Have you been thinking about growing a garden in your own yard? Have you heard about organic gardening, and wondered if it is right for you? Are you wondering how your choices will impact your life, your land and the local environment? If so, you are in luck. There are many benefits to having a home garden. Designing a garden organically will make the most of your garden for yourself and your surroundings.
You may wonder whether or not your gardening choices have much influence in the health of your neighborhood. The fact is, it does. Every home in an area that chooses to make positive environmental choices improves the value of the property and surrounding region. This has short and long term implications.
Once you have decided to grow a garden, you may wonder how large to make it. There are several factors to consider, including the amount of time you have available and how many helping hands you may have. Also, consider the amount of available space, sunlight and water you can devote to your garden.
When making these determinations, learn how much water various crops take. You need to factor in natural rainfall and other availability of water. The cost of water in the city may also influence your choice. If you have natural marshy areas on your land, utilize them for crops requiring high moisture.
Are you already comfortable consuming organic produce? If so, you may find that creating compost from your green waste is beneficial to your home. Scraps from non-acidic fruits and vegetables can become excellent compost materials.
The two most common methods for home composting are tumbling barrels and worms. Assess your landscape and which would suit your needs. Both require regular tending. Worms are preferable for a smaller scale garden. Barrels are effective only when the internal temperature maintains decomposition.
If you are interested in environmentally sound practices, you may also consider methods to minimize water usage in your gardening. Some ingenious gardeners have made use of hydroponics when necessary. The water is recycled, and therefore used most effectively. If your garden is outdoors, you may consider using containers if your climate is particularly dry. Other solutions include applying mulch to enhance water retention. You may also look at your natural landscape. Placing plants lower in elevation that require more water is a good choice.
In creating a green garden, pest control is another important consideration. One approach is to plant vegetation undesirable to your local pests. Garlic is generally a good deterrent, as are most other spicy or hot smelling plants.
A popular method of dealing with slugs and snails is to create a covered area baited with salt or beer. Either will eliminate the problem.
When planning a home garden, considering the impact on the environment now and in the future is an important factor. Use the suggestions you have just read to help create a garden that feeds you today and is gentle to the planet. You and your descendants deserve it!