When you think organic, you think completely natural---what could be easier than that? On the contrary, there's a lot more to organic gardening than it sounds. Even if you're familiar with gardening, there are mistakes to watch out for when you decide to go organic in the garden.
By Melissa Dunlap, SheKnows
The biggest mistake first-time organic gardeners make is being too organic and letting the garden take care of itself. Even organic gardens need help from fertilizers and need pest control. The goal of being organic is to eliminate the use of inorganic chemicals that can harm beneficial insects or change the careful balance of microorganisms in the soil. The goal is not to ignore fertilizers or pest control.
[post_ads]With that said, it's important to recognize what types of fertilizers to use and how often. Using inorganic fertilizers, even once in a great while, changes a garden from being organic to just being a regular garden. Harsh chemical fertilizers offer nothing to the soil---they just give a quick burst of nutrients that can spur plant growth. Organic fertilizers, on the other hand, are part of a cycle of taking care of your soil to ensure it is fertile and well-balanced for future gardens.
But, even organic fertilizers can be harmful if used incorrectly. Although they are natural and safe (some even safe enough to eat), they do contain the same mineral and nutrient ingredients (NPK) as the manmade stuff, the main difference is that organic fertilizers come from organic sources. More fertilizer isn't necessarily better, because too much of any nutrient can change the soil balance.
Another organic gardening mistake is improper planning. All gardens need some degree of planning, but to be truly organic you'll want to take into consideration companion planting and crop rotation.
See more at: SheKnows
[post_ads]With that said, it's important to recognize what types of fertilizers to use and how often. Using inorganic fertilizers, even once in a great while, changes a garden from being organic to just being a regular garden. Harsh chemical fertilizers offer nothing to the soil---they just give a quick burst of nutrients that can spur plant growth. Organic fertilizers, on the other hand, are part of a cycle of taking care of your soil to ensure it is fertile and well-balanced for future gardens.
But, even organic fertilizers can be harmful if used incorrectly. Although they are natural and safe (some even safe enough to eat), they do contain the same mineral and nutrient ingredients (NPK) as the manmade stuff, the main difference is that organic fertilizers come from organic sources. More fertilizer isn't necessarily better, because too much of any nutrient can change the soil balance.
Another organic gardening mistake is improper planning. All gardens need some degree of planning, but to be truly organic you'll want to take into consideration companion planting and crop rotation.
See more at: SheKnows
