Regardless if you’re a seasoned gardener, set in your ways, or a novice, without a clue of what a trowel is, organic gardening can seem daunting. But with a little (really!) know-how, it’s simpler than you think.
Step One: Location

If you don’t already have a garden, figure out where you would like to start it. More than likely, you’ll choose an area in the ground, but it doesn’t have to be. But ground growing adds the benefits of organisms, such as earthworms, that work to break down matter into nutrients and aerate your soil.

The con is that growing from the ground is a little more effort – something we don’t always have time to include – but in the end, your soil is a lot healthier. To prep your bed, use a shovel to work compost into your area of soil – preferably one that is well-drainable [read more on compost options]

Sometimes soil isn’t up to par – for example, an overrun of sand or clay can make it a not-so-superior location. In this case, you can create a raised bed. Use tightly-packed brick or stone to create a perimeter about 16 inches high – then fill the bed with soil and compost.

If you live in a small area or want to try your hand at balcony gardening, try containers. Most vegetables can grow well in containers, as well as herbs. When choosing a size, opt for larger containers which maintain greater reserves of water and food, as well as room for roots to grow. And containers need to have holes at the bottom for drainage. Some garden centres sell plants already started in pots, specifically designed for this purpose.

Step Two: Pick Your Plants

If you’ve never gardened, you might want to check with others (friends, neighbours, local greenhouses) to see what grows best in your area.

You can start off with seeds, or opt for seedlings. Starting from scratch with seeds is a little more difficult, and often have to be started indoors if Winter is running late. Seedlings, on the other hand, can be planted right into the garden, and you can ask the garden centre for information on how to plant them utilizing their first-hand know-how to enrich your own.

In addition, if you’re new to the process you’ll want to find out what plants will take over your garden. Squashes and watermelon, for example, heartily claim a hierarchy in your garden area.

Certain plants, like legumes, can aid in garden growth because they covert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that crops readily use. Flowers such as sunflowers attract bugs such as ladybugs and beetles, that eat up bugs such as slugs and aphids, which are a hazard to your horticulture.

Step Three: Take Good Care

Most plants only need about an inch of water per week, so bear in mind the rainfall. Keep in mind shady areas – they don’t dry out as quickly – and new plants – they need a little more care. Opt for a gentle watering can, or a hose attachment designed for gardening – blasting your bounty at high-pressure can damage the plants and waste water.

You might have heard the word mulch but be oblivious to its definition. Mulch should be made of organic matter, such as grass from cutting your lawn to dead leaves. It slowly decomposes, enriching the soil, smothering weeds, assisting with drainage and provide a natural fertilizer. Spread on top of the soil – not on the plants.

A great adding to your mulch is coffee grounds. If you don’t have any yourself, visit your local Starbucks – they store them for compost use free for the public taking.

And the easiest way to keep it organic? Pull out your weeds – along with the roots – by hand.  For other weeds that crop up between pavement and bricks, sprinkle with salt then pour on boiling water. This keeps it chemical-free and is a cost-efficient alternative to store-bought organic solutions.

Have an organic gardening tip you’d like to share? Tell us about it!

Image courtesy of CoffeeWaffle and GardenWise.

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