Organic Gardening Ideas: Grow Organic Veggies, Organic Farming Fundamentals

Organic gardening is making a comeback across the United States, as more people work towards building healthier lifestyles founded on home-grown foods.

The beauty of organic gardening lies in having complete control over the way food production and consumption impacts the body and the world.

This organic gardening guide will walk you through how to grow different organic vegetables and also provide some illumination on how organic farming works so that you can begin growing your own vegetables and flowers without the use of harmful chemicals and petroleum based products.

What Is Organic Gardening?

There are many perspectives on and understandings of organic gardening, with some gardeners insisting it means one thing while others propose a different approach. Getting down to a true and complete definition, what is organic gardening?

Organic gardening is an approach to gardening in which a person works with nature to promote vigor and fertility throughout the garden and landscape.¹³

Organic gardening involves growing plants for personal use, contrasting with organic farming where farmers grow food for commercial purposes.

While organic gardening is not technically regulated like commercial organic farming, many organic gardeners still elect to follow the USDA National Organic Standard in their gardening practices.^14,17

The gardening practices that are foundational to organic gardening are the following:

1. Seed

Using organic seed provides a solid start to organic gardening. Organic seed can be obtained through seed suppliers and some plant nurseries.

Saving seed from a previous year’s organic crops is a great way to save money and ensure the quality of plants.

2. Sites

The importance of choosing the right garden site can not be overstated. Choose a site with fertile soil that gets at least 6 hours of full sun each day.

Ensure the site is in an area far away from yards that are exposed to insecticides and herbicides.

3. Fertilizer

Fertilize the soil using natural means such as regularly adding compost and green manures to increase organic matter in the soil. The healthier the soil is, the more robust the plants will be.

There are also some commercial fertilizers that are USDA-approved for organic gardens.

4. Pests

Pests are usually a primary concern for gardeners going organic. Organic gardeners look to preventative measures to deter pests, such as growing pest-resistant plant varieties, planting herbs with deterrent abilities, sanitizing gardening tools, keeping plants healthy, rotating crops yearly, and weeding regularly.¹⁴

Fundamentals of Organic Farming

Per the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), organic farming can be defined as the process of growing and processing food without the use of non-natural (synthesized) pesticides and fertilizers.⁹

(Image: jf-gabnor³⁸)

Organic farming, also called organic agriculture, has some fundamental tenets:

Care

This is the principle of organic farming that is actively forward-looking, safeguarding the land for future generations. A farmer should weigh the efficiency of farming technologies against the negative consequences and environmental impact.

This is why organic farming often relies on traditional agriculture strategies that balance resource conservation and production.⁵

Ecology

The Principle of Ecology involves sustaining and replenishing the Earth through ecologically-minded farming techniques. This includes minimizing waste in production and processing through reuse and recycling, promoting soil integrity by preventing erosion, rotating crops and fertilizing with manure, and conserving resources whenever possible.⁵

Fairness

This tenet has more to do with the business side of organic farming. Dealing fairly with other market participants, from field workers to consumers, creates a positive dynamic and cooperative system.

This means that workers should be paid fairly, goods should be priced fairly, and livestock should be cared for properly.⁵

Health

This pertains to the health of farmers, consumers, the soil, livestock, and beyond. The absence of harmful chemicals such as pesticides and insecticides in food crops preserves the integrity of the microbiome in the soil and the livestock that feed on those crops.

Avoiding those chemicals also means no pesticide residue on foods, something that has been linked to cancer-causing agents.⁵

Many consumers of organic food may not realize that the organic farming process goes beyond the growing of the food. It also encompasses how the food is processed, delivered, and stored.

For farmers that raise livestock, the livestock must also be treated appropriately, without harmful additives, growth hormones, antibiotics, and so on. Livestock should have organic forage.⁵

Natural Gardening vs Organic Gardening

The term ‘natural gardening’ is often used to refer to organic gardening, but these are discrete concepts despite their similarities.

While natural gardening may use many of the methods accepted for organic gardening, it does not have the same process of certification, oversight, and safeguards in place.

(Image: PierreGilbert³⁹)

The term ‘organic’ is regulated by the government (USDA), ensuring that the word is not misused or misrepresented. This is not the case for ‘natural,’ a label that can be applied without sanction.

So while many ‘natural’ foods may indeed be organically grown, the producers are not certified to label their food as organic. As consumers, this is risky territory, not knowing exactly how the foods are produced.¹²

How Is Organic Farming Regulated?

According to the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, amended in 2005, to be considered an ‘organic farm,’ the farming system for a site must be certified by the appropriate agency.¹⁰

In the United States, the regulations for organic farming and organic certification are established by the National Organic Program (NOP), a federal program that is also in charge of accreditation for third-party certifying agents.⁸

(Image: MabelAmber⁴⁰)

There are almost 80 certifying agents accredited by the USDA/NOP to certify U.S-owned farms around the world. Farmers can find an organic certifying agent nearby by utilizing the USDA Organic Certifier Locator.¹⁸

Many states are advancing their own organic farming criteria, but as of now, California is the only state with a state-level government program to oversee organic farm operations and certifications within the state (see California State Organic Program).¹⁹ However, there are several other states with government-based certifying agents that are USDA-regulated.

