organic gardening simple steps
TRANSCRIPT
Organic Gardening Simple Steps By Leroy A. Brown www.cariporter.ca
Organic Gardening Simple Steps
By Leroy A. Brown, Organic Consultant
www.cariporter.ca
Spring is the preferred time of the year by many to start an organic garden. If you live in a
country that is cold, and has snow and frost part of the year such as Canada, spring and
summer are your best times for growing things. If you live in a warm country like Jamaica,
then you can grow anytime of the year.
Nevertheless, there is something magical about spring. It is as if it gives someone a new
beginning, and the environment a fresh start. Many plants and animals become more
present, adding to the beauty of Mother Nature.
To help make organic gardening easier, as well as to get more individuals practicing organic
horticulture, here are simple steps to get you started, and to be successful in your organic
cultivation endeavours.
Organic veggies from urban garden Compost from the City of Toronto
Organic Gardening Simple Steps By Leroy A. Brown www.cariporter.ca
1. Make a plan
Making a plan means knowing what you want to grow; knowing how much you want to
grow; knowing how much is it going to cost you to do your gardening; knowing where you
are going to grow your crops; knowing what each type of plant needs such as nutrient,
and how you are going to provide it; knowing if you need a soil test; knowing what pests
and diseases are likely for each type of plant, and how you can prevent them; and so on.
2. Prepare the land
Preparing the land is crucial, because if done properly, you will have less work to do, and
more fun as you become successful.
If you have sufficient earthworms in your soil, and the soil is more loam and humus
than hard and clayish, then you do not have to aerate the earth, (i.e. boring holes in
the soil for air to get in). This is because the earthworms make very small burrows that
allow air into the soil, as they travel in and out of the soil.
Garden layout as part of plan Preparing land
If the soil is hard like clay, you will have to plough it, (i.e. turn the soil over usually
with a spade or rototiller).
If you have done a soil test, then you would know how much nutrient is present in the
earth. If there is need for more, then adding compost is a great way to go.
Be careful when you buy fertilizers or compost from stores, especially if they promote
weed free and/or quick growth. They usually have conventional ingredients in them.
Organic Gardening Simple Steps By Leroy A. Brown www.cariporter.ca
Well decomposed cow, chicken, pig or horse manure is great as compost. Worm
castings are good for fertilizing. You may even use the broken down components in
your homemade compost that has your plant materials such as grass cuttings, leaves,
banana peels, discarded vegetables, onion skin, etc.
Place these nutrients in the soil around the roots, not on the plants, especially if they
are leafy vegetables like lettuces and mustard greens.
Wash hands after attending to your garden, and especially after handling manure.
3. Planting
Remove all weeds in the area you wish to plant. This will give the crops a better
chance of surviving.
When planting, try to use certified organic seeds or seedlings. If not available, use
seeds or seedlings that have not been treated with conventional chemicals.
Earthworm Marigold
Give your plants enough room for them to grow, and to minimize the spread of pests
and diseases if they occur.
Many individuals plant flowers which is good. It is also just as good to grow things that
are edible. For example, nasturtiums are beautiful flowers that can be eaten.
Growing edible plants can be very rewarding, such as reducing your food
bill. And if one were to replace his or her lawn or part of it with crops that
produce food that he or she consumes regularly such as tomatoes,
Organic Gardening Simple Steps By Leroy A. Brown www.cariporter.ca
parsley, lettuce, etc., he or she will not only save on grocery purchases,
but may also see cutbacks in their water bill.
4. Watering
Rainwater is best for plants and free. Therefore, store as much as possible from
roof(s) and the open air. It will definitely help in making your organic gardening less
costly, while reducing your water bill and conserving water.
If it rains do not water! Allow your garden to get almost dry, before watering again.
It is best to water in the mornings before the sun is fully up. This is because, plants
need water during the day to prevent water loss, and is important for photosynthesis.
Sprinkling the entire plant is good, however, ensure that the roots receive adequate
water.
Do not waterlog the soil! This can cause root disease(s) and ultimately kill the crop.
Nasturtium – edible flower Leroy with 10lb zucchinis grown in backyard
in Toronto, Canada
Use mulch such as grass cuttings and straw around the plant to conserve water and
prevent weeds.
Organic Gardening Simple Steps By Leroy A. Brown www.cariporter.ca
5. Dealing with weeds
Get weeds out by the root before you start planting. This will help to ensure they take
longer to grow back.
Use mulch such as grass cuttings, straw, wood chips, egg shells, etc. around the plants
to suppress weeds and conserve water.
6. Dealing with pests
Plant companion crops to help repel pests from your plants. For example, plant
peppers (companion crop) beside tomatoes.
You may also plant marigold that helps to get rid of pests.
Use homemade solutions such as water and garlic to get rid of whiteflies, aphids, and
so on. All solutions must be safe for you and the environment.
Planting organic seedlings Weeding using spade and hands
Practice crop rotation, which is growing plants in different locations each season. For
example, where you plant your tomatoes and peppers this year, switch them around
next year, or plant them in an entirely different location. This practice basically
“tricks” pests.
So go ahead and enjoy your organic gardening and like us at
https://www.facebook.com/yesorganic for more organic information