We have put together 6 fantastic organic garden ideas. A beautiful garden is a part of every dream house. While you may not have a huge garden with every plant in the world and a large pool or a fountain, it doesn’t mean it can’t add beauty to your home. However, traditional gardening products and methods involve heavy use of chemicals. It isn’t healthy for you or the environment. That is the reason the world is moving towards organic gardening.
Organic gardening means gardening without any synthetic products. Everything produced in your organic garden will be free of any traces of toxins and chemicals. Organic alternatives are used instead of those harmful chemicals. Many define it as gardening incorporation with nature.
Since we have been relying on synthetic products for ages, organic gardening isn’t as easy as it sounds. You have to plan everything very carefully. From the types of plants you choose to where you choose to plant them, every aspect plays a role in keeping your garden green.
If you are a beginner, you need to equip yourself with organic garden ideas that actually work. We are going to share 6 organic garden ideas that will help you keep your garden green and growing.
1. It All Starts with Good Soil
The soil is to a garden what blood is to our body. If soil condition isn’t good enough, nothing good will grow out of it. We all know some chemicals treatments and fertilizers can artificially make it more fertile. These chemicals can seep into the food that grows on that soil. In the long run, these chemicals will harm the beneficial bacteria and microbes in the soil, leaving it useless.
While there are ways to improve your soil quality and condition organically, first you need to get the soil tested. The test results will give you a better idea of what your soil actually needs. The results provide a breakdown of nutrients in the soil along with the pH level and other specifics. Now you know what your soil really needs.
You can add organic manure, compost, leaves, and grass clippings to condition the soil according to its requirements. The more organic matter it contains, the more fertile the soil will be. Having great soil is probably one of the most important organic garden ideas.
2. Choose the Right Plants
Now you know your soil is naturally nutrient-rich and ready to be used; it is time to think about the plants you will grow on that soil. We all want the best fruits and the most beautiful flowers in our garden, but that isn’t always possible. Climatic conditions of your region play an important role here. Every plant has different requirements. Some grow in dry, humid conditions while others require a lot of water and moisture. Some require too much sunlight, others grow better in the shade. You can get complete instructions on plants that grow well in your area from your local department of agriculture.
The safest bet is to go for native varieties as their seeds are easily available in the area. Look for organic seeds. You can also research plants that can grow in any condition. Herbs such as coriander and dill are among such options. Flowers such as sunflower, poppies, and morning glories are also resilient in most conditions.
If you happen to live in an area where most plants grow easily, you need to limit your choices. Too much diversity on one piece of land is never a good idea. So, plant only what you eat. For flowers, do not go for more than four types of flowers per season.
3. Water as Needed
Too much of anything can be unhealthy. While all plants need water, it is important to know how much water each plant needs.
That said, you should also know that there is a right time to water your plants. Early morning works best for most plants. It is generally a cooler time, so the water loss due to evaporation is minimal. The afternoon sun will soak in all the moisture from the surface of the plants. If you water them in the evening, they will remain damp. This increases the risk of bacterial and fungal disease. Since organic gardening doesn’t involve chemical treatments for such diseases, prevention is essentially the best cure.
Keep in mind that not all plants will need regular watering. Some just need it twice or thrice a week. Be sure to educate yourself about the watering needs of all the plants you have in your garden.
4. Ward off the Weed
Where there are plants, there are weeds. We all know chemicals available in the market make it easier to manage weed problems, but organic solutions aren’t ineffective either. Mulch is the best way to keep the weed away. It can be created from a multitude of things including paper, lawn clippings, straw wood chips. You can apply it to the soil to prevent excessive weed.
Mulch will prevent weed to an extent but won’t eliminate it entirely. You will still have to take it out every now and then. The best way to go about it is to use your hands.
Be wary of mulch that is high in nitrogen. Not every plant needs too much nitrogen. If you are using mulch that is high in nitrogen, plant it near the plants that require more of it.
5. Using Natural Pesticides
There are natural ways to keep pesticides away from your garden. Predators such as lizards, frogs, and even birds are nature’s most powerful pesticides. Even some insects such as ladybugs are there to benefit your plants and crops. You can invite more of this beneficial insect by adding plants that attract them the most. Plants that have small blossoms are usually the most attractive ones for these insects.
You can also use nets, covers, and cages to keep pests away from the plants. Fruit cages are often used to cover the fruit-bearing plants from birds without keeping the birds off the property.
That said, let’s not forget that there are commercially available organic pesticides that work just as effectively as the chemical-laden products used in traditional gardening. A company called Terramera is a fine example of a plant-based gardening product manufacturer trusted by organic gardeners around the world.
6. The Aesthetic Aspect
Lastly, let’s not forget the importance of aesthetic aspects of gardening. Whether you are growing fruits and vegetable or herbs and flowers, you want a garden that is breathtakingly beautiful. You can make your organic garden ideas beautiful with with proper planning.
No matter what you plant, make sure there are at least three different colors of blossoms at any given time. Plant crops on raised beds and leave enough space between the beds to create a visible structure. For herbs, you can use beautiful hanging pots. Just place them closer to the kitchen window so that they are easily reachable. The hanging pots will also provide a great view of the garden from the inside of the house.
Conclusion
There you have it, 6 organic garden ideas to get your started. Hopefully it is not as difficult as you may have imagined. If maintained properly, it can look just as beautiful as any home garden. Spend some time on learning more about the plant you plan to grow and invest some money in the right organic products, that’s the secret of growing a beautiful organic garden. We hope you have enjoyed this article on organic garden ideas.
Author Bio:
Evie harrison is a blogger by choice. She loves to discover the world around her. She likes to share her discoveries, experiences and express herself through her blogs. Find her on Twitter:@iamevieharrison
