want to create produce that is absolutely organically grown, you must also make efforts to understand the natural environment that surrounds you and to work in harmony with it.<\/p>\n

When you make this effort, you can have a truly successful experience because you can engage the cooperation and assistance of beneficial fauna and make good use of smart practices such as companion planting.<\/p>\n

Practising this sort of organic gardening can be very satisfying and enjoyable. It is good for you, your immediate environment, the environment in general and anyone who has the pleasure and privilege of enjoying the fresh fruits and veggies that you produce in your garden.<\/p>\n

Who made sustainable organic gardening popular?<\/h2>\n

It could be said that sustainable organic gardening has never been \u201cmade popular\u201d – in times gone by it was literally the only way our forebears could survive!<\/p>\n

But in recent time organic gardening has become something of a forgotten art; an increasing population needing food, the advent of machinery and chemical herbicides has meant that, as a race, we have moved away from traditional gardening methods.<\/p>\n

However, it is enjoying a huge revival thanks to people becoming more sustainably minded, and wanting to move away from chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers.<\/p>\n

There are a great many well known gardeners who have reclaimed sustainable organic gardening from the compost heap, as it were (apart from those allotmenteers and back garden enthusiasts who have kept it going for years without a second thought) Patrick Whitefield<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For those interested in following influential gardeners of our time, here is a link to a multinational site that lists some of the top blogs<\/a> from the UK and non-UK gardeners.<\/p>\n

What exactly is involved in organic gardening?<\/h2>\n

\"whatFor the most successful organic garden, you should begin by observing the processes of nature in your own backyard. You should then take steps to emulate those processes throughout your garden setting so that your own efforts mesh seamlessly with your ambient environment.<\/p>\n

Begin by understanding the type of soil you have in place. You must test the soil to find out if it is acidic or alkaline. You must become familiar with its makeup to know whether or not you have a greater percentage of sand, clay or loam.<\/p>\n

Once you have a complete understanding of the makeup of your soil, you can amend it to create the best possible garden soil for your setting. All of this can be done naturally without the use of chemicals or commercially purchased products.<\/p>\n

When you treat your soil properly, you can balance pH levels, restore lost nutritional value and improve aeration. These are absolutely necessary steps towards growing strong, healthy, productive plants. Begin by purchasing a soil testing kit from your local nursery.<\/p>\n

Test various areas of your garden to get an idea of what you have to work with. Armed with results, you can consult your local nursery professional or conduct your own research online to determine the steps you need to take to properly amend your soil.<\/p>\n

How do you amend soil?<\/h2>\n

\"howSome common methods of soil amendment include adding organic compost<\/a> and\/or growing cover crops (a.k.a. “green manure”<\/em>). These are crops that you plant for the sole purpose of tilling them back into the soil for nourishment and nutrition. Whether you use prepared compost or green manure, the end result will be far more crop-friendly soil.<\/p>\n

After amending your soil, you should also add a good layer of mulch to hold in moisture and nourishment, deter the growth of weeds and continue providing a steady stream of nutrients to your soil.<\/p>\n

Recent information indicates that the very best mulch you can use is compost in process<\/a>. This is a great way to get double duty from your compost. At the end of the growing season, you can simply till your mulch into the soil continue amending and feeding your garden bed.<\/p>\n

What is compost?<\/h2>\n

\"whatCompost is created by the decomposition of well aerated organic matter. You can source this organic matter from your garden in the form of shredded leaves (use your shredder<\/a>), plant waste and grass clippings. Your kitchen is also an excellent source of ingredients for your compost heap or bin. Scraps such as:<\/p>\n