Nine Essential Rules for Organic Gardening

Organic gardening is a wonderful experience that not only produces great results but benefits the environment, as well.  If you use organic gardening practices, you are doing your part to ensure the health of our planet, while providing yourself and your family with fresh, healthy produce or a beautiful yard full of lovely blooms–or both!  Here are nine essential rules to follow to get the best results from your organic gardening, no matter what size your yard or garden, or what you plan to cultivate.

• Compost your soil. Soil is the foundation of any yard or garden, so healthy, well-composted soil is a non-negotiable item for organic gardening.  You can work organic compost into your soil or build your own!  Creating a compost bed not only gives you a rotating supply of compost but also helps you recycle kitchen waste–another great way to sustain our planet’s health.
• Avoid planting too much of the same plant in the same spot. Spread your plants out, with others in between, whenever possible.  Planting too much of one thing in a single spot can make that bed a target for insects or microbes that feed on a particular variety.  By spreading out your crop, you make it less of a target and add visual interest to your garden.
• Create footpaths to prevent walking on your beds. It is especially important if you garden directly in the ground to prevent walking on your beds, which leads to compaction of the soil.  Instead, provide clear walking paths that will allow you to work around your beds without stepping into them.  Low fencing or barriers can also keep small animals and children away.  You can also consider raised beds, which not only provide compaction protection but can be an aid in controlling watering.
• Control pests early. The best time to deal with a pest problem is before it proliferates.  The first sign you see of insects or disease, take steps to remove them.  There are many options for controlling pests, many of them completely natural, but they work best when they are applied early.
• Feed your plants regularly. Using a good organic mixture to feed your plants will give you the results you want without harming your soil or other plants.  There are plenty of organic fertilizers available that not only provide nutrients but also help you develop the beneficial microbes in the soil that allow your plants to uptake those nutrients.
• Use synthetic pest control judiciously. There may be times when a synthetic pest control option is the only one that will work.  In these cases, be sure to choose one that targets only the specific pest you are after.  One of the biggest problems with pesticides is that they can take out the “good” insects as well as the bad!
• Establish birdhouses near your crops, and you will find that your insect problems diminish.  Insects are birds’ natural food, so attracting feathered friends will give you an instant way to cut down on insect problems in your garden.  Of course, they may also eat some of your crops, so be mindful of what you are planting–or be prepared to share!
• Allow crops to flower. By allowing some crops to flower or “bolt” at the end of their season, you provide beneficial nectar for pollinators.  These are often the insects you want to attract to help your other plants bloom. 
• You simply cannot mulch too much!  It provides a layer of natural protection for your beds that holds in water and nutrients and keeps roots warm.  Be sure to keep mulch at the right height for the plants you have.

If you want help developing a beautiful, organically maintained yard, Juniper Landscape Company is here for you!  Give us a call today to learn more about how we can help you design, build, and maintain the outdoor space you want.