Going into the supermarket without noticing the influx of organic products is almost impossible. Organic vegetables that were once sold primarily in health food stores are now staples in most groceries. You no longer have to search for “organic food near me” to find what you want. But growing your own organic garden will let you enjoy the health benefits of organic at a lower cost.

What Makes Organic Produce Better?

You may have heard that organic is healthier, more nutritious, and safer. With regards to nutrition, there’s little evidence to show that organic vegetables contain any more vitamins than their conventional counterparts. Rather, it’s what isn’t in organic produce that makes it a healthier choice.

Plants grown organically have much lower levels of a toxic metal called “cadmium.” The metal is in the soil and is absorbed by plants. Organic plants also have lower levels of pesticide residue found in conventional produce. Not using synthetic pesticides on plants is the reason there is less pesticide residue and, possibly, the reason there is less cadmium. Using organic pesticides instead of chemicals is the biggest difference between growing an organic garden and a traditional one.

One of the biggest obstacles to buying organic is the cost. At a time when grocery prices are already elevated, people are rethinking the need to pay even more for produce. If you already buy organic, the most significant benefit of organic gardening is saving money. If you’re considering going organic for the first time, start by learning a little more about the benefits and what goes into growing an organic garden.

Getting Started

Some of the basics of growing an organic garden are the same as for traditional gardens. Even if you’ve never planted a traditional garden, the following steps will help you grow healthy organic vegetables in no time.

1. Choose the Location

You don’t have to have a lot of space for your garden, just the right conditions. Choose an area that gets full sun for at least 6 hours and that you can reach with the water hose. If you don’t have an ideal spot for your plot, consider using organic raised beds. These elevated garden beds are popular for several reasons, including:

• Less compacted soil means better drainage
• No tilling of the soil
• They warm earlier in the spring resulting in earlier growth
• They are easier to maintain
• They help keep out pests

A raised organic garden bed gives you more control over soil quality. You control what goes into your garden without putting any pressure on your back!

2. Start With Healthy Soil

You need to start with the right garden soil to grow healthy organic vegetables. Most importantly, your garden needs organic matter such as peat moss, manure, or compost. For a small garden, you can purchase organic compost in small quantities or create your own compost pile. For large gardens, you may need to buy compost in bulk. The coverage area should be listed on the back of the bag.

3. Add Mulch for Weed Control

You can purchase wood mulch or use cardboard, newspapers, or any biodegradable material. Spread the mulch directly on the soil to create a barrier between the weeds and the sunlight. A 1- or 2-inch layer of mulch will help prevent weeds from germinating and protect your plants from fungal disease spores. As the mulch decomposes, it adds additional organic matter to the soil.

4. Apply Organic Fertilizer

Fertilizer helps plants grow faster and increases crop yield. You can purchase organic fertilizer in a bag or, if available, use well-rotted manure from animals that eat plants, such as horses, sheep, and chickens.

5. Pick the Right Plants

Get seedlings that are healthy looking with no yellow or wilting leaves. Try to avoid plants with buds or flowers. Know your plant hardiness zone to determine when to plant each type of vegetable.

6. Maintain Your Garden

There is more to growing an abundant organic garden than just planting the seedlings and waiting for them to grow. You should check on your garden daily and provide any care it needs. The three basic steps of maintaining your garden are:

• Keep it watered without over-watering.
• Keep out weeds.
• Get rid of pests.

New gardeners often run a bigger risk of over-watering rather than under-watering. Too much water increases the risk of developing fungal diseases. A good rule of thumb is to hydrate your organic garden with about 1 inch of water per week spread over about three days. Account for any rainfall. You won’t water the same amount during a rainy week as you would during a dry one.

You will have to water seedlings more often, usually twice daily. Once their root systems are established, you can follow a regular watering schedule.

Weeds tend to make an appearance early, competing for water and nutrients. They also increase the number of pests in the garden. Get control early on by pulling them up right after rain or watering.

Consider planting companion flowers that naturally repel pests, such as chrysanthemums and marigolds. Everything you do to deter pests in your garden will also reduce the need for toxic chemicals. Use only organic pesticides if you still need to spray your vegetable plants.

7. Enjoy Your Harvest

Nothing is more satisfying than harvesting fresh, healthy vegetables from your organic garden.

Get Top Quality Organic Products From Grange Co-op

Stop paying high prices for organic vegetables and enjoy the satisfaction of growing your own organic garden. Shop online or in a Grange Co-op store near you for organic pesticides, fertilizers, garden soil, and more. Contact us with questions about our products or for help getting started.