Currently there are hundreds of households that have decided to no longer depend on buying fruits and vegetables in the usual markets and stores, since they prefer to grow their own in their own organic garden. In this article you will be able to know everything about this topic, we invite you to continue reading.
Ecological garden
An organic garden is a type of cultivation that seeks to make the most of the soil's nutrients, the use of fertilizers and, most importantly, can be built at home. In addition, it is a style where a series of ancient techniques are used for the development of any crop, showing that it is not necessary to use modern techniques to obtain great results. On the other hand, it should be noted that every organic garden must do without the addition of chemical products, thus favoring the environment.
However, this does not mean that it is not necessary to enrich the soil and that the plants are free from attacks by insects or fungi. The point is that our actions harm the rest of the ecosystem as little as possible. For this, it is important that the vegetables grow in a soil rich in nutrients, undergo preventive treatments and do not consider the visit of insects as a pest. When the garden is newly designed, the first thing to consider is its size.
In general, it is recommended to use a wide and uniform place, for example 1,50 x 1,50 square meters, which allows easy access to the plants without ever stepping on the planting areas. Between these spaces paths with a width of at least 1 meter are maintained. It is advisable to start with a small garden and expand it in successive years. In addition, it should be noted that a garden must receive at least eight hours of sunlight a day and have a good supply of water. Rotation allows soil nutrients to be used optimally.
Location of the organic garden
It is a very important aspect, since it needs to receive several hours of sun a day and not be near trees or walls that give it shade. To do this, the path of the sun will be observed throughout the day in the chosen area, observing when the light begins and ends, especially in the months of spring to autumn, when most vegetable plants reach their full development. If the chosen location is very exposed to strong winds, the plants can easily dry out. In this case, it is advisable to protect the area about 45 cm high and pay special attention to watering.
Irrigation and soil preparation
A continuous supply of water to the garden is essential in spring and summer, especially for all newly sown seeds and newly transplanted seedlings. Therefore, it is important to think about the ease of water supply when deciding the location of the garden. Nutrient-rich, organic soil is essential for the growth of strong, healthy plants. If analysis of the substrate reveals it to be clay or sand, it should be changed. The best time to prepare your garden soil is in the fall. Its structure is improved and it is allowed to rest in winter.
Nutrients an organic garden should have for plants include phosphorus for growth and roots; potassium for the correct growth of fruits and flowers and nitrogen, the most important for the development of stems and leaves. On the other hand, you can use compost like vermicompost, mulch, and organic mixes that are sold at garden centers. But you can also apply homemade compost. There is no trend towards the use of peat to improve soil structure as peat areas are depleted due to overuse.
To prepare the soil, the first thing is to remove all the weeds that are in the selected area. Then a hole of about 20 centimeters should be opened to remove the lumps from the plow and eliminate the stones and roots that appear. Organic material, humus and sand are then added as needed and mixed to incorporate these elements into the soil. Therefore, at the right time, you can proceed to planting.
Cultivation of the Organic Garden
The cultivation is done in spring with organically grown seeds. Depending on the time it takes for each vegetable to develop, it is sown every 15 days, for example, to organize production times as much as possible and always take crop rotation into account. Many seeds can be sown directly into the ground; others, however, should be planted in pots and, if the seedlings have at least four leaves, planted in the ground with the root ball that has developed. In garden centers you can find seedlings of various types of vegetables.
What to do with weeds in an organic garden?
It is very important to be able to highlight the relevance of constantly carrying out the task of keeping the weeds that can come out in the organic garden under control. They must be removed by hand before they set or flower. If this is done regularly, they will appear less and less. A denser planting prevents weeds from developing due to lack of light as long as there is room for vegetables and everything else planted. Chemical herbicides are prohibited in an organic garden.
Pests in the garden
On the other hand, pests in organic crops are controlled without pesticides. Usually the method is to attract the natural predators of harmful insects. Plants with a lot of nectar and scent attract birds and beneficial insects that are responsible, among other things, for keeping aphids, snails and whiteflies under control. A good stream of water can remove aphids attached to young shoots and buds without damaging the plant. Ladybugs and especially their larvae are true aphid eaters.
Among the birds, it is convenient to attract the blue tit, placing a container with water for them to bathe. Earwigs are insects that feed on flower buds. During the day they sleep, so when the flowers are shaken they fall to the ground, where they can be stepped on. An effective trap is to place a flat can on the bottom; it will attract them during the night and allow them to be kidnapped the next day. Snails and slugs are very harmful to young plants.
They attack at night and during the day they hide in moist places such as the bottom of pots or under stones and driftwood. Foil trapping also works, as do slugs sprinkled with salt or placing chopped eggshells around baby greens to deter them. Frogs and toads are another natural predator of these nematodes. Having a small pond near the garden favors the presence of these amphibians.
Another trick to deter certain harmful insects is to use some strong-smelling plants. This is the case of Tagetes, which are used as repellents against insects, especially whiteflies. It is advisable to plant them near tomato and cucumber plants, which are very susceptible to being attacked by this pest. Calendula roots also stink and repel nematodes from the soil. Other plants that prevent pests are fragrant geraniums (genus Pelargonium) and fragrant basil. Planting onions and chives together makes them stronger due to their smell, which repels carrot flies.
Which is better soil, clay or sandy?
Clay soil retains water, is heavy, and when squeezed by hand, it rolls up into a ball. Its fine texture prevents drainage, which can cause puddles and suffocation root rot. In hot, dry summers it compacts and becomes a very hard soil that prevents the roots from accessing oxygen. The seeds hardly develop in them, so it is convenient to germinate them in pots and then transplant them. Their structure is modified by mixing them very well with sand to make them less heavy and organic matter that loosens and enriches them. The advantage is that they contain many nutrients.
Sandy soils, on the other hand, are light and crumble when picked up by hand; of coarse texture you can see the grains of sand. They allow water to pass through easily and remove nutrients. They heat up quickly in the sun and dry easily. It is also important to highlight the importance of fertilizing and watering regularly, in addition to the fact that a significant contribution of organic matter is required at the time of preparation. Seeds easily germinate in them.
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