Perhaps this season is the best time for planting a new garden and beginning organic gardening. Everyone goes about this fun process differently yet there are some ways to make it more organized. In a few seasons, it will be time to offer precious organic gardening tips to others. For now, here is how to plan organic gardening for the beginner.
Purchase a Gardening Journal
One excellent way to begin organic gardening is to purchase a gardening journal. Apart from being really charming, garden journals are very practical tools to have. They are fine for recording planting dates and anticipated harvest dates. Also, many people like to sketch flowers and shrubs in them.
Make a Garden Map or Plan
The next thing to do is to make an organized garden map or plan. This is normally a drawing of the garden and which crops will be planted in the space. Along with sketches, it is also good to include written information in here, such as the location of the main water source for the garden. This map will change at times if a good crop rotation plan is followed.
Check Out Seed Catalogs
Organic gardening catalogs are wonderful resources. Normally, they are full of information on helpful products and tools. Perusing seed catalogs can really give a sense of all that is available in terms of plant varieties and seed types. Catalogs are full of information for various stages of plant growth.
Visit Local Nurseries
Many feel that it is best to buy from local nurseries. This is because in organic gardening it is deemed correct to “buy local” on the assumption that owners of local nurseries will know most about local climate conditions and pests. Owners of local nurseries can often be a great source of help to beginning organic gardeners. Get in the habit of visiting the local nursery.
Starting a backyard plot can be so much fun and surprisingly can yield a huge quantity of food. Begin by picking the seed that will provide the best food. It may take some time and even a few “failures” to find the best system. Remember the importance of soil conditions. Finally, bear in mind that each season becomes more productive. Enjoy organic gardening and it will be a great hobby for years to come.
Source:
Land, L. (2003) the New York Times 1000 Gardening Questions and Answers. New York, NY: Workman Publishing Company.