The following table includes a list of the 15 states that have government-based certifying agents accredited by the USDA.²⁰

Organic Gardening for Beginners

The prospect of organic gardening can certainly be intimidating, particularly for individuals just starting out. It is so important that gardeners know how and where to start building their organic gardening system.

Follow these tips on organic gardening for beginners to start off on the right foot:¹¹

1. Choose the Best Location

Finding the right site for the garden is absolutely vital in establishing the foundation for success. Plants are unlikely to thrive in shaded areas or low areas that collect water.

Consider location carefully to build a long-term garden.

2. Get To Know the Soil

Fertile soil is the most important ingredient for a thriving organic garden. Organic gardening works from the premise that healthy soil supports healthy plants, so get to know the soil by having it tested through a local cooperative extension office.

(Image: Goumbik⁴¹)

Use compost or green manure to amend the garden soil.

3. Decide What To Plant

Do a little research to find out what plants are the most robust in the area. Nothing is more reinforcing for beginning gardeners than enjoying home-grown food, so choose plants that are diet staples and easy to grow.

Look for organic seed at nearby nurseries and seed suppliers and choose varieties that are disease-resistant.¹¹

4. Plan the Garden for Efficiency

To make an organic garden sustainable, it needs to be efficient. While this can mean different things for different people, the idea is to prepare the garden so that it functions in a way which reduces the workload down the road.

This may include:

• Setting up a drip irrigation system. It’s better for the plants and less time-consuming for the gardener.
• Designing the garden to maximize space (Ex. going vertical, planting in squares or circles instead of rows).
• Find out what pests are common in the area and plan to include herbs or flowers that are deterrents of those pests (Ex. marigolds, lemongrass, mint, etc.).
• Remove weeds and debris from the area. Consider Solarization to kill weeds, weed seed, and harmful diseases.
• Do some research to find out which plants grow well together and take advantage of those pairings.

5. Plant and Mulch

Many organic gardeners advocate for no till gardening, leaving the ground soil undisturbed, but adding a thick layer of fertile planting soil on top.

Pay attention to spacing requirements when planting and mulch with an organic product.

6. Fertilize With Compost

Organic gardening capitalizes on the health of the soil.

(Image: herb007⁴²)

Thus, it is crucial to keep the soil rich and fertile by adding in compost and/or organic fertilizers on a regular basis.

7. Don’t Overwater

Root rot can be a problem for many food crops, so check the moisture in the soil to ensure the plants are not overwatered. Water when the top inch is dry to the touch.¹¹

8. Weed Often

Weeds are problematic for a load of reasons. They attract pests, they consume nutrients and water that the food plants need, and they smother out desirable vegetation.

Since organic gardeners won’t be using artificial means of weed control, it is imperative that they weed the garden often.

9. Keep an Eye Out for Troublesome Pests

Not all critters in the garden are pests, so learn which ones are problematic for the plants. Keep an eye out for these and remove them if discovered.

Vegetable Gardening the Organic Way (Organic Vegetable Gardening)

Growing organic vegetables doesn’t have to be difficult or intimidating, and in fact, it should be a fulfilling and rewarding process. Organic vegetable gardening starts from the ground up.

Gardeners must plan to nourish their soil so that the soil can nourish their vegetable crops.

Starting a compost bin is one of the best steps a gardener can take to ensure successful organic vegetable gardening, as the soil will benefit from frequent compost supplements.

Remember that most organic approaches advocate for no till gardening methods that preserve soil integrity to the utmost.

(Image: dassel⁴³)

Organic vegetable gardening also means starting with USDA-certified organic seed or seedlings. It may be difficult to find all of the organic varieties desired the first year, but save garden seeds from year to year and grow the seed stock gradually.

A diverse garden tends to be more successful, both in supporting the ecosystem, deterring pests, and enhancing genetic diversity. Practice intercropping, planting vegetable and fruit crops alongside herbs and ornamental flowers, to replenish the soil and attract more wildlife.

Rotate food crops between years to the benefit of the soil.¹³

Surprisingly, some of the best plants to grow in an organic vegetable garden are herbs, such as:²

• Basil plants, mint plants, marigolds, and sage to deter rabbits.
• Garlic plants to deter aphids, caterpillars, mites, and flies, among other pests.

But what vegetable plants are best in an organic garden? Consider planting:

• Bean plants are a great crop to grow. They are legumes, which fix nitrogen, enriching the soil for other plants.
• Carrot plants are resilient, hardy, and low maintenance, thriving in less than ideal soil conditions.
• Lettuce plants and spinach plants which can thrive in part-sun conditions (<6 hours).
• Tomato plants are among the easiest to grow, and they are quite versatile. They can also be grown alongside bell pepper plants.¹⁵

How To Make an Existing Vegetable Garden Organic

Not every person wanting to grow organic vegetables is a beginning gardener. Some have been growing their own food for years and are overwhelmed by the prospect of trading years of learned habits and relative sureties for the unknown outcome of a new gardening venture.

