Organic Gardening
Summary Organic horticulture and organic gardening are presented across these sources as a soil-centered, ecology-based approach to growing plants without relying on synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, and routine chemical pesticides. The core idea is that healthy soil creates healthier plants, which in turn are better able to resist pests, disease, and environmental stress. Across the materials, the same practices recur: building soil with compost, manures, mulches, cover crops, worm castings, and mineral amendments; minimizing disturbance through no-dig or no-till methods; rotating crops; conserving water; and using natural or low-toxicity pest strategies such as row covers, insect netting, beneficial insects, resistant varieties, trap crops, insecticidal soaps, and homemade sprays. Organic horticulture can apply to flowers, landscapes, vegetables, fruits, and postharvest handling, but the strongest emphasis in these sources is on home food production.
A second major theme is self-reliance and sustainability. Many sources frame organic gardening not only as a way to avoid unwanted chemical inputs, but also as a practical response to concerns about health, freshness, cost, resilience, and environmental responsibility. Videos and how-to articles stress that organic gardening can be done in backyards, raised beds, containers, windowsills, balconies, and even on paved urban lots. Beginner guidance focuses on choosing a sunny site, starting with manageable crops, using raised beds or containers where soil is poor, keeping a garden journal, and building fertility gradually rather than trying to “fix” everything with purchased products. Budget-minded sources add that gardeners can save money by composting, reusing materials, filling raised beds partly with organic matter, and relying on homegrown soil improvements instead of commercial inputs.
The pest-management discussion is notably more nuanced than simply “kill the bugs.” Several sources argue that organic gardening works best when gardeners think in systems: some insects are beneficial, many “pests” are part of a broader food web, and total eradication can backfire. Prevention is treated as more important than rescue treatments. Healthy soil, proper spacing, crop choice, sanitation, mulching, and biodiversity all reduce problems before they escalate. Fungal disease prevention, especially blight, is also tied to good airflow, sound watering practices, and avoiding plant stress. At the same time, the materials acknowledge that “organic” is not identical to “harmless”; one source specifically notes that even naturally derived substances such as sulfur can carry health and environmental risks, suggesting that organic practice still requires judgment and restraint.
Several sources connect organic methods to larger questions of climate and land stewardship. No-dig systems, compost application, cover cropping, and regenerative or carbon-farming approaches are presented as ways to protect soil life, reduce erosion, improve water retention, and potentially store more carbon in the ground. Research-oriented sources and commentary on organic farming suggest that organic methods can be scientifically grounded, economically viable, and in some cases more profitable because of price premiums, though they also require more knowledge, labor, observation, and persistence than conventional approaches. Overall, the collection portrays organic horticulture as both a practical gardening method and a broader philosophy: work with nature, feed the soil, encourage biodiversity, avoid unnecessary chemicals, and accept that successful gardening comes from observation, adaptation, and long-term care rather than quick fixes.
Organic Horticulture
Mulches, cover crops, compost, manures, vermicompost, and mineral supplements are soil-building mainstays that distinguish this type of farming from its conventional counterpart. Through attention to good healthy soil condition, it is expected that insect, fungal, or other problems that sometimes plague plants can be minimized. However, pheromone traps, insecticidal soap sprays, and other pest-control methods available to organic farmers are also utilized by organic horticulturists.
Horticulture involves five areas of study: floriculture (includes production and marketing of floral crops), landscape horticulture (includes production, marketing and maintenance of landscape plants), olericulture (includes production and marketing of vegetables), pomology (includes production and marketing of fruits), and postharvest physiology (involves maintaining quality and preventing spoilage of horticultural crops). All of these can be, and sometimes are, pursued according to the principles of organic cultivation.
Learn Organic Gardening at GrowingYourGreens
Growing Your Greens is one of the most watched gardening show on youtube. It's a fun and enlightening show on how to grow food at your home and beyond. John provides you with tips and tricks as well as shares his experiences growing food at his urban homestead. John is dedicated to helping you sustainably grow the highest quality fruits, vegetables, herbs, nuts and other edible foods in your front yard and beyond. Don't forget to subscribe to keep up with all the latest episodes.
