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Simple Organic Gardening
Simple organic gardening is a way to save your back, save your soil and make your homestead gardening experience far more pleasant this year.
Here's the scoop on gardening without doing a lot of digging this year.
So Why Not Dig
After all, isn't that what gardening is all about?
Getting out your shovel or - for most people - your rototiller and digging up a big space in your backyard?
Yes, you can certainly go this route, but there are some problems.
Tears Up the Soil
Using a rototiller tears up your soil and robs it of the natural moisture and organisms that make for healthy soil.
With this simpler gardening method, you leave that moisture and organisms right where your plants will use and enjoy them the most.
Composting worms
are a great way to build up your soil.
Kills Earthworms
Think of earthworms as your new best friends.
They break up your soil, making it easier for rainwater to get to the roots of your plants.
Plus, as the worms eat through organic matter, they poop - leaving rich mineral deposits your plants will love.
This simpler gardening method actually encourages earthworms to live in your garden, making for far healthier soil.
Composting worms
are excellent at building compost as well.
Brutal, Hard Work
Whether you use a tiller or a shovel, it's tough, miserable work digging and building your beds.
Yes, I have done it - I actually spent almost two months building my large, raised beds - and while it is good exercise,
it can also be tough, miserable work.
And, let's face it. The less fun it is, the less likely you are to do it.
Make your life easier instead by trying this simple, environmentally friendly simple organic gardening method.
What You Will Need For the
Simple Organic Gardening Method
You will need:
- Heavy cardboard or newspapers
- Organic mulch, such as grass clippings, leaves or straw
Black plastic sheeting will speed the composting process.
Simple Organic Gardening Method
Getting Started
Either tramp down the weeds or trim them down to about an inch.
Then cover the area with either dampened newspapers or heavy cardboard from old boxes.
Next cover the cardboard or several layers of damp newspapers with at least six inches of mulch.
After that, cover your new beds with black plastic sheeting
and keep them covered for at least two to three months in the winter or a couple of weeks in the spring.
The black tarp will heat up your bed, and cause the weeds - and their seeds - to spring up.
The cardboard or damp newspapers will smother the plants, kill them, start them rotting and encourage earthworm activity.
Within a few weeks, you will have rich, loose soil perfect for your simple organic gardening.
If you're new to organic gardening, consider this resource.
Also read this excellent beginners guide to organic gardening.
Extra Gardening Tips
Comprehensive Course on Gardening! Increase the value of your home by 30%.
Learn more by clicking here.
A garden kneeler and seat
makes daily weeding chores much easier by easing the strain on your lower back and knees while protecting your clothing from stain and injuries.
To protect your back, use a lifting tool
for heavy pots and other objects.
Long-term exposure to the elements will damage your tools and shorten their use.
Store your tools and other gardening supplies in a portable storage bin .
To make yard and garden cleaning easier, use a Kangaroo Gardening Container .
Invest in a sharpening tool
to keep your shovel and other gardening tools sharp and easier to work with.
Grow a successful hydroponic gardening with this helpful resource.
Protect your hands from insects and other injuries by wearing good quality gardening gloves.
More Homestead Gardening Links
Thinking about gardening the organic way? Follow these simple steps first.
Want to save even more money when gardening? Purchase bulk seeds for cost savings and self reliant preparation.
Get an early start on your gardening by starting your seeds indoors. Here are some tips.
Ready to grow your own vegetables, but you're not sure where to begin?
Learn which vegetables are the easiest to grow by clicking here.
The most comprehensive gardening instruction available on the internet!
Learn more.
Are you thinking about putting in a garden?
Follow these tips.
For healthy strong plants, put in raised beds.
Or avoid the digging altogether and put in these easier raised beds.
For truly rich, healthy soil, learn how to make your own compost.
Protect your plants and keep down weeds by mulching. Here are some mulching tips.
Build up your soil, and you'll keep pests down to a minimum, but what happens if pests do attack your garden? Here are some pest control tips
100's Of Wonderfully Frugal, Eco-Friendly and Highly Resourceful Gardening Techniques.
click here to learn more.
Gotten into poison ivy lately. Learn how to treat that awful itch. Here's how.
Do you have limited space? Consider growing your organic garden in containers.
Ready to have your own container garden? Here are some tips on finding the right garden container
Gardening can be much more than a hobby; it can also be a way to raise most of your food. Here's how.
An good resource for raising your own food is this ebook.
If you want the richest humus for your gardening, consider composting with worms
Save Thousands of Dollars a Year With This Fully Illustrated Guide.
Click here to learn more.
Want to have fresh greens for your salad all winter? Then build this easy, effective cold frame.
Get your garden off to the right start with strong growth and an early harvest. Learn how you can germinate seeds.
So why should you pursue organic gardening? Learn the benefits by clicking here.
True self sufficiency means being able to produce your own excellent-quality seeds. Here's how.
To save seeds, you must start with quality plants. Learn why you should purchase the seeds of heirloom plants by clicking here.
Have you thought about organic gardening but don't know where to begin?
Try these tips.
Have a Bountiful Organic Garden using a tiny amount of space.
Learn more.
As homesteaders, we primarily think about gardening to raise food, but beauty is also important.
Learn the importance of cottage gardening.
When planning your garden, don't forget to grow herbs. Not only do they smell nice and add flavoring to food, many also have healing qualities.
Learn more.
Got a bumper crop of potatoes or other root vegetables this season?
Learn an economical way to store them to keep them fresh all winter by clicking here.
If you want to extend your growing season, a small greenhouse might be just the ticket.
Learn more.
If you are thinking about adding on a lean to greenhouse, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Read more.
The winter months are a perfect time for planning your spring garden.
Learn more.
Summer garden not all you hoped it to be? Consider putting in a fall garden, but be sure to protect your plants from frosty nights.
Learn how.
The ins and outs of storing produce from your garden can be found by clicking here.
If you had an abundant harvest of root vegetables this year, don't let them go to waste; store them using this time-proven method instead.
Read more.
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