A Beginner's Guide to Growing an Organic Garden
Here is everything you need to know about growing a garden using chemical-free fertilisers and pesticides
Ketaki Godbole Randiwe
21 May 2019
The main difference between organic gardening and conventional gardening is that organic gardening relies on natural systems and materials while conventional gardening requires man-made synthetic fertilisers and pesticides.
Organic gardening’s philosophy respects the complex relationships between living organisms in the soil and among the plants, while conventional gardening views the soil and ecosystem as just a sterile medium in which to produce food for humans.
Here is what you need to know before getting started on your organic garden.
Organic gardening’s philosophy respects the complex relationships between living organisms in the soil and among the plants, while conventional gardening views the soil and ecosystem as just a sterile medium in which to produce food for humans.
Here is what you need to know before getting started on your organic garden.
What does it mean to garden organically?
Simply put, organic gardening means not using synthetic products such as pesticides and fertilisers and, instead, opting for natural or even home-made alternatives to enhance soil quality and keep plants healthy. Ideally, organic gardening replenishes resources as it makes use of them. This is done by feeding depleted soil with microorganism- and nutrient-rich soil (compost) produced by the aerobic decomposition of organic matter.
The bigger picture involves working in cooperation with nature, viewing your garden as a small part of the natural system.
Here are some basics to get you started with organic gardening:
Simply put, organic gardening means not using synthetic products such as pesticides and fertilisers and, instead, opting for natural or even home-made alternatives to enhance soil quality and keep plants healthy. Ideally, organic gardening replenishes resources as it makes use of them. This is done by feeding depleted soil with microorganism- and nutrient-rich soil (compost) produced by the aerobic decomposition of organic matter.
The bigger picture involves working in cooperation with nature, viewing your garden as a small part of the natural system.
Here are some basics to get you started with organic gardening:
Where should I start an organic garden?
You don’t need a large space to grow organically.
If you don’t have a garden or terrace, then a window box or pots on your balcony can, in their own way, be as productive. And by mixing your planting you can enhance your fruit and vegetables with beautiful flowers, enjoy seeing bees, butterflies and birds visit, and have a succession of fresh produce.
You don’t need a large space to grow organically.
If you don’t have a garden or terrace, then a window box or pots on your balcony can, in their own way, be as productive. And by mixing your planting you can enhance your fruit and vegetables with beautiful flowers, enjoy seeing bees, butterflies and birds visit, and have a succession of fresh produce.
What type of containers should I use?
As a beginner, it makes sense to re-use your existing terracotta and fibre-reinforced plastic containers for your plants. The relatively new option of good-quality, thick, UV-treated plastic grow bags are also a good buy.
Go waste-free
Everyday objects such as water bottles, cans, used paint cans (but make absolutely sure all the paint inside is scraped off), an unused helmet, a vegetable or milk crate or PVC drainage pipes are also great as containers. Embrace frugality and save money at the same time by planting in these.
As a beginner, it makes sense to re-use your existing terracotta and fibre-reinforced plastic containers for your plants. The relatively new option of good-quality, thick, UV-treated plastic grow bags are also a good buy.
Go waste-free
Everyday objects such as water bottles, cans, used paint cans (but make absolutely sure all the paint inside is scraped off), an unused helmet, a vegetable or milk crate or PVC drainage pipes are also great as containers. Embrace frugality and save money at the same time by planting in these.
How do I prepare the soil?
In order to get the best results from your organic garden, you’ll want to make sure the soil is properly conditioned. You have to eat, and so do plants, so make sure your plants get lots of fresh nutrients. Start off with good garden soil that is available at local nurseries and garden centres.
Adding organic matter by mixing compost into the soil increases its capacity to retain water and nutrients and supports beneficial microbes, which are essential to healthy plant growth.
In order to get the best results from your organic garden, you’ll want to make sure the soil is properly conditioned. You have to eat, and so do plants, so make sure your plants get lots of fresh nutrients. Start off with good garden soil that is available at local nurseries and garden centres.
Adding organic matter by mixing compost into the soil increases its capacity to retain water and nutrients and supports beneficial microbes, which are essential to healthy plant growth.
What is organic matter?
It includes everything from compost, grass clippings, dried leaves and kitchen scraps to manure and egg shells.
Organic matter is used as a soil amendment or conditioner. It can be worked into the soil of a new garden or used as a top dressing in an existing garden. Usually a good pot mix would be one-third each of soil, organic fertiliser and cocopeat.
It includes everything from compost, grass clippings, dried leaves and kitchen scraps to manure and egg shells.
Organic matter is used as a soil amendment or conditioner. It can be worked into the soil of a new garden or used as a top dressing in an existing garden. Usually a good pot mix would be one-third each of soil, organic fertiliser and cocopeat.
Which plants are best for the organic garden?
Choosing the right plant for the right place is also part of gardening organically. Plants that are happy with their growing conditions will be healthier than plants that are stressed. Stressed plants are very attractive to pests.
Choosing the right plant for the right place is also part of gardening organically. Plants that are happy with their growing conditions will be healthier than plants that are stressed. Stressed plants are very attractive to pests.
