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You're only a few simple steps away from growing your own organic veggies and herbs!
Intrigued by all the benefits of growing a backyard organic garden and looking for a little guidance on starting your own? It's easier than you might guess! Just think of organic gardening in two equally important parts: grow and protect.
Overall, the goal is to create a sustainable, earth-friendly ecosystem that plays host to rich soil, a diverse mix of plants, and loads of both pollinators and "good" predators. Follow these steps for planting success:
1) Choose a site with good light. To grow to its full potential (literally!), your backyard organic vegetable garden needs at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight each day. Short on space? No big deal. Simply find a sunny spot for a container or two on your doorstep or deck.
2) Use stellar soil. It saves a lot of headaches and backaches to garden in soil that's right for what and where you're planting. For just the right balance of texture and nutrients, use premium-quality:
3) Plant wisely. Set your garden well along the way to maturity by starting with strong, vibrant young plants from Bonnie Plants® Organics. Or, if you'd rather sprout your own seeds, be sure to look for packets labeled USDA Organic. Either way, choose plants that grow well together, including a mix of hybrid and heirloom varieties that have some inherent disease-resistant characteristics (check the labels). Also, if you've grown a garden before, switch up where you plant different plant types (a practice called crop rotation) to help thwart pests and diseases.
4) Water well. Since moisture is essential for good growth, be sure to plan for watering from the very start, since most organic gardens require at least an inch of water per week (and even more when it's hot outside). Easy access to spigots and rain barrels is key to avoid lugging heavy watering cans and dragging hoses around. Be sure to water right after you plant, too!
5) Serve nutritious "meals." Plants constantly pull nutrients from the soil, so it's your job to replenish them throughout the growing season so your organic garden doesn't go hungry and start to produce less than its best. To that end, a month after planting, start giving your garden regular helpings of Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® Edibles Plant Nutrition (check the label to find out how much and how often to feed). Enhanced with micronutrients, it instantly feeds the soil so your plants will have a steady stream of nutrition for their best growth.
Once you've planted the backyard organic garden of your dreams, you won't be the only one who wants to visit it. Pests, diseases, weeds, and even harsh weather are sure to visit and can wreak havoc if you're not prepared. Try these tips:
Now you're set! When your friends beg for your brilliant tips on how to grow gorgeous organic vegetables, you can share these simple secrets—and a slice of that homegrown tomato.