As more people begin to change their diet to become more environmentally-friendly with less of an impact on the earth, there has been a renewed interested in vegetable gardening. Not only are you reducing your carbon footprint but you also save money on organic produce by growing your own vegetables. If you are looking for some tips on getting started on your own organic garden, then check out the following tips:
Use Mulch To Reduce Watering
By using mulch, whether it is grass clippings, wood chips, compost or decaying leaves, you help reduce extreme fluctuations in the soil temperature. Mulch will also help the soil to retain moisture so you don’t have to worry about watering as often. This will save you money as well as time.
Set Up A Rain Collection System
All gardens require water whether they get it from rain showers or from you watering the plants. By setting up a rain collection system, you not only reduce the environmental impact by not using tap water but it is much more cost effective as rain water is free. You can either buy a commercial system or make your own rain collection system with barrels. Check with your city as often they have rain barrels available for sale for a cheap price.
Have Aphids? Get Rid Of Them Safely
If you find that you have an infestation of aphids on any of your plants, don’t head out to buy a pesticide. Just mix soap with water for a safe and easy way to get rid of the aphids. Once you spray down the plants that have the infestation, just rinse it down with water.
Use Compost To Fertilize
One of the best things you can do for your organic garden is to add nutrient-rich compost. Not only are you doing your part by recycling all your food scraps, lawn clippings and dried leaves to make your compost but you also have a cheap, homemade fertilizer for your garden that will improve the soil texture and quality. There is no such thing as using too much compost in your garden so make lots! You can either make your own compost pile or you can buy commercial composters – it all depends on your budget and style preference.
Make Compost Tea
Compost tea is a by-product of running liquid through your compost so that you get a mild organic fertilizer that not only add nutrients to your soil but it also helps restore helpful organisms to your soil that may have been depleted. Water your plants with compost tea every two weeks. Not only are you replacing chemical-based fertilizers by using compost tea, but your garden will even grow better! If you are looking for a very detailed resource on making compost tea, the Department of Pennsylvania has an excellent guide.
Rotate Your Garden Crop Every Year
Just like a farmer rotates his crops to get the most growing potential from his crop yield, so much a gardener. Crop rotation is not only important due to nutrients being depleted by planting the same crop in the same location every year, but by rotating your garden crops you can also help use it to help with insect and pest control.
Organic gardening does not need to be expensive. Not only do you get the reward of reducing your impact on the environment but you also get the added benefit of knowing that your produce comes from an organic garden – all while saving money!
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