subject: Switching To Organic Gardening [print this page] Organic gardening is more beneficial to the environment. Organic gardening naturally improves the life of a garden and the creatures living in it.
Increased attraction of birds, bugs and other species is prevalent in organic gardens. This does not mean that your plants should be dished up on a platter for insects to devour, but organic pesticides encourage the "good" bugs to thrive in your garden, as well as the insects that live on them.
Before creating an organic garden, cautiously get rid of all chemical garden products. Chemical insecticides and fertilizers are extremely toxic to humans and their pets and cannot be disposed of through common drainage systems. Check the label for disposal instructions, or contact your local waste disposal company for information on how to dispose of them properly. Check local stores for organic fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides. Also creating home remedies can save time and money. Natural ingredients help preserve the lives of wildlife and humans. Some insects are beneficial to the garden because they eat the insects that ravish your plants, so learn to recognize them and leave them alone.
Consider companion planting to discourage insects from susceptible plants. Different plants can make it difficult for pests to survive on a neighboring plant. Chives, coriander, rosemary, mint, oregano, sage and thyme are effective pest control herbs. Marigolds and nasturtiums act as a natural pesticide and insecticide.
Natural composts are rich in nutrients and are a great way to produce food for insects and birds. Garden waste can act as great compost material. Compost heaps can be made in any backyard.
It is important for composts to aerate in order to be successful. You can add fruit and vegetable peels, eggshells, coffee grounds and tea leaves and bags, as well as shredded newspaper to the compost heap too. It is important not to place meat or dairy products into a compost; they can bring toxins into an organic garden. Compost heaps should be moist and create rich soil after breaking down natural plant materials.
Plant indigenous plants to reduce the consumption of water and nutrients. Planting indigenous plants saves water too, as these are acclimatized to local conditions and thrive in them.
Rainwater tanks and water recycling systems allow water to be reused instead of wasted. An irrigation system is a successful choice if regular maintenance is kept up.
It is not difficult to make the move to organic gardening, and certainly worth the effort. Introduce changes gradually to suit the time and money you have available. After setting up a successful organic garden, you can now own a vegetable garden.
