Organic Gardening and Its Benefits

If your garden is teeming with earthworms, and insects, it`s very likely that whether you realize it or not, you are already applying the principles of organic gardening.

What is it about organic gardening that is so appealing? Basically it comes down to the fact that garden soil is being improved by the use of natural biological substances. An ecosystem is encouraged in which plants no longer need chemicals to help protect them, such as insecticides, herbicides and fungicides.

Why are many gardeners turning to organic gardening? Because of the potential dangers involved in the overuse of pesticides.

Farmers in Washington and along the entire West Coast face extensive new restrictions on three popular pesticides in the name of protecting salmon.

The pesticides are common in the state's apple and cherry orchards, potato fields and berry farms. Restrictions could cover big swaths of Washington farmland where streams carry a variety of federally protected salmon and steelhead, according to the National Marine Fisheries Service.

                                                        

                                                    Organic Gardening Books

Many see organic gardening as a way of protecting the environment. As pests become immune to repeated applications of chemical pesticides, so scientists have developed poisons that are even more dangerous. These potent chemicals have then leached into the groundwater and have contaminated our water supply.

How much of your garbage which is thrown out is made up of food scraps? By the use of composting these waste foods they can eventually be used on the garden, which benefits the environment, and of course the garden.

Ideally your soil should be as balanced as possible. This means that the roots of plants are able to thrive by being moist, to prevent drying out, yet not being so moist they get diseased, or rot.

Problems often happen when the soil is clay-type, or is sandy. If your soil is clay then its consistency makes it difficult for water to penetrate, so it is too dry inside. Or, if water does penetrate, then the soil can become soaked with like a trap, so the roots can`t breathe, and die. If your soil is sandy, then the water will drain away too quickly, and the roots wont benefit from the water, nor the nutrients.

The gardener needs to have soil which will hold on to enough moisture to prevent the roots from drying out, yet at the same time allowing the drainage of excess water. If that balance is reached, air circulates freely, allowing microorganisms to go about their work of adding nutrients to the soil.

                                                      

As mentioned above, organic matter compost, if added to the soil, will help give the right balance to clay or sandy soils. Compost bacteria will continue to break down decaying matter, turning the matter into nutrients that plants need for strong growth. The acid/alkaline balance is also maintained when compost is used, again something gardeners care about.

Finally, before turning to pesticides to get rid of those unwanted pests, consider encouraging natural predators in to your garden to help out.

Toads, birds, and `good` bugs can all have a part to play in eating up the unwanted visitors. Make their habitat just right for them and they`ll prove an invaluable ally in helping to keep your plants looking healthy.




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