Six Easy Steps to Growing an Organic Garden

Make the switch to organic gardening methods gradually, if necessary, because even small steps can make a garden more eco-friendly and save energy and water.

Eliminate Lawn

Planting expanses of grass contributes to rain runoff. And lawns require lots of resources, including water along with time, energy and often, chemical fertilizers, to maintain. Lawns must be cut, which unless performed with a rotary mower, means extra noise pollution from power mowers and and fumes if the equipment is gasoline powered. More environmentally sustainable choices include trees, shrubs, flowers, ground covers, ferns and mulch or stone pathways. If it’s not possible to eliminate the entire lawn, nibble away at existing expanses by extending flower and shrub beds gradually.

Plant More Natives

Once established, native flowers, trees and shrubs will likely be able to happily survive on available water. So unless there is a drought, extra watering can often be eliminated. Natives are also more likely to withstand insect attacks and require fewer pesticides to maintain good health. And native plants attract native wildlife, including butterflies, dragonflies, birds and beneficial insects for pollination and insect pest control.

Attract Birds, Bats and Butterflies

Plant shrubs for the birds to find cover in and plenty of trees for nesting and perching on. A fountain or pond will provide a water source for birds, butterflies and dragonflies, who devour mosquito larvae. And birds eat harmful insects all season long, reducing the need for chemical controls. In the fall, leave some seed pods on plants like echinachea, along with dogwood fruits and holly berries, rose hips etc. for the birds who don’t migrate to forage on in winter.

Cut Out Pesticides

When birds and beneficial insects frequent a garden, there’s less need for pesticides to control harmful insect infestations. And healthy native plants, raised on organic fertilizers, like compost and manures, available water and pollinated by beneficial insects, are more likely to be successful at fending off disease and pest attacks. Aim to attract beneficial wildlife and then handpick pests off as necessary. For example, wash off afid infestations with a strong spray from the hose. Put out saucers of beer to lure slugs from plants.

Start a Compost Pile

A compost pile has a huge positive impact on the environment. Composting keeps tons of waste out of land fills and returns necessary nutrients to the soil. And the finished compost product is Mother Nature’s natural fertilizer.

Composting is simple.Toss grass clippings, weeds, leaves and vegetable kitchen scraps into a compost bin. Add water and a layer of soil and mix then occasionally with a pitch fork. In a few months the vegetation will naturally break down into a rich organic matter that can then be used to feed the garden and amend the soil.

Catch Some Rain

Keep some of the water from rainstorms on your property to use for watering. Purchase rain barrels and install them at the end of several downspouts. Choose barrels with locking lids to keep children safe. And a spigot will make accessing the collected water easier.

Eliminate lawn and catch some rain. Start a compost pile. Plant natives and attract birds and be well on the way to a healthy yard and garden