7 Tips For Growing Organic Food

I visit the local farmer’s market on weekends to get the freshest fruits and vegetables that I can find. As I browse the stands I wonder how much time and effort goes into producing those delicious foods. As everyday consumers, we can grow some of our own food without all the labor of the average farmer. Here are a few tips to help anyone grow their own food organically.

1. Seeds grow in the soil. Who said that that soil had to be on the ground? Growing fruits and vegetables in containers is a good way to get a sampling of several different plants. Container gardeners can use fertilizer free potting soil as the medium to grow their food.

2. Use natural insect repellants. Mint leaves have been shown to repel ants. Crushing the leaves releases the offensive mint oils. There are pesticides that derive from flowers that can be used to kill some insects. Even sprays made from soaps can kill them. Substances like eucalyptus and camphor possess such vapors that can be used as natural repellants without harmful side effects to the food.

3. Instead of buying that big bag of fertilizer at the store, create your own compost pile. Banana peels can be used as a type of fertilizer due to the potassium they contain. Plants that require an alkaline soil medium can grow with an ammonia and water liquid fertilizer added to the soil.

4. If you are preparing the soil in your yard for organic gardening, determine the type of soil that you have. There are three categories: clay, loam, and sand. Loam is the best, because it holds water, but is easily manageable when you have to till the soil.

5. Choose plants that are perfect for growing in your zone. Depending on where you live, certain foods may have a harder time thriving than others. Seed catalogues list under each offering a list of the zones that are favorable for that particular plant.

6. Collect rain water. You will need to use your hose from time to time, but collecting rain water in barrels will help to lower your water bill. The barrels can be stored in a shed to reduce the rate of evaporation of the water. Visit your local feed and seed store to buy rain collecting devices.

7. Weeds and grass will grow even though you’ve prepared the soil. Weeds and grass compete with your plants and steal the water and nutrients from the soil. The crops must be kept weed and grass free to survive.

Organic gardening can be fun and rewarding. Your crops will be fresher and tastier without all of the chemicals. Your body will thank you for it.

 

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