The Beginners Guide to Growing Your Own Organic Vegetables

Soil

• Soil is the basis of a healthy organic garden. Soil is not simply dirt. It contains living organisms---many of them microorganisms---nonliving organic material, minerals, water and air pockets, all of which sustain the lives of your plants. Soil microorganisms work constantly at breaking down organic material, releasing nutrients that feed your plants and producing organic matter that helps the soil to maintain a loose structure, hold onto adequate water and retain nutrients. Organic gardening uses practices that build and sustain the soil ecosystem. Compost, cover crops, manure and mulches all help build soil organic matter.

Fertilizer

• Traditional soil fertility management involves simply adding inorganic nutrients in the amounts needed by plants. Synthetic fertilizers add nutrients without building soil organic matter, resulting in a soil that cannot sustain beneficial soil organisms that improve the health of your garden.

  Many popular vegetable plants, like tomatoes and corn, need high levels of soil nutrients in order to grow and produce well. Organic fertilizers include materials obtained from plant, animal and mineral sources. The three-number combination on the packaging indicates the percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium---in that order---in the fertilizer.

  Before choosing a fertilizer, collect a soil sample from your vegetable garden and have it tested by your local extension office or a soil testing lab. Basic soil tests will determine the amount of each nutrient you must add to your soil and will include fertilizer recommendations to attain nutrient levels required.

Plants and Seeds

• In addition to using organic growing methods, for organic vegetables that measure up to the certified organic produce for sale at the farmer's market or grocery store you should use only certified organic seeds or transplants.

Pest Control

• Organic pest control strategies keep pests in check through prevention, monitoring and the use of natural methods to deter and kill pests. Begin by selecting vegetable plants resistant to the common diseases and pests in your area. Cultural practices such as weed removal and watering strategies that keep foliage from becoming damp also prevent pest problems.

  Planting a variety of vegetables and herbs in your garden attracts beneficial insects. such as wasps and ladybugs, which collect pollen and nectar from the plants. These helpful insects attack common vegetable pests.

  If a pest takes hold in your garden and threatens your plants or yield, you may need to resort to a more hands-on approach. You may handpick large pests, like tomato hornworms or squash bugs, from your plants. Pesticides aren't off-limits, but organic pesticides won't work on all pests. Insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils and minerals like sulfur and copper can bring insects and disease problems under control.