Thursday, July 7, 2011

Top 5 Tips for Organic Gardening

My cat, Mini, loves
stomping around in my garden!
Since the pesticide ban in Ontario, we've all had to learn how to garden organically. I have to say that there are days when I feel like Elmer Fudd - "I'll get you, you scwewy slug!" Or cat, as the case may be.

I think the trick is to not expect perfection and to plan ahead. That being said, here are my top 5 organic gardening tips.
  1. Mulch - mulching keeps weeds at bay and helps to keep moisture in the ground.
  2. Don't leave bare spaces - weeds always seem to find that bare patch of garden.  Plant something or mulch.
  3. Location, location, location - choose a spot with suitable light, whether full sun, partial sun or shade.
  4. Companion plant - different combinations of plants help each other. Companion planting can  attract beneficial insects and deter harmful pests. In fact, you can mix flowers with your vegetables!
  5. Good soil - soil with lots of organic matter is best. 
Feel free to share your organic gardening tip in the comment area.

    3 comments:

    1. I absolutely agree about the importance of mulching! My garden is really bigger than one person can handle, unless that person is able to work in the garden full time. I am lucky if I get one and a half hours a day in the garden. Mulching keeps the weeds at bay. It helps keep the soil moist during droughts (August). I couldn't keep the garden going without mulch.
      p.s. My tip is to pat the mulch down with your foot after you spread it. I find it illuminates the tiny holes that weeds use as an opening.

      ReplyDelete
    2. Great tip, Jennifer! What depth of layer of mulch do you use?

      ReplyDelete
    3. Just saw your post - I have two tips. Marigolds and newspaper. Marigolds smell kind of funny - to insects, also. Plant them around the perimeter of your garden to keep a lot of bugs away. You can pick the seeds from the spent flowers to plant the next year.
      Also, put down newspaper - 2-3 sheets thick - before adding a 1/2 inch of soil or mulch. It's economical, it'll break down and make your soil better, and it will keep weeds away.

      ReplyDelete

    Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.

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