Keeping it Natural Organic GardenOrganic gardening is environmentally friendly. It emphasizes the use of organic soil amendments to improve the nutrient content and physical characteristics of the soil. It creates healthy soil, which in turn, promotes healthy plants less susceptible to disease and insects. Organic matter contains natural organic complexes that make micronutrients, such as zinc and iron, more available to plants. Growing organically means using only animal or vegetable fertilizers and supplements. No synthetic fertilizers are used. Manufactured pesticides are avoided.
Organic fertilizers include: hoof-n-horn, cottonseed meal, alfalfa meal, blood meal, and fish emulsion. Organic fertilizers release their nutrients slowly and generally have less soluble salts to damage the soil. Organic gardens rely heavily on the addition of organic matter to the soil. This may be compost which is brought in or composted greenwaste created by the homeowners from trimmings and vegetable food waste from the home and landscape. The pesticides most commonly applied on lawns and gardens not used on organic gardens include:
Green tip - Recycle spent plant materials for compost. Back to DIY Gardening Tips Page |