What Does Organic Really Mean? Food and Farming Practices
by Katherine Gallagher 13/10/21 treehugger
Although organic farming has gained an immense amount of momentum over the last two decades, the term was actually coined back in the 1940s. English agriculturalist Walter James first used it as a way to describe a farm as a living “organism,” while the founder of the Rodale Institute published his own farming methods that refrained from the use of chemicals around the same time. As safety concerns over the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides in food grew throughout the 1990s, so did the popularity and demand for organic products. As of 2018, the annual global organic market exceeds $100 billion, with about 2.8 million organic producers operating worldwide.
Organic Gardening: Everyone Can Do It!
by Susan's In The Garden YouTube
Garden expert Susan Mulvihill explains the importance and ease of gardening organically, whether you're growing edible crops or ornamental plants. She covers why insecticides are bad for our health and kill off both damaging AND beneficial insects in our gardens. Learn her tips for following organic practices and keeping your plants as healthy as possible! #gardening #vegetablegarden #organicgardening
In the video, Susan mentioned how helpful row covers are for creating a barrier against insects on edible plants that don't need pollination. She has floating row cover and agricultural insect netting in her Amazon store (https://www.amazon.com/shop/susansint...) under the "Organic Gardening Products" category. She also mentioned her book, The Vegetable Garden Pest Handbook, which is all about damaging insects as well as beneficial insects that you want to attract to your garden. It is filled with organic methods and it's in her Amazon store as well, under "Susan's Books." As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. However, that will not impact the price you pay.
My Organic Garden
by debbiesorganicgarden YouTube
I'm showing you how I set up my personal Garden Journal so that you can keep records and notes in a neat and orderly way. It's easy to create and easy to navigate to the spot on the document that you will be looking for.
Organic Gardening Basics - Week 1 of 4
by Next Level Gardening 2022 YouTube
Everything you need to know to get your Spring/Summer Garden off to a great start. The rest of the season we’ll be walking through specific plants/topics together when things are supposed to be done… But in the
beginning I want to give you all the info you need to start strong and learn all the basics of organic gardening!
Why I Won't Stop Organic Gardening After 25 Years & You Shouldn't Either
by Learn Organic Gardening at GrowingYourGreens 2025 YouTube
John from GrowingYourGreens shares his unwavering passion for organic gardening after 25 years, revealing how cultivating chemical-free, nutrient-dense food has transformed his lifestyle and empowered him to reclaim his health and independence.
In this episode, you will learn about the core principles of organic gardening—how growing your own food goes beyond a hobby to become a statement of self-reliance and a pathway to better health. Discover why John’s commitment to nurturing healthy soil, free from industrial chemicals, results in produce that is both flavorful and packed with essential minerals. This video is crafted for gardeners of all levels who are eager to break free from conventional food systems. John explains the benefits of using natural amendments like rock dust, worm castings, biochar, and beneficial microbes to create a thriving, living ecosystem in your garden.
Top 10 Tips For a Thriving Organic Vegetable Garden
Over the years, Joe Lamp'l has learned a thing or two about what makes a garden healthy and productive. He's taught thousands of beginning gardeners how to start and maintain a successful organic vegetable garden, and he's sharing his top 10 tips in this video.
Organic Gardening: Four Seasons Gardening Webinar Series
by University of Illinois Extension Horticulture 2023 YouTube
Learn about what organic gardening is and how you can implement organic practices in your own vegetable garden. Join Horticulture Educator Ken Johnson as he covers the natural ways of growing vegetables.
Organic Vegetable Gardening
From gardening basics to the science of soil structure, getting seedlings off to the best start possible, mastering nutrients and water, keeping your maintenance manageable, dealing with pests and disease in an effective and responsible way, getting the most out of your garden come harvest time, and a start-to-finish guide for just about every vegetable you could ever want to grow… I’m going to go in-depth on each and every one of those topics- and more- to help you make your next garden the most successful one you’ve ever grown.
