Benefits of Organic Gardening: Why You Should Start Gardening Naturally

Organic gardening is a trend that has been gaining momentum in recent years, with many people switching to organic methods when growing their own fruits and veggies. Whether you have your own garden or live in an apartment with access to a shared space, there are plenty of benefits to be gained from switching your usual chemicals and fertilizers for organic alternatives. This article will introduce you to the world of organic gardening and its benefits. Are you ready? Let’s get started!

What Is Organic Gardening?

Organic gardening is the use of natural and sustainable growing practices, such as avoiding synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, growing plants in natural soil and selecting the right plants for your region. While the term “organic gardening” is often used interchangeably with “sustainable gardening”, there is a subtle difference. Organic gardening refers to a specific set of sustainable growing practices. Sustainable gardening is a broader term that includes all types of gardening that are environmentally and economically friendly. Organic gardening is a method of gardening that emphasizes the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soils to avoid the build-up of toxic substances.

What Are The Benefits of Organic Gardening?

Organic Gardening is a lifestyle that can be applied to anything from growing your own food, to buying clothes and choosing products that are more environmentally and ethically sustainable. There are many benefits to switching over to organic gardening, but let’s take a look at the top 3: - Improved soil health - When applied correctly, organic gardening methods can actually increase the amount of organic matter in your soil. This leads to less weeds, better drainage and healthier soil. This is great because healthy soil can: retain more water, boost plant growth and give you a great return on investment. - Better yields - Research has proven that organic gardening can lead to better yields than conventional gardening methods. This is because the soil health mentioned above is essential for all plants. - Better for the environment - Organic gardening is better for the environment in a few ways. Firstly, less weeds are produced, so herbicides are not needed. Secondly, less synthetic fertilizers are used, so groundwater is protected from pollution. This, of course, leads to a better environment for us all.

How to Start an Organic Garden?

To start an organic garden, you first need to choose a location for your garden and prepare the soil. To prepare the soil for your new organic garden, you’ll want to add organic matter, such as compost or manure, to increase the soil’s fertility and water retention and decrease soil diseases and weeds by promoting microbial activity. You also want to avoid putting synthetic fertilizers, like synthetic nitrogen, into your soil as they can pollute groundwater. To plant your garden, you want to choose vegetables and fruits that are appropriate to your region (and climate if you can.) This is important because some plants like tomatoes and watermelons are not appropriate to all regions. Organic gardening is often very hands-on, so you want to be sure that you have the time to dedicate to your garden.

Possible Drawbacks of Organic Gardening

Organic gardening is a great way to go green, but there are a few drawbacks that you should be aware of: - More work - Organic gardening is often times more work than conventional gardening methods. This is because you have to do things manually, such as using a trowel to dig your soil and hand-picking weeds. - Costly - Although many of the initial costs of organic gardening are recouped in the long run, the upfront costs can be quite high. This is because you have to purchase organic seeds and start your own plants from scratch.

Final words: Should You Start an Organic Garden?

If you’ve read this far, you’ve seen the many benefits of organic gardening. So, now the question remains - should you start an organic garden? Organic gardening is great for the environment and your health, but it can be challenging depending on where you live. If you want to start an organic garden, we suggest you start small. Start with a container garden, or purchase a window box and start small with easy to grow veggies like lettuce and cherry tomatoes. Grow your garden slowly and make sure to put the work in. There’s nothing like biting into a freshly picked tomato that you grew yourself.