Organic vegetable gardening

There are many benefits to creating an organic garden, and one of the primary ones concerns your health. Organically grown vegetables not only taste better, but they also contain higher amounts of vitamins and nutrients than gardens grown using synthetic materials. Likewise, you won't have to be concerned with what harmful chemical pesticides are doing to your body!

Ready, get set, plant

There are several steps to follow to prepare for your organic garden, which should be no more time consuming or expensive than preparing a conventional garden that uses pesticides and non-organic fertilizers.

• First, you'll need to choose a location. One close to home is ideal if you don't have a yard to plant in. Since vegetables require a lot of sunlight, the area should get direct sun a large portion of the day. The area should also contain well-drained soil.

• Next, sketch out the garden on a piece of paper, including measurements. Many people make the mistake of planting without realizing how much space they will need. Take into consideration how many types of organic vegetables you'd like to plant, how far apart the seeds should be planted (this information can usually be found on the back of seed packets), and the amount of space needed between rows.

• Then, you'll need to begin cultivating your plot of land. This can be done several ways, including hand-tilling or by using a rototiller machine. Although rototillers are quicker, they do have a few disadvantages, including the promotion of weed growth. If at all possible, use a hand fork and spade. Once completed, build a frame around your gardening area to help protect it.

• Once the soil has been dug up (and this can be done in spring or in late fall the season before) you can begin adding compost to it, about three weeks prior to planting. Home grown compost can be created with kitchen scraps, leaves, and other organic materials. Compost should be worked into the soil regularly.

• Finally, add mulch to the soil. Mulch helps retain moisture, nutrients, and warmth. In a nutshell, it acts as a type of protective covering. You are finally ready to plant your organic vegetable garden!

The planted seed

With so many vegetables available, you may have a hard time deciding what to plant. Of course, you'll want to choose vegetables that your family will enjoy. But you should also keep in mind that some vegetables have been known to grow better side-by-side than others. Combinations of beans and tomatoes, cabbage and beets, spinach and cauliflower, and peas and carrots work well.

Whatever you decide on, create small plots, or segments, within your organic garden for each vegetable. Plant seeds according to directions on seed packets. Choose wisely, and learn about what grows best in the local area.

You may also want to implement companion plants into an organic garden. These are plants, or flowers, which aide in keeping away harmful insects. For example, nasturtiums attract flies and are edible. The roots of marigolds sterilize root nematodes and prevent them from reproducing. Onions and garlic can help protect both strawberries and carrots by keeping away harmful insects and flies.

Keeping the good stuff in and the bad stuff out

Maintaining your organic garden is relatively easy if you are diligent about removing both pests and weeds. Encourage beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, to ward off pests. If needed, plant leaves can be sprayed with insecticidal soap and water. Water your organic garden regularly, and add mulch as needed. Once harvest season comes, you'll have some delicious and nutritious organic vegetables to enjoy!