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Organic Vegetable Gardening For Beginners
from: Mary HannaTo be successful at organic vegetable gardening you must draw up
detailed plans. The soil is your first consideration; how to
make it rich and fertile, and how to prepare it so harmful pests
won't attack your vegetable garden. The two ways that organic
vegetable gardening differs from conventional gardens is the
usage of fertilizer and how to keep pests under control.
Phosphorous, nitrogen and potassium are the three components
essential to your organic garden.
For lush, green foliage you must have nitrogen. For strong roots
and stems phosphorus is needed. And for the important protection
from disease and brief cold snaps, potassium is a must. Let's
call them the big three. The big three are available in
commercial fertilizers however they are synthetic. In organic
vegetable gardening the big three are added in a much different
way.
The best way of enriching your soil is by compost. Dig some pits
in your back yard to start your compost from kitchen refuse. Use
things like pine needles, corn stalks, leaves, carrot tops,
fruits or vegetables that have spoiled, manure, egg shells and
coffee grinds. Some organic gardeners use weeds in their compost
but I do not recommend this for obvious reasons. As the compost
materials decompose they release bacteria and fungi into the
soil that you are preparing. The bacteria and fungi convert
nutrients like nitrogen to ammonia and nitrates that will be
usable for your vegetables. Use substances such as seaweed,
potash salts, tobacco stems and wood ash to help make potassium
in your compost. By making your own compost, you are controlling
the mixture and balance to achieve the right combination for
your organic vegetable garden.
To be absolutely sure that your compost has completely broken
down and is now offering up the right balance, start working it
into the soil at least two weeks before you plan on planting.
The pH in the soil must be right for healthy plants. Test your
soil, if it has a ph of 0 it is very acidic, while a 14 is
extreme alkaline. Of course a seven indicates neutral soil. To
raise the pH of the soil inexpensively use ground limestone. An
additional benefit of the limestone is that it contains
magnesium something that most soils lack. If, on the other hand,
you have extreme alkaline soil use sulpher to bring the pH down.
Pest control in organic vegetable gardening is also different
that conventional gardening. In many conventional beds gardeners
wish to eradicate all pests with pesticides. Many in organic
gardening only wish to keep the pest population down so to have
a balance in the garden. Obviously, whenever possible, plant
pest resistant vegetables. In order for harmful organisms to
grow, they need bright sunlight so keep thick mulch around the
plants to deny the organisms that needed sunlight and to help
hold moisture into the ground. If you find you have a heavy
infestation here is a natural pest control formula:
In a jar, combine 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid and 1 cup
vegetable oil. Shake vigorously. In an empty spray bottle,
combine 2 teaspoons of this mixture and 1 cup water. Use at
ten-day intervals (or more often if needed) to rid plants of
whiteflies, mites, aphids, scales, and other pests.
Follow this tips and you are on your way to raising a healthy
and plentiful organic vegetable garden.
Happy Gardening!
Copyright � Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.
This article may be distributed freely on your website and in
your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice,
links and the resource box are unchanged.
About the author:
Mary Hanna is an aspiring herbalist who lives in Central
Florida. This allows her to grow gardens inside and outside year
round. She has published other articles on Cruising, Gardening
and Cooking. Visit her websites at:
http://www.GardeningLandscapingTips.com
http://www.GardeningOutside.com and http://www.GardeningHerb.com
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