Organic foods are your way to go if you want to lead a healthier lifestyle and ensure that what you are taking in is fresh. You may find yourself being a regular at the organic foods section of your local supermarket, but have you considered that you could actually grow some of those items in your backyard. Why not try growing an organic vegetable garden? Other than giving your fresh food, it is also good for your mental health, as it doubles as a hobby.
If you are planning to have your own vegetable garden, you may find this quite complicated at first. Thankfully, there are some ways you can make this effort much easier and more efficient. Other than creating zones in your yards or finding mulch, here are some of the pointers that you may want to consider:
Prepping the soil
You are not supposed to plant veggies right away. You have to test if the soil in your yard is actually suitable for vegetable gardening, so the first thing that you may have to do is to condition the soil. This means making the soil healthy. When your soil is healthy, the plants will get the right amount of nutrients from it. Test the soil for its pH and nutrient levels. If you find that the soil lacks nutrients, there is some additional work to do.
Learn how to make good compost
Since you might have found out that the soil is not that healthy yet, the next step would be to enrich it. One way of adding more nutrients and minerals to it is by mixing in some compost. Compost not only feeds plants, but it also helps cuts down on weeds. Compost heaps are usually made of vegetable peelings, tea bags, grass cuttings, and plant pruning. These items break down fast and easily, thus providing the soil with nitrogen and moisture.
Get to know your veggies
It is important that you pick the plants that will easily suit the quality of your soil, its amount of moisture, and the sun in your area. When it comes to plant choices, indeterminate tomatoes, zucchini, old-fashioned pole beans, and sugar snaps are great for organic gardening. You may want to ask your local grower for recommendations.
Water the plants properly
Pick the right time for watering — and it is usually in the morning. This is because mornings are usually cool, so less amount of water will not evaporate. Do not just water the leaves and aim for the roots. If you have a good irrigation system, then better.
Your own organic vegetable garden will be your source of fresh, healthful food. It will also help you save some money, which you used to spend on the organic food section of your grocery. There may be some challenges along the way when you start gardening, but there are always solutions to them. Consider seeking the advice of a family member or friend who has started their own organic garden.