How to be an ORGANIC GARDENER: 7 Tips for Success
by Growing In The Garden 2021 YouTube
Whether it's carving spoons, making my own hand tools, restoring my antique truck or growing heirloom tomatoes, the farm and workshop definitely keep me busy and support - whether financially through Patreon, through shopping my affiliate links, through buying merchandise, plans or project videos, or even just liking, commenting, and sharing my content with others helps me GREATLY to keep producing quality content to share.
10 Organic Gardening Tips: 5 for Beginners & 5 Advanced Techniques
by Learn Organic Gardening at GrowingYourGreens 2024 YouTube
In this episode, you will learn valuable tips and strategies to take your gardening skills to the next level, whether you're a beginner just starting out or an experienced gardener looking to optimize your yields. We kick things off at the Baker Creek Spring Tulip Festival in Mansfield, Missouri, where I had the pleasure of co-presenting with Wendy from Wendy Land. Wendy shares her top five tips for new gardeners, focusing on how to make the most of small spaces, understand sunlight, and choose the right plants for a thriving garden. Even as a seasoned gardener, I found myself learning new things from Wendy's insights, especially her creative solutions for maximizing productivity in limited areas.
Wendy's journey into gardening is truly inspiring. She began with a small patio garden, growing rare and medicinal herbs that aren't readily available in stores. Her passion for growing healthy, unique plants was fueled by personal experiences, such as helping her father manage pre-diabetes with homegrown longevity spinach. Wendy’s section is filled with practical advice on how to assess your space, grow vertically, and maintain garden health. She emphasizes the importance of starting with the basics, like understanding your garden’s light patterns and setting up your space in a way that works best for the plants.
What is Organic Gardening? (Q&A)
by Gardener Scott 2021 YouTube
Organic gardening lacks clear definition but drives the actions of many gardeners. Gardener Scott discusses organic gardening activities and philosophies, answers gardening questions, shares his gardening philosophy, and much more. Your Gardening Week (Live) #85
Organic Gardening: Gardenerd Tour
Los Angeles Fall Gardenerd Tour using the Samsung Gear 360. First attempt!
20 Year-Old Organic Vegetable Garden | FINAL Tour of 2022🌿
Try Readly today and get 2 months for free with my link: https://readly.com/huwrichards - I am delighted to share the final garden tour of 2022 of our no-dig organic garden using raised beds with sides. Around 20 years ago my parents created the first half of the garden and it has been growing using organic principles from day 1. Today, there is a lot of permaculture inspiration and almost every bed is no dig, however, for crops like Jerusalem artichokes (sunchokes) it is almost impossible to harvest them without digging! I really hope you enjoy this vegetable garden tour and it completes the 2022 garden tour playlist which you can view here:
OYR Frugal & Sustainable Organic Gardening
I'm passionate about an approach to organic gardening that is frugal, easy, sustainable, and works with nature to achieve amazing results. My videos will help you grow more healthy organic fruits and vegetables, while working less and saving money. I don't push gardening products. I don't hype bogus "garden secrets". I provide evidence based strategies to help you grow a lot of food on a little land without spending much or working harder than you have to!
Permaculture Garden Harvest | Organic BACKYARD Gardening at it's Best
by The Gardening Channel With James Prigioni 2022 YouTube
Some of the BIGGEST Cauliflowers I have ever grown!
ORGANIC GARDENING AT HOME
Gardening in harmony with nature keeps us safe & happy as well as all the wildlife which visits our gardens. ORGANIC GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS: https://www.joyusgarden.com/organic-g...
What to Do in the Organic Garden Every Day
by Learn Organic Gardening at GrowingYourGreens YouTube
John from http://www.growingyourgreens.com/ takes you on a late summer garden tour POV style (point of view) style to share with you what you might want to do in your garden everyday.
In this episode, John shares with you the thoughts going on in his head as he creates a to-do list as he wanders his garden to see the many tasks that are needed to get done. You will discover some of his thought process that allows him to be a good organic gardener. After watching this episode you will have a better understanding of some of the things you may want to do in your organic garden everyday to ensure it produces bountiful amounts of fresh fruits for you and your family.
