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Organic Gardening In Central Virginia
by Judy Thomas
Ornamental Cabbage
Organic Gardening In Central VirginiaI have been gardening for decades and in Virginia for over 10 years. Be sure to visit my garden blog called Central Virginia Organic Gardener where I write about vegetable, fruit and flower gardening, not just limited to the central region, and answer general questions posted to the blog. I believe in organic methods in the garden and landscape...and in organic foods for my family! How Does Your Organic Garden Grow?
Do you find your organic garden growing properly? Would you like to learn how to help it grow better? If you are ready, then you have come to the right place. The tips that are listed here, contain advice on what you can do to make your organic garden grow healthier plants. Don't forget the Garden Basics class held every spring by the Prince William Master Gardener volunteers. Visit our Gardening page for full details. VegetablesFor organic fertilizer to use around the plants in your garden and flower beds, start a compost bin made from all-organic material that would otherwise be wasted. Throw in yard clippings, leaves, vegetable peelings, eggshells and coffee grounds, turning the contents of the bin often. You may have to protect your compost bin from woodland creatures. In just a short time, you will have the best material to mix in with your soil (which may be quite poor - ours was mostly clay) that will provide nutrients and nourishment to your plants without added chemicals. Plant your own seeds to guarantee organic produce. Sowing your own vegetable seeds gives you the comfort and assurance that your produce has been grown organically from seed to table. Select plants that are easy to germinate such as broccoli, cabbage, basil and tomatoes. We had a summer long tomato and green pepper fest, all grown on our deck! Find out the best time of the year to sprout your chosen vegetable plants. Encourage bees, wasps, ladybirds and other beneficial insects. These insects are vital in an organic garden. Don't forget that bees are nature's most efficient pollinator, and wasps and ladybirds prey on destructive insects in the garden such as aphids and mites. Ladybirds are particularly effective at ridding your plants of aphids. To attract these beneficial insects, plant companion herbs and flowers around the edge of your vegetable garden. FruitsInstead of an abrasive and caustic chemical fertilizer, opt for an organic compost that breaks down substances like fallen leaves, grass clippings, loose hay, small twigs, and scraps of uneaten vegetables and fruits from your home dinner table. Allowing these elements to mingle in a compost heap will break down these individual ingredients into a nourishing organic substance with an even consistency. Eliminate mites from your garden. Mites affect fruits, vegetables and herbs by sucking the chlorophyll out of plants and injecting toxins. They are most prolific in hot, dry areas. Because mites are very difficult to see, you will first notice damage to the plant in the form of yellowed, dry leaves and poorly developed fruit. Get rid of them by spraying your plants with a forceful jet of water early in the morning, 3 days in a row, or spraying with insecticidal soap every 5 to 7 days. Choose the fruit and vegetable types that are suitable for your area. When growing fruits and vegetables, try to grow something that is native to your area. This way, you won't have to add any kind of chemical fertilizer to aid growth. Native plants will provide you with the best crop possible, as they are used to the soil, temperature and light conditions. FlowersMake your landscape seem larger by using colors. Try yellow, orange, and red colored plants and flowers. This will play a trick on the eye, and make the objects appear closer to you. For maximum effect, place the warm colored plants in front of cooler colored plants in your garden. Be sure to research what kind of plants you have in your organic garden and what types of plants you plan on adding. There are some types of flowers such as poinsettias, sweet peas, amaryllises, irises, and oleanders that are incredibly poisonous to pets. Use caution when planting something in your garden. While most novice gardeners mistakenly believe that any insect is a harmful insect, at least 98 percent of common insects found in the garden are perfectly acceptable, if not beneficial for most flowers, vegetables, and grasses. Beetles, spiders, praying mantises, ladybugs, and green lacewings should be welcomed in any garden as they devour the insects that harm your plants. Ward off infestation of annoying garden pests like aphids by lightly spraying the stems, leaves, and buds of your flowers with a heavily diluted mixture of warm, soapy water and a few drops of liquid dish washing soap. Next, follow-up by rinsing with a generous spray of water. This is effective for even the most serious aphid problem. Hopefully, that wasn't that hard to read through. After reading this, you ought to start experimenting and trying new techniques. Hopefully, these new techniques yield results that work for you. If not, try something else until you are pleased with the results. That's the best part about organic gardening; it can be done several ways.
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