By Jenny Harrison
Special Contributor

Not looking forward to watering a lawn this spring and summer? Have you thought about replacing the grass with a vegetable garden? Growing your own fruits and vegetables in an organic garden has more benefits than we can list. Knowing that your food has no chemicals gives one peace of mind and keep them and their family healthy. 

Starting Up An Organic Garden

When you’re gardening without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, that’s called organic gardening. It doesn’t only require replacing manmade chemical foods with natural food – it is an entire system.

Jump for some interesting ideas for an organic garden to help you grow fresh, delicious, and chemical-free food. 

Traditional In-Ground Organic Vegetable Garden

For a traditional organic garden, start with layering the garden from north to south in a place which is sunny and has a good drainage system. Plant taller grown vegetables like green beans and corn on the North end of the garden to avoid shadowing the shorter plants.

Raised Bed Garden

For this garden, you need to layout the soil in a sunny location from north to south. You have to build a container made of wood, bricks or decorative stones.

Organic Vegetable Seeds and Plants

For an organic garden, you need to have seeds of organic vegetables and plants. Deciding where to start and what seeds and plants to choose can be a bit confusing at times though. The USDA offers a plant hardiness guide on what regions are suitable to start seeds indoors and out. 

Organic Compost Helps Condition and Fertilize Your Garden

It is a great idea to add organic compost in your garden, make your own compost, and allow it to condition your soil and enrich your plants. Compost speeds up decomposition and recycles nutrients, and fertilizes plants.

Add a Layer of Mulch to Help Retain Water & Prevent Weeds

Mulching is a natural and easy gardening approach used for protecting an organic garden from weeds, pests, drying out, extreme weather and destruction.

Mulching Techniques for Your Garden:

• Before you start mulching, it is essential to weed and water your organic garden. Apply a fertilizer before you mulch, otherwise your organic material will break down under a coating of mulch.
• Never mulch heavily as this stops the air circulation and blocks the sun and rain.
• Apply smaller grade mulches like sawdust or wood chips, which are approximately three inches thick.
• For spreading, use lighter mulches like straw, hay, leaves.

An organic garden in your house is a great source of providing your family with healthy food and giving them a fun way to bond.