Organic Vegetable Gardening for Beginners
Organic Vegetable Gardening for Beginners. Part of the series: Winter Planning for Spring Gardens. Organic gardening refers to the growing of fruits and vegetables without the use of harsh pesticides, fungicides and non-organic fertilizers. Practice soil conservation with help from a gardener in this free video on organic vegetable gardening. Read more: http://www.ehow.com/video_7676420_org...
Organic Gardening Methods
by Horticulture Webinar Wednesday 2021 YouTube
Faye Kuosman, Horticulture Extension Agent for the University of Kentucky in Woodford County discusses how to grow lavender.
Organic Gardening For Beginners - Episode 2
by Next Level Gardening 2020 YouTube
Everything you need to know to get your Spring/Summer Garden off to a great start. The rest of the season we’ll be walking through specific plants/topics together when things are supposed to be done… But in the
beginning I want to give you all the info you need to start strong and learn all the basics of organic gardening!
5 of the Best Organic Vegetable Growing tips
In today’s video you will learn or be refreshed about the top ways to growing healthier vegetables in your organic garden. Organic gardening faces more challenges than conventional gardening methods due to a zero-tolerance to harmful chemical use. But, it is very possible to get a higher-yielding harvest because other gardening methods overlook fundamental points to a stronger crop.
Using plastic to plant out squashes: • The Best way to Plant out Squashes - Provi...
Organic Gardening Tips & Advice
Garden Pest Update - organic pest control using row covers, poultry wire, organic sprays, trap plants, and good bugs. Also, a preview of DIY raised bed covers to keep the larger critters out.
Your plants are growing, thriving, blossoming, and producing when suddenly, you go outside one morning to discover that something has gotten a hold of your precious plants. What do you do when your garden is under siege?
Organic Vegetable Gardening on a Budget - 15 Money Saving Tips
by Next Level Gardening YouTube
Next Level Gardening
Discover Organic Gardening Secrets! World Record Garden Tour & No-Till Tips for Healthy Soil!
How to Start an Organic Garden
by paulcfrussell in Living AUTODESLL Instructables
Home gardening is on the rise. People are reclaiming their lawns and returning to the practice of cultivating vegetables and herbs in their own homes, in flower pots or window boxes or backyards. And with this nationwide move to get back in touch with the soil and nature, home farmers are also taking on the challenge of sticking to organic farming. No chemicals, no pesticides, no harm to the local environment - just good, freshly grown vegetables straight from the soil.
Grow Organic Food Without Spending $
by gowithflo in Living AUTODESK Instructables
I am fortunate enough to be living rent free for the year in beautiful and mysterious Roswell NM, I decided I would like to experiment with how to live sustainably and cheaply (two things that go well together), so that in the future I can implement these skills and tricks when I return to a renters life. Naturally this requires skills like gardening, greywatering, composting, and the raiding of dumpsters and recycling bins. I decided to bring all the small things I have learned/developed together into one all encompassing life altering instructable. Along the way I have found other peoples instructables to be very useful so I have linked to them as well. Be sure to look at all the picture notes for details and specifics on the smaller things I have done.
Easy Organic Garden Any Where - the NO DIG GARDEN
by agatornz in Living AUTODESK Instructables
It can be built any where (on concrete, earth, clay) having no essential relationship to that surface (all though on earth it will contribute to the improvement eventually thanks to MR worm.)
I encourage you to use your imagination and also to follow the principles of both companion planting and permaculture to maximize the benefit of the system. While me and nature prefer lots of curves and no straight lines or rules, i have formated this instructable with in a set of rules, so those who are not familiar with it can see how it works to start with, when you have the hang of it feel free to experiment.
