Believe it or not, spring is just around the corner! To many of us, this means birds chirping, flowers blooming, and hours spent in the garden of your dreams.
Organic gardening differs from traditional gardening because it’s a way to grow produce and flowers without any synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. But this practice goes beyond just incorporating natural fertilizers and pest control. In fact, it touches on a philosophy of thinking about your garden as part of a larger system within nature that includes the air, water, soil, people, and wildlife.
Here are 6 tips for getting your organic garden prepped and ready for spring!
Prep the Soil
Soil prep is incredibly important as we turn the page from winter and get ready for spring. If you live in a cold, snowy area, watch the weather for warmer days where the ground thaws so you can start getting out in the garden. This is the time to start breaking up the soil, or even using a tiller if you have a large garden. Digging and tilling helps to loosen and aerate the soil to prepare it for planting. Also, remove any debris from your garden while working on the soil to eliminate any potential pest infestations.
Order Seeds
Picking out which plants you will grow is the really fun part of gardening. Ask your local gardening store about which organic seeds it has in stock. You can also order seeds online from organic suppliers like Seeds of Change, Grow Organic, and Planet Natural. If you want to get a jump-start on planting, you can start your seeds indoors with some organic seed-starting mix and sterilized containers.
Set Up a Compost Area
Composting is one of the best things you can do for your organic garden. Instead of buying compost in a bag at the nursery, save food and yard waste to make your own at home. This is a great way to reuse household waste in an affordable and eco-friendly way that also benefits your plants. Compost can easily be collected in an old trash can with holes poked in it, an enclosure with cement blocks, or an area of mesh fencing.
Choose a Good Fertilizer
The fertilizer you choose can make a huge difference in how your plants turn out. We recommend using Seagate Fish Fertilizer Concentrate, derived from whole anchovies and sardines caught along the shores of Baja California.
It’s great for flowers, trees, and vegetables, and it typically lasts 4 to 5 months between applications. For new plantings, apply at least one teaspoon of the concentrate into the hole excavated for the new plant. Then place the root ball on top of the fertilizer and cover with soil.
Inspect Garden Tools
Every gardener has his or her favorite tools, but these tend to wear down over time and rust with age. It helps to scrub down old tools with an abrasive pad to get last year’s dirt and rust off. Moving parts made of metal can benefit from a little oil as well. This is something you can start working on in the garage even if the temperatures where you live haven’t warmed up yet.
Fix Fences
A healthy organic garden can also benefit from fencing for all-natural pest control. Before you begin to plant, take some time to inspect your fences, because posts tend to rot over time and after wet winter conditions. This also goes for bowing boards on any raised planter beds you have in your garden.
What are you planning to grow in your garden this year? Share with us in the comments section below!