Organic gardening is gardening without the use of unnatural pesticides or manmade fertilizers.

As such, special attention needs to be given for controlling insects, weeds and disease.

Organic gardening requires more time and attention to the health of the plants and condition of the soil.

Below are some tips for successful organic gardening.

The Soil:

The soil needs frequent attention in order to keep it productive.

This can be done by adding organic matter or compost to introduce essential minerials to the soil for healthy plants.

Plants grown organically need this special attention for producing a healthy organic garden.

Compost or organic matter can be from various materials such as vegetable scraps, leaves, manure, dead flowers, grass clippings, fruit rinds etc.

Introducing earthworms will aerate the soil, introduce oxygen and give it a nice dark color.

Natural additives may have to be introduced to add nutrients and give the soil a proper pH balance.

Some of these are rock phosphates, greensand, lime or bonemeal.

A soil test should be done prior to planting for a more successful harvest.

Insects:

The bane of organic gardeners and regular gardeners alike.

A few preventative measures will make your organic garden experance a pleasent one.

Some things to think about are:

* Watering:

Having plants that are too dry or wet will make them unhealthy and acceptable to insect damage.

Heathy plants can usually withstand minor damage from insects.

* Plant an assortment of plants:

A good diversity of plants will strengthen your organic garden against insect attacks.

Some types of plants will even repel insects and should be mixed in with other plants.

* Insect Predators:

Introduce or make your organic garden attractive to insect predators.

Insect predators will defend your organic garden from damage and will be welcome guests.

Insect predators can be birds, lizards, frogs,ladybugs and others.

* Household Items:

Normal household items such as garlic, insecticidal soaps and hot pepper can be used for insect prevention.

* Disease Prevention:

Prevent over or under watering of plants.

Buy disease resistant plants.

Plan for good air circulation to prevent diseases.

* Weeds:

Use organic mulch with a layer of layer of cardboard or newspaper under it for better protection.

The use of corn meal has shown to curtail the growth of weeds, if used after planting.

Using the ole hand and hoe method is a nonbeatable combination.

Constant attention will win the battle of the weeds.

Conclusion:

Organic gardening is a great way to grow plants that are free of pesticides and produce plants that are healthy and nutritious.

Organic gardenings benefits outweigh the extra time and attention normal gardens provide.