Organic Homestead - Smallholding
by Pavlovafowl in Living AUTODESK Instructables
All our projects are about aspects of our daily life; a return to a simple yet fulfilling way of living far from the madding crowd. Here we share some of our ideas with you. Maybe you already are, or perhaps you are just thinking about becoming, a 'happy peasant'. Here's hoping you find some of this helpful and thought-provoking. Best Wishes Sue and Andy
Angela England
England is the founder of Untrained Housewife, a site for active parents and families dedicated to recapturing the lost arts of intentional and self-sufficient living. She served four years as the Plants and Bulbs Feature Writer at Suite101.com. She is the Editor-in-Chief at Blissfully Domestic, online women's magazine. England is also the Founder of Homestead Bloggers Network - a community for the growth and support of bloggers who write about homesteading topics.
Herb and Vegetable Gardens
Starting your own vegetable garden can be a rewarding and delicious hobby. But choosing the right vegetables can make the difference between a bountiful harvest and a frustrating experience. If you're a beginner, you'll want to start with the easiest vegetables to grow in different seasons.
6 Budget-Friendly Things You Should Add to Fill Your Raised Garden Bed Instead of
by Nadia Hassani 25/3/25 the spruce
The deeper a raised bed, the easier it is on your back and the more flexibility you have about the crops you can grow, including those with deep roots. The snag is that filling up a raised bed 24 to 36 inches tall with topsoil can get really expensive really fast.
Luckily, there is no need to use only high-grade topsoil; there are several other alternative fillers that are not only economical but also improve the soil over time. Here are six organic materials you can use to fill up raised garden beds.
Self-Sufficient Gardening Is the Sustainable Method We Should All Try in 2025
by Nadia Hassani 28/1/25 the spruce
Self-sufficient gardening became a buzzword over the past few years since many people started to grow produce to make up for supply chain shortages. While the trend has continued, nowadays, the motivation of gardeners is more often sustainability—and, of course, the unbeatable freshness and taste of homegrown veggies.
Before you start your journey into self-sufficient gardening, read what experts have to say about the topic.
Organic Care of Your Garden: Manure, Maceration and Decoction (incl. Plants Chart)
by BaptisteL8 AUTODESK Instructables
I have an Urban Garden on my balcony for years and I try to use less and less chemicals, mainly fertilizers. I have never used any chemical instecticides or so as I have access to a wide range of fresh herbs, thanks to my mother-in-law house situated in the countryside not so far from us.
I will share with you today the 3 kinds of preparation I make to organically take care of my garden, fertilize it and save it from bugs and fungi.
Tired of High-Maintenance Gardening? Permaculture Gardens Practically Run Themselves
by David Beaulieu 16/5/25 the spruce
When you first start hearing about permaculture gardens, it might sound like a daunting task. But have no fear: "Permaculture garden" is an umbrella term for a number of simple garden techniques, many of which you have probably already adopted.
You don't have to use every technique that falls under the "permaculture" umbrella. Think of permaculture gardening as being like eating at a buffet: You get to pick what's on the menu. Here's how to give it a try.
Spring Cleaning the Organic Garden
by DanPro AUTODESK Instructables
I got caught off guard last fall, I didn't get the garden cleaned up. The gales of November came early. Landscape fabric is a godsend to the organic gardener. Not so, if you walk on it all summer ,then leave it down all winter.
Natural Bug Repellent for Plants: 15 Organic Sprays That Actually Work
by Colleen Vanderlinden 22/12/24 howstuffworks
If you're interested in starting your first garden, you're probably focused on the sorts of plants, flowers, or fruits and veggies you plan to grow. However, it's important to also consider the rodents, bugs, weeds, and other pests that can't wait to indulge on your efforts. Unless you have the funds to pay commercial pest control to visit your humble garden, chances are you'll need to learn about DIY pest control.
As luck would have it, this article contains all of the advice and suggestions you'll need to steal back those dollars you put aside for a pest control company. Better yet, a natural bug repellent for plants contains organic active ingredients, rather than chemical repellents — solving your pest problem without adding a toxic element to your green space!
