Organic Gardening Tips, Ideas, and Advice

Organic gardening is an emotional subject. Some people think that it is the sole remaining way to save the planet; others that organic gardening is the refuge of bearded loonies in kaftans and sandals who live in grubby communes on brown rice and sunflower seeds. In fact, it is neither. Millions of gardeners the world over are beginning to consider organic gardening methods and evaluate them rationally. Even long-skeptical scientists are having second thoughts as the public demands more chemical-free food and a safer environment.

The Organic Way

There is nothing mystical or magical about organic gardening. It is simply a way of working with nature rather than against it, of recycling natural materials to maintain soil fertility, and of encouraging natural methods of pest and disease control rather than relying on chemicals to do the job.

These basic cultivation principles closely follow those found in nature, the complex workings of which have sustained life successfully over millions of years. These principles will not have a detrimental effect on yield or quality, but are much more likely to increase both, at the same time providing an alternative habitat for wildlife, and producing fruit and vegetables that are safe, flavorful, and chemical-free.

The Chemical Gardener

The chemical gardener uses soil simply to anchor plant roots, and to hold artificial fertilizers to provide plant nutrients, an approach with excellent short-term results, but disastrous long-term consequences. Because organic matter is not replaced, the soil organisms die; without them, soil structure breaks down and the soil becomes hard, airless, and unproductive. “Force-feeding” plants results in soft, sappy growth, prone to attack by pests and diseases. Chemical pesticides often have short-term success, but, in killing the pest, also kill its natural predators: the problem worsens, and ever stronger and more poisonous pesticides then have to be used.

The Organic Gardener

The organic gardener has a more constructive approach, aware of the fine balance in nature that allows all species to co-exist. Growing a wide diversity of plants attracts a miniature ecosystem of pests and predators so no single species can build up to an unacceptable level.

The soil teems with millions of micro-organisms, which release from organic matter the nutrients required for healthy plant growth. So, instead of feeding the plants, the soil is fed with natural materials; the plants draw on that reservoir of nutrients as and when required, becoming stronger and more resilient.

The Natural Cycle

Every element of nature — animals, insects, plants, and soil — all work together to create a natural cycle of events in the garden and each element depends on the others.

• Worms: These help aerate the soil, and pull plant remains into the upper layers. They also leave “worm castings”, a valuable fertilizer.
• Organic matter: Decaying leaves, fruit, and other vegetable matter, add nutrients to the soil.
• Plant roots: These take up the nutrients in the soil.
• Animals: Live animals feed on the plants; dead animals decompose as humus, adding organic matter to the soil.
• Aeration and drainage: Burrowing animals and insects break up the soil.
• Bacteria: Helps decay of plants and animals. Also helps bind nitrogen.
• Fungi and algae: Help release nutrients from soil so that plants can use them.

Improving on Nature

However, the natural methods of sustaining plant growth described above were never intended to support the kinds of demands we now make on our gardens. The technique itself is perfect, but has to be intensified by feeding soil with added compost and manure, improving its texture by digging to allow air and water to enter, protecting germinating seeds by giving them optimum conditions and spacings, giving plants adequate water in very dry weather, and controlling pests and diseases.