Tips for Growing Vegetables in an Eco-Garden

If you are thinking about tips for growing vegetables in an eco-garden, you may be torn between what kind of plants you want to grow. Do you want to grow herbs or vegetables? Perennial plants or annuals? Some folks have the idea that it is more cost effective to buy their veggies at a supermarket and have them sent to a green house rather than trying to grow their own. However, if you are growing your own organic vegetables, you will find that the cost of organic produce is much lower than buying at a store.

1. Use Organic Materials in Gardening Beds

One of the best tips for growing vegetables in an eco-garden is to make sure you use organic materials in your gardening beds. There are some great all natural organic soil mixes available at most garden centers. In addition to compost, these organic soils are also loaded with plenty of other nutrients, such as nitrogen, which is vital to growing vegetables. Soil that has been enriched with compost will provide your plants with the nutrients they need to thrive. It will also add plenty of bulk to your soil so that it will stay nutrient filled all year long. This means no concern about water or nutrients running out of the soil as the seasons pass.

2. Use Organic Fertilizers

There are several types of organic fertilizers that you can use. Some soil mixes contain humic acid, which is a byproduct of cattle’s digestive digestion. This compound is a wonderful soil additive because it adds much needed calcium to your plants’ soil. However, you should only use humic acid as a natural fertilizer. Make sure you follow all guidelines for proper use of this compound. You can find humic acid at most organic garden centers.

3. Use Soil Additives

Other soil additives are available that will work well with your growing medium. One of these substances is potassium nitrate, which can be mixed into your soil fairly easily. Potassium nitrate has a remarkable effect on plant root growth. It will help your plants have larger root systems, which will lead to more productivity and you will have less need of supplemental fertilizers.

4. Watering the Vegetables

When it comes to watering the vegetables, it is best to water only when the soil is really dry. There is nothing more frustrating than having to water a garden that is well established and the roots are still growing. Most organic gardeners believe that the soil should be watered after each irrigation or every other watering but many experienced gardeners think otherwise.

5. Pay Attention to Plant’s Needs

There are a variety of other things you can do to maximize your plants’ health. For instance, you should pay attention to your plants’ needs for sunlight. While certain plants need more than others, many of them thrive better if they get a good deal of the morning sun during the day. Some of these plants, such as radishes and cucumbers, actually do better in southern areas where they receive a lot of sunlight throughout the day. Sunlight is also necessary for photosynthesis, which converts food into sugar.

6. Consider Soil Conditions

On top of growing organic, you should also think about the soil condition and pH level of your soil. In order to grow crops that are healthy and strong, you need to make sure that your soil is rich in nutrients, such as nitrogen and potassium. These two nutrients are absolutely essential for your plants to thrive, and you should work to ensure that you improve their soil conditions at least quarterly or yearly.

7. Avoid Using Chemicals

Another one of the best tips for growing vegetables in an eco-garden is to avoid using chemicals in the first place. You can use organic fertilizers and soil additives, but you don’t need to use harmful pesticides. Organic fertilizers contain everything that your plants need to grow healthy, including everything from copper to sulfur to manure – just make sure that you are purchasing organic products.

8. Conclusion

If you are worried that growing vegetables in an organic garden might take a little time, then this is definitely something to consider. The best thing about this type of gardening is that you can completely do it on your own. You won’t have to pay anyone to do it, so you can save money and you get to enjoy the process as much as possible. You can easily get into the rhythm of gardening if you follow these tips for growing vegetables in an eco-garden.