Self-Sufficient Gardening Is the Sustainable Method We Should All Try in 2025
by NADIA HASSANI 28/1/25 the spruce
Self-sufficient gardening became a buzzword over the past few years since many people started to grow produce to make up for supply chain shortages. While the trend has continued, nowadays, the motivation of gardeners is more often sustainability—and, of course, the unbeatable freshness and taste of homegrown veggies.
Before you start your journey into self-sufficient gardening, read what experts have to say about the topic.
Composting for a Vegetable Garden
by C. Colston Burrell howstuffworks
Garden waste can be turned into good compost in less than a year if the pile is properly managed. When the compost is ready -- coarse, dark brown, peat-like material -- it can be used for many purposes. Compost can be added to potting soil for starting garden seeds indoors. It can also be used as a mulch to protect a plant's roots from the hot, dry summer sun. Compost is also an excellent material to incorporate into garden soil to help control moisture: either increasing the water-holding capacity in sandy soils or improving drainage in heavy clay soils. The more organic matter you add, the more you improve the texture of the soil. Blend the compost into the soil to a depth of 12 inches, making sure it is evenly dispersed through the entire planting area. When compost is added to the soil, it will absorb some of the soil's nitrogen. To compensate for this, organic or inorganic fertilizer and work it into the soil with the compost.
How to Prepare Soil for an Organic Garden
by Steve Masley 28/9/25 WikiHow
As researchers discover additional medical problems associated with the use of chemicals and pesticides, many conscientious individuals are turning to organic gardening to protect their family from these problems. While the basics of preparing soil for an organic garden are similar to that of a non-organic garden, there are some important differences that should be noted to ensure an abundant, vibrant crop.
Urban Asphalt Organic Garden
by germinators in Living AUTODESK Instructables
Constructing "green space" as well as an organic vegetable garden on asphalt for an Atlanta-based Community Outreach Non-profit organization.
Organic Pest Control for a Vegetable Garden
by C. Colston Burrell howstuffworks
VFNT Seeds: The easiest way to avoid disease problems is to choose varieties of vegetables that are resistant to disease. Over the years, many disease-resistant vegetable varieties have been developed. You'll notice that seed packages and catalog descriptions of some vegetable varieties include V, F, N, and T in the name. These abbreviations indicate disease resistance that has been bred into the variety. V and F stand for verticillium and fusarium wilts, which are fungi that cause tomato plants to turn yellow, wilt, and die. N indicates nematodes tolerance. Nematodes are tiny parasitic worms that cause knots on stems and roots of vegetables. Tobacco mosaic virus, indicated by a T, affects foliage by yellowing and curling; it also causes severe root damage.
Grow Your Own: Starting a Vegetable Garden
by Sarah Kinbar 6/9/24 NewHomeSource
Build or assemble a raised bed. An in-ground garden is good, too, but a raised bed means you don’t have to spend much time improving your soil. The easiest way to make a raised bed is a no-nails solution: The M-Brace — a product developed by a teacher in California — consists of four corner brackets that hold your wood planks together. You can also make a raised bed by using the traditional screws and wood. If you do this, make sure to use untreated wood to prevent leaching of chemicals into your soil. Other options for making a raised bed include bricks, galvanized steel containers and pretty much anything that will hold soil and that was not treated with chemicals.
Remember to place your raised bed in an area where it will get sun all day. Partial shade is less than ideal for vegetables and will decrease your harvest and prevent some plants from growing. Vegetables actually need a minimum of six hours of direct sun to thrive.
How to Farm Organically
by Steve Masley 25/11/25 wikiHow
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, "Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain, and enhance ecological harmony." If you want to farm organically on your own time, the process is time intensive and requires a lot of research and dedication. However, if you love the idea of making your own environmentally stable farm, the effort will be worth the reward.
Organic Indoor Gardening
by KarenJ43 in LivingGardening AUTODESK Instructables
Using organic soil and heritage seed, they are started only with hydrogen peroxide instead to water to give them a jump start.
