Home Gardening – How to Start a Successful Organic Garden

To ensure your success at having an organic home garden it is very important to start small. This will allow you to learn and become comfortable without being overwhelming.

Small is Best

Landscape Planting – Placing your starter plants among your existing landscape is quick and easy.

Small Beds – A small area no larger than 10 x 10 feet is the easiest to care for.

Use Containers – This method allows your starter plants to be close by and easy to manage. They can be on a porch, balcony or even near some bushes.

Plan Your Home Garden Location

Water – Having water close to your garden allows for easy access. Having to trudge heavy watering cans long distance can be both back breaking and frustrating.

Close to Your Kitchen – While this is not necessary, it sure is nice to step out of your kitchen to grab your own freshly grown produce.

Compost ” Having a compost pile at hand or at least a good wheel barrel will cut down on your labor.

Grow Your Personal Favorites

When you are purchasing your produce at a store, pay close attention, these are what you want to grow in your organic garden.

Grow what is expensive ” Are there certain vegetables you love to eat, but are very expensive in the store? If the plants will work in your climate zone, try growing them yourself.

Play with variety ” With home gardening, you have the freedom to experiment with diverse types of your favorites.

Keep it Easy

Use Plants versus Seeds – Seeds can create frustration for any beginner. To ensure your journey is enjoyable and easy, try using starter plants from your trusted local nursery.

Amend the Soil – Making sure to mix your soil with peat moss, compost or other amendable materials will allow for a better mixture that will provide your plants with proper moisture and nutrients. Compacted soils constrict plants from receiving much needed nutrients while soggy, clay can result in root rot. In addition, dry soil should be covered with at least two to four inches of mulch. This thick layer will promote moisture retention as well as fend off pesky weeds that steal plants much needed nutrients.

Use Mulch – Having a thick 2 to 4 inch layer in areas where the weather is dry helps to retain moisture for your growing plants as well as fend off pesky weeds.

Rhonda Abrons is life long fan of organic gardening. An experience organic gardener, she loves to share his knowledge and provide lessons about Raised Beds for Organic Vegetable Garden and Custom Soil Mix for Organic Garden on Clivir.com.