However, a backyard vegetable garden can be transformed into an organic garden gradually, step-by-step, and it does not need to happen overnight. Whether the vegetable garden is growing in planters, raised garden beds, or garden rows, the first steps for transitioning to gardening organically are:

1. Eliminate the use of pesticides, insecticides and herbicides entirely, in and around the garden.
2. See to the soil: Test the soil with the local extension office and amend the soil with nutrient rich organic matter to boost soil health.
3. Start a compost pile or bin: Begin composting at home, whether on a small scale or large scale. This is a tremendous help in making the organic transition a sustainable one.⁴

Every day, more people are making the decision to grow their own food, and many are choosing to do this in the safest way possible, organically.

Advantages to Organic Gardening

There are so many benefits to organic gardening, from those that are most impactful at an individual level to those that affect the community and earth itself.

Here are some of the main advantages:

1. Organically grown food is safer for consumption, as it is free of pesticides, insecticides, and artificial preservatives which have been linked to cancer.
2. Organic-grown produce is richer in vitamins and minerals than commercial crops.
3. Organic gardening has many health benefits for the gardener, from Vitamin D intake to increased serotonin, improving mood and physical well-being.
4. The organic gardening process is safer for the gardener when chemical exposure is not a concern.
5. An organic garden is safer for pets and children using the area.
6. An organic garden is pollinator friendly and helps sustain ecosystems necessary for insects such as bees and butterflies.
7. Organic gardening is a great way for individuals to learn about the interactions of nature and how to sustain and enhance natural processes over time.
8. Organic gardening helps reduce the carbon footprint of gardening by eliminating the need for the carbon-heavy manufacturing and processing of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and insecticides.
9. Organic gardening also prevents the eventuality of harmful chemicals leaching into the soil and subsequently the water system, where local wildlife can be significantly impacted.¹³

How To Grow Organic Anywhere

Many people who want to grow organic food may feel limited by their available space. Fortunately, this does not have to be an insurmountable obstacle for dedicated gardeners.

In fact, there are entire books on how to garden organically with less space, such as in urban environments.

So how do urban gardeners do it? Well, for starters, they get creative with their space.

Urban gardeners are increasingly finding ways to turn the concrete jungle into a living landscape through container gardening, vertical gardening, and rooftop gardening.

Herbs, fruits, and vegetables can all be grown in various sized containers or garden planters. These planters may adorn a patio, a windowsill, a balcony, and even a front stoop.

(Image: TorwoodGC⁴⁴)

The key to gardening organically in limited space is ensuring plants are well fed and watered. Plants grown in containers and planters require more supplementation than traditional garden plants.¹⁶

Strawberry plants are great in garden containers.

Some gardeners even take up greenhouse gardening to maximize their space. Some greenhouses are quite small, and some are even portable, so a small backyard can be transformed into a gardening haven.

Organic Gardening Supplies for the Backyard Garden

To build a successful organic backyard garden, a gardener needs the right tools and supplies. Certain gardening tools, such as a hand spade, a wheelbarrow, and a garden hose are indispensable.

But many gardeners are wondering what their options are when it comes to organic gardening supplies.

One consideration for organic gardeners is the garden hose. Look for garden hoses that are USDA-certified for drinking water, or even better, a USDA-certified drip irrigation garden watering system.

Some gardeners also consider a garden hose water filter a must for growing organic food.³

Not all gardeners use gardening gloves, but those that do should be aware that many gardening gloves contain phthalates that are linked to cancer. Replace plastic gloves with cotton gloves or rubber gloves that are USDA certified.

Note that USDA certified organic products bear the USDA Organic Seal.^6,21

Organic Gardening Soil

The best organic gardening soil is going to be a nutrient-rich mixture of topsoil, compost and other organic matter (mulch, leaves, etc.). Pre-mix the components before filling the garden bed or site, and be sure to layer extra compost and mulch at the top.

Bags of premixed organic soil can also be purchased, but this can be costly, less efficient, and often unnecessary.⁷

Organic Fertilizers

The ideal food for the organic garden is compost, nutrient-rich organic matter that has been broken down from a combination of kitchen, garden, and lawn waste. Most organic gardeners maintain their own composting system to ensure the quality of their compost.

When composting at home is not an option, compost and other organic fertilizers can often be obtained locally.

Organic Pest Control

Artificial pest control is an absolute no-go in organic gardening, and this is why organic gardeners look to preventative measures, such as growing pest-resistant plants, growing plants that attract beneficial insects, rotating crops, mixing plant types, reducing garden debris, and weeding to control pests.

If a pest problem should occur, try containing the issue manually before resorting to a USDA horticultural oil or insecticidal soap spray.¹³

Organic farming is strictly regulated by the USDA, and the term ‘organic’ is also USDA protected, so always pay attention to food labels, looking for the USDA Organic Seal.

Frequently Asked Questions About Organic Gardening