The basic premise of organic gardening is to minimise the use of manufactured chemicals by working working within the natural systems and cycles of our gardens. Although it may seem counterintuitive to describe your garden as ‘inorganic’, gardeners often use chemical fertilisers and treatments which can affect water, reduce soil fertility and lead to toxic deposits.
At Bury Hill, we understand the value organic gardening can bring to your garden, so we have combined a list of our top 5 organic gardening tips to help you make the most from your garden.
1.Prepare your soil:
Organic gardening means treating the soil with the same care you would plants and flowers. Start be ensuring the soil is properly conditioned using a trusted soil conditioner – this will create the perfect environment to facilitate plant growth.
Soil compost is a mandatory addition to all gardens as it adds nutrients to your soil, grows plants with fewer pest problems and reduces your carbon footprint. We advise making your own organic soil compost by following our guide.
2. Water plants effectively:
It is necessary to ensure your plants always have enough water to retain moisture, and facilitate plant growth.
We recommend watering plants and flowers early in the morning as there is no breeze and its still cool outside. This will allow the water to travel down to the roots of the plant without too much water being lost to evaporation.
3. Alternative ways to protect your plants:
Pest control is an important factor to consider when maintaining your flowers and vegetable garden. Traditional pesticides, however, often cause damage to the environment and can affect soil health. Organic homemade pesticides are a safer option for keeping pests at bay.
You can make your own using foods found in your cupboard:
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Coffee wards off slugs
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Eggshells prevent slugs, snails and caterpillars
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Garlic, tomato, rhubarb: The smell of these foods deters a lot of insects
4. Control weeds:
Weeds compete with your plants and flowers for nutrients, water and light. To prevent them from taking over your garden completely, there are some necessary steps to follow:
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First, pour boiling water on weeds to soften and kill the root
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Use sharp tools, such as weeding knives and trimmers, to remove weeds
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Always remove the roots from the base to prevent future growth
5. Crop rotation:
Crop rotation is a key factor for maintaining soil fertility, reducing the build up of pests and controlling weeds. By implementing a crop rotation system, you ensure optimal soil conditions for your plants.
Follow our easy 3-step guide to crop rotation:
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Divide your plot into legumes, root, leaf and fruit
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Rotate each section once a year
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Make note of the layout of your plant bed each year and take photos to track growth progress
By following these organic gardening tips, you will get maximum benefit from your garden with minimum impact on the environment.