How can a garden space be produced that is free from synthetic fertilizers and pesticides?
Organic practices have been practiced and passed down for generations, but not all methods have been thoroughly scientifically researched. The idea of organic gardening is to emphasize the use of natural and sustainable techniques, such as composting and crop rotation, to maintain healthy soil and promote plant growth.
How To Make fertile Soil
Im sure you have heard the quote, "Feed the soil and let the soil feed the plants." Well, this is the idea behind creating organically rich soil.
The composition of good soil is approximately 40-50% mineral solids such as sand, silt, and clay, 5% organic matter, and also a porous space of both air and water at a rate of 25% each. The soil in your location may vary, but it is usually a good idea for home gardeners to increase their organic matter, especially where I am from because the ground is mostly clay. ( I will get more in-depth with soil development in a later blog)
Organic Gardening with Living Soil
What is present in living soil?
To have living soil, you must have a combination of bacteria, fungi, earthworms, insects, and other arthropods. Each component has a specific function in your soil to either break down compounds or release nutrients back into the soil.
Specifically, the Mycorrhizal fungi uptake nutrients from the soil and directly provide nutrients to the root system for that specific plant. At the same time, they absorb inorganic nutrients that the plant can not take in on its own and deliver them in a manner in which the plant can then absorb. So it is a beautiful cycle when the systems are in order.
Preparing your soil
Different types of compost, cover crops/green manure, animal manures, and organic fertilizers may be used to amend and help develop living soil.
If you are gardening in raised beds it is most common to top dress with compost or mulch, while on a larger scale garden, some may want to incorporate the compost into the soil with machinery. I am an advocate for no or low till, but there are times when you need to aerate the soil and in this instance, a broad fork should be used.
The no-till method has many benefits and has grown in popularity in the past few years. The advantage of using this method is that the weed seeds remain suppressed, lowering the germination of unwanted weeds. The soil aggregates are unmangled which allows the soil to hold together in place, reducing erosion. The best part is the mycorrhizal fungi are undisturbed and can provide nutrients to the plants.
Keeping it organic
There are many aspects you need to consider when deciding to grow organically, and there is a difference between using organic practices and being organically certified.
Organic guidelines were established by Congress in 2002 and have expanded since then. To be certified as an organic grower on a commercial scale you must have extensive records and inspections. If you are a home grower going to market you still must follow the guidelines, but if you do not exceed $5000 in sales at a Market you do not need certification. It is a good idea if you are claiming to be using organic methods or have organic in your signage to understand the practices that are involved in growing organically.
When producing organic food there are some things to consider,
Seeds - untreated and non-GMO
Seedlings - are started in an organic mix, and only organic fertilizers are used. Pest control - Use organic practices when controlling prest pressure.
Weed control - Hand cultivation, Thermal removal, inter-cropping, cover crops, and mulching - (Know that the type of weeds that are grown can be an indication of your soil health.)
Mulches - make sure your green mulches have not been treated or sprayed, using items like cardboard that does not have any ink or dyes, or using a landscape fabric that is designed for organic gardening.
Disease and pest
I'm sure you are asking how I keep my plants healthy and control pests in my garden if I can't use pesticides. Some safeguards may be used, and also OMRI-approved products can help.
Diseases
Sanitation:
The first key to keeping your plants healthy is sanitation. Make sure you are sanitizing your implements every time you use them to prevent the spread of diseases.
Crop rotation:
Crop rotation is also very helpful when trying to keep your soil healthy. When planting the same type of vegetables in the same place year after year the soil will become depleted of nutrients creating a home for the pest to live.
Seed selection:
When selecting your seeds choose cultivars that are resistant to certain common diseases.
Cultural practices:
Make sure you are watering at the base of your plants preventing the foliage from getting saturated. Pruning and trellising can prevent disease by increasing airflow, and light penetration.
Organic sprays:
There are very few approved organic treatments for disease control, they are limited to sulfur, lime sulfur, copper, horticulture oils, neem oil, or bicarbonates. You should always check your guidelines before using products that claim to be organic.
Insects
There will be insects in every garden. The practices for organic gardens are very similar to practices of conventional gardens except for the use of certain insecticides.
The best practices are as followed.
Avoidance by varying plant times.
Waiting until the ground is warm enough so the seeds can establish quickly.
Using transplants instead of direct sowing when possible.
Use floating row covers before the flowers open, removing them when plants flower for pollination.
Placing cans or cups into your soil around your transplants to prevent certain pests from reaching your plant.
Monitor and scout often, and if pests are visible hand pick as many as possible.
Trap crops can be used in small garden spaces but might be more practical in larger gardens. This is where a plant attracts pests to it leaving your primary crop alone. The pest can be eliminated by destroying it or by removing the entire trap crop along with the pest. Diversity, also known as companion planting, is a great practice for organic growers. Certain plants will attract predatory insects that feed on the unwanted insects helping you defend your seedlings. But, if all of these practices fail there are OMRI-approved insecticides that can be used that are less toxic than the synthetic versions.
Now that you have a better understanding of organic gardening, you can start implementing some or all of these practices into your home garden.
~Happy gardening!
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