Keeping Your Garden Organic

There is a lot of emphasis on the health benefits of vegetables, herbs and fruits . Farmers are turning away from pesticides and hormone enhanced food, to produce products that are healthy and more natural for a growing demand of pure produce. The only catch with this new trend is that it is expensive.

For families and individuals that would prefer a healthier eating plan but can’t afford the added expense, there is another option: create your own organic garden. Before you start mumbling about time, further expenses and lack of space, there are options to help you avoid that.

Gardens can be created out of containers, such as tubs, boxes and baskets. Using containers is a great way to utilise a small garden space, or create a garden on a balcony. Maintaining the containers is easier than if the plants where in the garden. If you have a small space, then containers are a great option.

You could use a rectangular container for your kitchen windowsill, where you can plant your herbs. That way, when you are cooking, you can simply reach over and pinch off herbs, as you need them. The great thing about herbs and some vegetables is the more you use them, the better they grow.

Some herbs to start off with, which are hardy and easy to grow, are Oregano, Basil, and Thyme. Most herbs only grow during season and then die off. Try and plant a mix of winter and summer herbs to ensure that you have herbs all year round to use. Keep in mind that some herbs, such as Rosemary and Lavender, grow into large bushes and might need a big pot rather than a windowsill container.

If you are concerned with the extra cost of a garden, then do research in creating your own homemade fertiliser and insect repellent. There is no point in growing your own produce only to smother it in chemicals. There are a variety of ways to create your own sprays for insects and make your own fertiliser from items that you already have.

To make an organic fertiliser, soak eggshells in water over night. Eggshells are filled with nutrients that will release into the water. The next day, pour the solution over your plants as a natural fertiliser.

To repel insects and snails in one organic spray, get a bulb of garlic and a spray bottle. Blend about two cups of water with the bulb of garlic. Let the solution rest for a day. The blended garlic will release its naturally insect repellent quantities into the water. After a day, strain the water to remove the garlic bits. Pour the solution into a litre of water and shake. Spray the solution on leaves of your garden. And you thought that garlic was only good for bad breath.

If you are nervous about starting your own garden, there are some vegetables that are perfect for beginners. Tomatoes are hardy growers, and don’t require a lot of attention. They can be planted in containers and need about half a day’s worth of sun. Unless it’s been a particularly scotching day, tomatoes generally require watering once a week.

Run with a salad theme and grow lettuce as well. Lettuce is also easy to grow, but requires more water than the tomatoes. When picking which lettuce to grow, choose a variety pack for a selection of different types. Green peppers are also a great option as they can be grown in containers next to the tomatoes.

Try a couple of types of vegetables first until you are comfortable. Once you think you have the hang of it, invest in some more of your favourite types. Choose vegetables that you use often to get the maximum potential from your garden. Even if you don’t grow enough for your daily consumption, at least you know where your vegetables came from and how they were grown.

Celeste does writing for Garden and Home News, which is a portal site for all garden and home information.