Starting your own organic garden is simpler than you might expect. Organic gardening is no more expensive nor labor-intensive than other gardening methods, and it’s a great way to live sustainably.
So, how do you get started with organic gardening?
Mulch
Mulch is the foundation of any successful organic garden. A layer of natural mulch provides many benefits, including maintaining soil moisture and preventing weeds. The organic matter in mulch also gradually breaks down to improve soil fertility, creating a sustainable loop of benefit for your plants.
Compost & other natural fertilizers
If you have a compost pile or compost bin, you have a free and readily available source of natural fertilizer for your organic garden. Not only will compost improve the soil structure in your garden, it provides essential nutrients your plants need to thrive.
Other natural fertilizers like compost tea and worm casings are just as effective as synthetic fertilizers and perfect for organic gardening. Compost tea is made from soaking fresh compost to create a potent liquid fertilizer. Worm casings are earthworm droppings, which provide important nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus to your garden soil.
Organic pest control
Pests can pose a problem for any type of garden, but to keep your garden organic, it’s crucial to use natural pest control methods instead of synthetic pesticides. Many chemical pesticides kill beneficial insects and other helpful critters in addition to the pests, which only hurts your organic garden over time.
Instead, try natural methods of pest control, like adding plants with natural pest repelling properties. There are organic powders and sprays available to help as well, but the best defense against pests is keeping your soil healthy with mulch, composting and plenty of sun.
There are many aspects to creating and maintaining a successful organic garden. Remembering these important tips will help you whether you’re growing flowers, herbs or organic vegetables.
About the Author
Kimberly Hering
Kimberly Hering's devotion to helping people achieve their real estate goals stems from her genuine enjoyment of the process. Whatever the task, Kimberly makes it her mission to get it done, however she can, without compromising her client's needs. Often, that means thinking outside the box. After working with Kimberly, clients describe her as being Trustworthy, Creative, Patient, Highly Skilled, Attentive to the Process and having a lot of Integrity.
After spending more than 15 successful years working on Wall Street, Kimberly transitioned into Real Estate, joining Alain Pinel Realtors, then moving to Zephyr, now Corcoran Global Living, in 2018. During her career on Wall Street, Kimberly was a Vice President working as an Institutional Equity Salesperson for Montgomery Securities for 10 years. She covered the top money managers throughout the US and Canada. She joined Jefferies & Co as a Senior Vice President managing the Western Region Institutional Sales group, while continuing to cover the top money managers.
Kimberly leverages her extensive experience selling equities to top money managers throughout the US and Canada, to successfully negotiating any Real Estate transaction seamlessly for her clients. Kimberly is well versed in Marin's neighborhoods, towns, cities, and education system.
Living in the Bay Area for 35 years, 25 years in Marin and having 2 sons in local Marin schools, Kimberly spends a lot of time volunteering in the community and serving on various local Boards. Kimberly has a collection of resources ranging from the best local breakfast spots to vetted contractors. With her reliable list of valuable resources, Real Estate experience and unsurpassed knowledge of Marin's many communities, Kimberly can guide her clients through every aspect of a Real Estate transaction seamlessly.
Relocating to Marin, downsizing, upsizing, first time home buying, final home purchase or sale, or a lot to build a dream home, no matter the undertaking, Kimberly works seamlessly until the job at hand is completed with 100% satisfaction.