1. What is “organic gardening” anyway?
Organic gardening is often defined in negative terms, as in “gardening without the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.” In fact, organic gardening is much more than that. It is a system of positive, holistic practices designed to mimic nature rather than master it. Natural ecosystems are balanced because they are complex and diverse. The goal of all organic practices is to increase the biodiversity of the garden, from adding compost to feed the billions of soil organisms to planting crops that attract beneficial insects to feed on plant pests.
2. What kind of fertilizer can I use?
Don’t focus on fertilizing plants. Rather, try to build a healthy soil rich in organic matter. Healthy soil produces strong healthy plants that are resistant to drought, pests and disease. You can increase soil organic matter by adding compost, composted manure, leaf mulch, grass clippings (unsprayed), or turning under a crop of grass, peas or beans.
Some organic growers also use bagged fertilizers made from natural organic sources, such as blood meal, cottonseed meal, alfalfa meal, seaweed, fish, greensand or pulverized rock. Fertilizers and potting mixes that are labeled “OMRI-approved” meet the strict requirements of the USDA organic rule.
3. Can I use Miracle Gro in my garden?
No! Miracle Gro is a synthetic fertilizer and not allowed in organic gardening.
4. Are worms good?
Absolutely! Worms are an indicator of healthy soil rich in organic matter. Worms help improve the soil’s structure by “aerating” it with their tunneling, and their droppings – called castings – are a rich source of plant nutrients.
5. Where can I buy organic insecticides?
In your packet is a resource list, which includes stores and mail order companies that sell supplies for organic growers, including pesticides. However, you may not need them. Organic gardening practices create a balanced system where no one pest gets out of control and where nature provides solutions, like beneficial insects. Organic gardeners also use techniques such as excluding pests with fabric row covers, companion planting, crop rotation and good garden sanitation to manage damaging insects and disease. Even in a balanced garden system, there may be some insect or disease damage. When the level of damage is unacceptable, as a last resort, organic gardeners use natural pesticides.
6. What is companion planting?
Companion planting is the practice or planting different species next to each other, such as when carrots are inter-planted with lettuce or basil is planted between tomatoes. It works because it breaks up a monoculture. Different pests and diseases attack different plants. By mixing species, no one insect or disease is allowed to grow out of control because of an unlimited and uninterrupted food supply. Also, different plants attract different beneficial insects, which attack harmful insects. And some plants can repel pests. For example, planting garlic among vegetables can help fend off Japanese beetles, aphids and spider mites. Or interplant marigolds among cucurbits to discourage cucumber beetle. Companion planting is also a great way to increase biodiversity in the garden, which is the goal of the organic gardener.
7. What is crop rotation?
Crop rotation is a fundamental organic practice where the same type of plant or plant family is not planted in the same spot two years in a row. The main purpose of crop rotation is to prevent pests and disease. Naturally occurring soil pests tend to have an appetite for a particular crop or family. For example, the fungus that causes Fusarium wilt loves tomatoes and other members of the Solanaceous family, which includes potatoes, eggplant and peppers. If tomatoes are planted in the same spot year after year, these organisms will have all the food they need to grow out of control and ultimately destroy the crop. By rotating crops, the gardener keeps certain pathogenic organisms in check while encouraging other, beneficial ones. The result is a naturally balanced system where disease is kept under control. Crop rotation also helps to maintain soil fertility by not taking the same nutrients from the soil each year.
8. About compost – doesn’t is stink and attract rats?
Compost should not stink. A bad smell means the compost doesn’t have enough air. If the pile is saturated or compacted, then the composting process changes from aerobic – with oxygen – to anaerobic – without oxygen. The anaerobic process smells very bad. You can make your compost sweet-smelling again simply by turning it with a spading fork and adding some course dry material, such as straw or dry leaves.
Also, never add meat or grease to your compost. These will attract animals, including rats. You can also contain your compost in a bin or garbage can – with holes drilled for good aeration – to keep out critters.
9. How do I know the food I buy is really organic?
You can be 100% certain when you grow it yourself. Otherwise, look for food that is certified organic. Organic certification gives consumers assurance that the food they are buying has met the USDA standards for organic production. Also, if possible, buy from local organic growers and get to know them and their farming practices. That way, you will feel more confident that you know what you are getting.
10. Why does organic cost so much more?
One reason is that organic farming is more labor intensive. For example, instead of spraying herbicides, organic farmers often cultivate frequently to control weeds. Also, the federal government subsidizes the production of conventionally-grown food by the largest growers, so consumers don’t pay the full price.
11. What do I do about weeds?
First, keep the garden small or on a scale that you can manage easily without getting overwhelmed. A few minutes spent hand hoeing or pulling weeds every couple of days should keep weeds under control. Or let mulch do the work for you! A layer of straw or shredded leaves will suppress weeds and gradually add organic matter to the soil. Between crop rows, a thick layer of newspapers or cardboard covered with mulch makes a week-free path.
12. Do I need to get my soil tested and how do I do it?
It’s a good idea to get your soil tested before you plant your garden and then every couple of years after that. A soil test will let you know if you need to add certain nutrients or adjust your soil pH. You can buy a soil test kit from your county Rutgers Cooperative Extension office for about $10 (check price). The kit comes with instructions on how to take a soil sample, which you then mail to Rutgers. About two weeks later you should receive a report. Just be sure to mark on your form that you want organic recommendations.
Article Taken from: The Home Garden Zone
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