The winter has been long and the itch to get out into the garden and get your hands dirty is strong. Many gardeners are wondering how to catch up after the late
arrival of spring.
There are many things you can be doing in your garden right now, including raking up leaves and debris left over from last fall, uncovering perennial beds, pruning dead growth from roses and shrubs and edging your perennial beds before the grass starts to creep in.
You can also spend these early spring days browsing nurseries for native plants to fill your garden plot when the weather finally warms up enough or working with a landscape designer to plan the garden of your dreams. Start vegetable and flower
seedlings indoors now – in just a few short weeks, you’ll be outside digging.
As people begin to plan their gardens for this season many are looking into the concept of organic gardening and wondering exactly what it entails.
In a nutshell, organic gardening is the simple practice of nourishing soil and the plants that grow in it with living microorganisms, instead of with artificial chemicals and fertilizers.
Organic gardeners recognize that the soil is actually a living part of the garden and adding organic matter through the application of compost, mulch, manure, etc. makes that soil healthy.
These ingredients feed microbes and earthworms living in the soil, creating an environment rich with water, air and other nutrients essential for growth. Soil that is not cared for with organic materials will ultimately die because it becomes depleted of nutrients.
There are numerous environmental benefits to gardening naturally, including:
• Reduction of chemical waste;
• Safer yards for kids and pets to play in;
• Insects and birds are not exposed to harmful chemicals;
• Less need for chemical pesticides because plants are naturally healthier and disease resistant;
• Organically rich soil resists erosion and is less affected by drought; and
• Grass clippings and leaves can be recycled into the garden as mulch or natural fertilizer.
If you wish to make the switch from chemical to organic fertilizing methods, there are a few important points to consider.
First and foremost you must understand that initially your plants or lawn may not appear as beautiful as you’d like. If the garden has been treated with chemical fertilizers over the years, the soil is not going to be in optimal condition. After a year or two of organic gardening, though, your plants and lawns will start to flourish.
To get started with organic gardening you should do a soil test. Soil test kits are widely available and fairly inexpensive. The test will indicate the levels of pH, phosphorous, potassium and organic matter already present in your soil.
After you get the test results back, feel free to bring them to your local nursery for help interpreting the information. Once you know what your soil lacks, you can add the correct materials to resolve any issues and plant vegetation suitable for that soil
environment.
This is a win-win situation – your plants will thrive and you’ll get more reward with less effort.
Spring is a perfect time to add organic matter to your garden or lawn. Putting down a thin layer of organic compost will allow the microbes to get to work – digging themselves deeply into the soil. This will give your lawn a great boost early in the growing season.
When planting in containers, flower beds or vegetable gardens, be sure to mix organic compost and organic potting soil together and then mix or till them into the garden.
Throughout the season, there are also many natural practices you can adopt to keep your lawn and gardens weed-free and healthy.
• Water infrequently, as little as every 7 days. But water deeply. This practice promotes deep root growth and your plants will be less affected by drought.
• Cut your lawn high. Mow grass to a height of 3-4 inches. This prevents sunlight from germinating any weed seeds resting there.
• Handpick harmful pests such as grubs and Japanese beetles from plants and place them in a bucket of soapy water.
• Collect rainwater in buckets and use that to water your garden and flower pots. This practice should also help lower your water bill.
• Compost with dead leaves, grass clippings and healthy vegetation that’s been pruned – these decompose into great organic matter that can be added back into your soil.
If you encounter a problem that needs aggressive attention, keep in mind that there are natural pesticide options available which are less damaging to the environment. If you choose an organic pesticide, though, remember it’s still vitally important to use the product according to the label.
Organic gardening is a great way to maximize the beauty of your garden while also protecting our planet.
Terry Skillin is a member of the Skillin family, which for five generations has owned and operated Skillins Greenhouses in Brunswick, Cumberland and Falmouth. This Maine family business was founded in 1885 by Alexander Skillin to provide seedlings and produce to the local area.Go online to www.skillins.com for more information.
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