Try this
Next time you go vegetable shopping, buy some tomatoes and drop some of the seeds into one of your garden containers. Water them moderately daily or every alternate day, and feed them with waste scraps from your kitchen. Within two weeks you will have your own tomato plant, which you nurtured from the start. By around six to eight weeks you will see the seed you planted transform into beautiful fruit on a plant you reared. Not only is it deeply gratifying for the soul, the benefits of eating fresh vegetables, grown without industrial-strength chemicals and pesticides, are unmatched. Plus, they are actually tastier than what you buy from the market.
10 tips for growing edible plants in containers
Next time you go vegetable shopping, buy some tomatoes and drop some of the seeds into one of your garden containers. Water them moderately daily or every alternate day, and feed them with waste scraps from your kitchen. Within two weeks you will have your own tomato plant, which you nurtured from the start. By around six to eight weeks you will see the seed you planted transform into beautiful fruit on a plant you reared. Not only is it deeply gratifying for the soul, the benefits of eating fresh vegetables, grown without industrial-strength chemicals and pesticides, are unmatched. Plus, they are actually tastier than what you buy from the market.
10 tips for growing edible plants in containers
Mulch is important
Mulching (spreading decaying leaves or compost on the soil around plants) your garden beds serves multiple purposes. Mulch suppresses weeds, conserves water, moderates soil temperature, feeds the soil, prevents erosion and is attractive to boot. You can use the available mulch packets from nurseries or even your garden trimmings such as dried leaves to add a protective layer over the soil.
Mulching (spreading decaying leaves or compost on the soil around plants) your garden beds serves multiple purposes. Mulch suppresses weeds, conserves water, moderates soil temperature, feeds the soil, prevents erosion and is attractive to boot. You can use the available mulch packets from nurseries or even your garden trimmings such as dried leaves to add a protective layer over the soil.
How to avoid pests in the plants?
One of the main methods for keeping pest populations below damaging levels is to encourage thriving populations of beneficial insects and pest predators, including spiders, birds, lizards, and toads. Don’t be afraid to let these creatures into your garden because, believe it or not, they will be beneficial in keeping your garden free of pests. Practising good sanitation is another method of organic pest control. Removing disease-infected leaves or plants, not growing the same type in the same spot year after year, and handpicking insect pests and eggs, all help to suppress pest populations.
One of the main methods for keeping pest populations below damaging levels is to encourage thriving populations of beneficial insects and pest predators, including spiders, birds, lizards, and toads. Don’t be afraid to let these creatures into your garden because, believe it or not, they will be beneficial in keeping your garden free of pests. Practising good sanitation is another method of organic pest control. Removing disease-infected leaves or plants, not growing the same type in the same spot year after year, and handpicking insect pests and eggs, all help to suppress pest populations.
What are natural pesticides?
Natural pesticides that control some insects and diseases are readily available in nurseries and include products containing neem oil, beneficial naturally occurring microbes (usually Bacillus thuringiensis), and minerals such as copper and sulphur. Because they break down quickly, natural pesticides have to be applied much more frequently than their synthetic counterparts.
Natural pesticides that control some insects and diseases are readily available in nurseries and include products containing neem oil, beneficial naturally occurring microbes (usually Bacillus thuringiensis), and minerals such as copper and sulphur. Because they break down quickly, natural pesticides have to be applied much more frequently than their synthetic counterparts.
Why go organic?
There are countless reasons to choose organic gardening over conventional gardening. Here are a few of the most important reasons that gardeners choose to go organic:
There are countless reasons to choose organic gardening over conventional gardening. Here are a few of the most important reasons that gardeners choose to go organic:
- You will have plants and food that are free of synthetic chemicals (and chemical residue)
- You will be supporting pollinators by providing safe sources of food and shelter for them
- You will learn and emulate nature’s processes rather than upsetting the balance of the ecosystem
- You will help reduce pollution by eliminating pesticide and fertiliser transfer from your property
- You will support a habitat for local creatures by growing native plants
- You will be supporting a healthy soil biodiversity rather than contaminating soil with chemicals.
Disclaimer: Readers should ensure that substances used are suitable and safe for plants intended for consumption.
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Here is what I think:
1. I had in fact considered the ideal loamy soil (which has equal proportions of silt, sand and clay) when I said 'good garden soil'. This is what is readily available in most local nurseries in India. Of course, addition of perlite is useful not only in improving soil drainage but also conserving moisture. Coco-peat is a good alternative to perlite simple because it is a multi-purpose growing medium, providing protection against bacteria and fungus, improving soil texture and extending the life of the organic compost.
2. Since here I am talking about gardening using chemical-free fertilizers and pesticides and relying solely on natural processes to growing and tending to your garden, the source of the plant is secondary. Heirloom varieties and untouched native varieties of plants are important no-doubt, but not the crux of this particular story.
3. Excellent point. Plant vigour is one of the many joys of seeing your gardning efforts bear fruit, literally and figuratively!
Thanks again for your inputs and looking forward to your guidance.
Thank you Vinay Gurung! Would love to see your gardening journey.. post some photos once you get started.