Growing Food (continued - p2 of 3)

Organic Gardening Tips

Rotating crops so the same plants are not grown in the same place for more than two years (i.e., crop rotation) helps prevent the exhaustion of nutrients especially favored by each crop.

Companion planting is a natural method of pest prevention whereby plants which benefit one another are grown together for such purposes as hiding one plant with another, masking aromas, repelling or trapping pests, attracting insects or birds for pollination or as predators of pests, etc.

Compost is made from decomposing plant matter that is especially rich in such nutrients as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. All decomposing plant materials, including that from paper and cardboard are good sources of carbon and nitrogen. Good phosphorus sources include potash, horse or cow manure. Soybeans and other high protein foods are a good source of nitrogen and phosphorus, while potash and potatoes are a rich source of potassium. To help prevent mold growth in compost as it dries, equal parts soil, wet and dry ingredients may be combined; worms may also be added to help aerate the soil.

Mulch is composed of the same ingredients as compost, but rather than adding it prior to planting and placing it in a pile or container as with composting, mulch is spread out over the garden or yard and it is usually only added during the growing season to prevent malnutrition or PH imbalances.

Organic gardeners often use herbal pest repellents and other natural pest control methods such as wire mesh screen (lining garden beds or wrapped loosely around tree trunks in orchards as a physical barrier between plants and pests), beneficial microbes in the soil and compost, and netting to prevent birds or other pesky thieves from stealing potential produce from orchards.

Outdoor and Indoor Gardening