Organic Gardening In The Backyard - Fun, Healthy, And Easier
By C.J. Gustafson, Fri Dec 9th
Organic gardening, which is sometimes thought of as somethingout of the 60s hippie culture, has been steadily growing inpopularity over the years. Not only can you find entire aislesof organics at the local supermarket, the number of specialtystores dedicated to organically grown foods has increaseddramatically. Part of this popularity is due to an increasingunderstanding of the dangers associated with syntheticpesticides and fertilizers. Growing organically generally meansgardening without these potentially dangerous chemicals. Manybackyard gardeners are turning to organic methods as theyrealize how easy and effective organic growing can be.
Part of the reason chemical pesticides and fertilizers are sowidely used is because they work well. In deciding to useorganic methods in your backyard garden, you first will need toaccept the fact that you will likely have more pest damage andlower yields than if you were employing chemicals. Many peopleare willing to make this trade off in return for the opportunityto harvest chemical-free foods for themselves and their families.
There are several different approaches and techniques used inorganic gardening. You may find that you are using some of themalready. If you have selected cultivars that are resistant topests or drought, you are involved in one form of organicgardening. If you put out a scarecrow or bars of hand soap tokeep animals away, this too is organic gardening. Compost is anorganic fertilizer. Organic techniques are around in manygardens already. By utilizing them more and moving away fromchemicals, you can improve the environment and lead a healthierlifestyle.
There are different levels of organic gardening and differentreasons why people choose organic methods. Some do it becausethey do not want to harm any animals, even aphids or cutworms.So they try to develop a system where they can cohabitatepeacefully, keeping insects and other animals out when possibleand removing them or learning to live with them when otheroptions don’t work.
Some people are not opposed to pest control and exterminationbut they don’t want to add any more chemicals to the environmentor to the food that they eat. Others go organic as a means ofgetting back to a more historic, natural, and even challengingway of gardening. You will need to decide which methods matchyour personal philosophies and reasons for going organic.
Pest control and fertilization are two of the key areas to focuson with organic gardening. In addition to using native,resistant plants, mulching, and practicing crop rotation, theuse of other natural methods of pest control and of compost andmanure as fertilizer can go a long way toward creating a moreorganic garden.
Pest Control
There are many ways that backyard gardeners can control insectsand other pests without the use of synthetic chemicals.
- Use mesh row covers to keep insects off of plants. They needto be removed from squashes, melons, cucumbers, peppers andother plants that require or benefit from pollinations duringflowering. - Collars placed around young plants will helpprevent damage by cutworms. - Allow natural predators such asladybugs and wasps to assist you in your efforts by plantingvegetation that will attract them to your garden and avoidingpesticides that harm them as well. - Screens, cold frames andfences can help keep some insects and animals such as rabbitsout of the garden. - Aphids can be removed from plants with astrong stream of water. Hand removing insects such as potatobeetles can be effective in small gardens. - Weed your gardenand turn the soil regularly to help reduce the growth of insectsthat like to nest in certain plant debris. - Learn to identifythe egg clusters of harmful insects and
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