Organic gardening? You might think gardening is already organic until it’s not. If you put chemicals in your soil and plants, then no, you’re not doing organic gardening, and you can always make the switch. There’s something so beautiful about growing something “organically.” So, to help your gardening journey run smoothly, here are some things you need to avoid doing:
Spraying Chemicals
You can’t say it’s organic until you stop using chemicals to grow your garden. Therefore, spraying synthetic chemicals and herbicides is a no-no. When you spray your garden with these chemicals, you contaminate your produce. The same applies to pesticides for pest and insect control. Even if you mean well, spraying these on your plants will still introduce chemicals. Even if you think spraying these chemicals is helpful, it’s not worth it and it’s harmful. What you should do instead is to check organic alternatives to address garden issues.
Using Synthetic Fertilizer
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Synthetic chemical fertilizers are made of synthesized forms of common minerals that are necessary for healthy plant growth. You won’t have a hard time finding this type of fertilizer because they’re widely available and easy to spot because they’re generally labeled with an N-P-K (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium) ratio on the package.
The thing is, it’s synthetic, which isn’t something you should use if you want to nurture an organic garden. Remember, if fertilizer is made of blue crystals, it’s not natural.
Even if synthesized fertilizers generally provide minerals quickly compared to organic ones, it can burn the plants and harm soil organisms. Moreover, excess minerals can wash out the soil and contaminate groundwater, which can affect natural ecosystems.
Fortunately, there are organic fertilizers you can get today, which is safe for organic gardening.
Choosing the Wrong Potting Soil
Did you know that some potting soil comes with chemical fertilizer? A lot of people don’t know this, which is why you should be mindful when buying potting soil. Choose OMRI-listed bags of potting soil and check the label to ensure it hasn’t been “enriched” with any additives. If you notice a potting soil with a shady chemically sounding name, it’s worth double-checking and ensuring that it doesn’t contain harmful chemicals.
Normally, potting soil has coconut coir, a pH-balancing agent, and an air-trapping medium. It will also have compost, worm castings, or composted manure.
Using the Wrong Manure
You might be thinking it’s best to use manure as it’s the easiest way to avoid man-made chemicals. While some composted manure is safe, some aren’t. These are the ones that come from meat-eating animals or are composted. So, be very careful when buying manure to use for your garden.
Conclusion
Today, it’s possible to create your own organic garden at home. You only need the right products and know the common mistakes to avoid to make your gardening success. When it comes to gardening, organic is the way to go because of the guarantee you’re eating healthy foods that are free from chemicals. At the same time, you get to save the environment as well.
Start your organic garden today with the use of quality organic products from Organic AG Products! We have a suite of herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, and more to cover all your gardening needs.