WHAT IS ORGANIC GARDENING?
Many people wonder what organic gardening is. The answer is that organic gardeners do not use chemical based/synthetic fertilizers or pesticides on their plants. Gardening organically is much more than what you don’t do. When you garden organically, you think of your plants as part of a whole system within the environment that starts in the soil and includes the water supply, people, wildlife and even insects. An organic gardener strives to work with natural systems and to minimize and continually replenish any resources the garden consumes. Organic gardening, then, begins with attention to the soil. You will regularly add organic matter to the soil, using locally available resources wherever possible. Everyone has access to the raw materials of organic matter, because your garden, lawn and kitchen produce them daily. Decaying plant wastes, such as grass clippings, leaves and vegetable scraps from your kitchen, are the building blocks of compost, the ideal organic matter for your garden soil. If you add compost to your soil, you’re already well on your way to raising a beautiful, healthy garden organically.
The other key to growing organically is to choose plants suited to the site. Plants adapted to your climate and conditions are better able to grow without a lot of attention or input; on the other hand, when you try to grow a plant that is not right for your site, you will probably have to boost its natural defenses to keep it healthy and productive.