GETTING GREEN & ORGANIC IN YOUR OWN GARDEN

Growing your own food can be rewarding. But did you also know it can be done organically and more economically? Check out these tips for greening up your home garden.

Do you have a home garden? Are you thinking of starting one? Are you concerned about pesticides and expenses associated with growing your own food? Check out these tips for making a home garden healthier, greener, and more economical:

1. Start collecting rain water. You don’t need to run your sprinklers or hoses full-time to get the hydration fruits and vegetables need to flourish in your backyard. Purchasing and installing a simple rain barrel can help you store hundreds of gallons of free water throughout the year. Make the most of that rain water with drip hoses to supply your plants with the water they require.

2. Begin with seeds. If you want to go organic with your home garden, don’t buy young plants… plant your own seeds. Starter containers, soil, and fertilizer are the basics you’ll need to bring up your starter plants. Tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers are a great bet for your first attempts as they tend to take to home growing fairly well. Check out this Community Garden Guide from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for detailed information: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_PLANTMATERIALS/publications/mipmcar9781.pdf

3. Fertilize & spray organically. Your local garden store or plant center should have a selection of organic fertilizers and natural, bio-based pesticides to help you nourish and protect your plants. There are plant and animal-based fertilizers available, as well as natural bacterias and plant-extract pesticides available.

4. Compost! The food you throw away is perfect fuel for your own compost bin. Plants can eat what you don’t! Small compost bins are a good place to start, though you can scale up your compost operation by investing in larger, somewhat more complex systems. For a complete guide to composting, check out this website: http://compostguide.com/http://compostguide.com/

There’s nothing quite like tossing a salad full of vegetables you grew in your own yard. The freshness and satisfaction are incomparable, plus you’ll feel good knowing you’re feeding your family organic food.

Don’t have a backyard yet? I can help you with that! I can help you sell your current home or find a house ideally suited for a little organic garden of your own.

Get in touch with me now: valeriemcconville@gmail.com

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