Healthy Soil and How to Make It
by Colleen Vanderlinden 19/3/24 the spruce
Healthy soil is essential for growing plants, a lawn, and trees; no matter what soil you start with, you can make it healthy. It involves more than buying a bag of fertilizer and spreading it around. It includes knowing more about the soil, pH, organic content, composition, and changes you can make. Healthy soil makes plants less prone to pest and disease issues and grow and look better.
How to Start a Vegetable Garden in 9 Easy Steps
by Marie Iannotti 17/9/22 the spruce
If you've never gardened with vegetables before, you are in for a treat on many levels. Growing great-tasting vegetables and staying ahead of problems does take a little knowledge and effort, but the following lessons will get you comfortably up and running in no time.
The rest you'll learn as you go, which is the real thrill of gardening: overcoming unexpected obstacles and ending the season with a hearty harvest. You literally get to eat the fruits of your labor!
66 Things You Can Grow At Home: In Containers, Without a Garden
by Rachel Cemansky howstuffworks
Growing your own food is exciting, not only because you get to see things grow from nothing into ready-to-eat fruits and veggies, but you also don't have to worry about the pesticides they might contain, and you definitely cut down on the miles they—and you—have to travel.
As it turns out, with pretty minimal effort, anyone can be a gardener. My boyfriend and I are essentially first-timers this season and so far have the beginnings of strawberries peeking out, tomatoes are on their way, the basil's about ready for a big batch of pesto, and once the last frost hits, the peppers, kale, spinach, chard, and mesclun will be on their way, too. All on a tiiiny little terrace (with the help of a little DIY carpentry).
Organic Window Gardening
by dyzi in Living AUTODESK Instructables
I wanted to try growing organic herbs on the window, but realized that hydroponic system was too much for me to build and maintain. I did not want to experiment with water filled containers hanging over electrical heater, which is right under my window. Instead, I decided to go for "in-soil" method. I am using various plastic containers from produce, and seltzer bottles as pots.
Materials purchased so far are: Untreated wood planks and screws for shelves Jiffy Windowsill greenhouses Miracle-Gro Organic soil mix Heirloom and organic seeds from Botanicalinterests.com
5 Mistakes Gardeners Make in Their Vegetable Gardens (and How to Fix Them)
by Ashley Chalmers 17/6/23 the spruce
Growing a vegetable garden, especially for the first time, can be downright intimidating. Whether you are concerned about space, soil, or planting techniques, there are so many variables to consider that even the most experienced gardeners will admit it: they sometimes make mistakes.
How Often to Fertilize Your Veggie Garden—The Rules Gardeners Swear By
by Mallory Carra 19/6/25 the spruce
It takes a lot of care to get your vegetable garden from seedlings to harvest, especially when it comes to fertilizing the plants throughout their growth cycle. Of course, different types of vegetable plants will require specific kinds of feed at certain times, but it's good to get a sense of the frequency.
So, how often should you fertilize your veggie garden? We spoke to gardening experts on how to make sure your plants are getting all the nutrients they need to grow healthy produce, but also how not to overdo it, too.
How to Choose Organic Gardening Supplies
by Megaera Lorenz, PhD 22/11/25 wikiHow
Organic gardening supplies are made using natural materials and environmentally sustainable production methods.[1] Many home and garden supply retailers offer a variety of organic and environmentally friendly gardening supplies, from fertilizers and seeds to planters and tools. Before purchasing supplies, familiarize yourself with organic certifications and labels.
Caring for a Vegetable Garden
by the Editors of Publications International, Ltd. howstuffworks
The benefits of a well-maintained, weed-free garden are immeasurable. Vegetables that have to compete with weeds for water and nutrients become frail and sickly; weeds can also harbor diseases and insect pests. These articles will show you how to maintain a clean, healthy garden. The end result will be great vegetables as well as a feeling of accomplishment.
Talking organic gardening, compost (and rats!) with Christy Wilhelmi
by Lisa Boone 11/4/13 Los Angeles Times
In other words, she shared a few things not detailed in “Gardening for Geeks,” which carries the breath-defying subtitle, “DIY Tests, Gadgets and Techniques That Utilize Microbiology, Mathematics and Ecology to Exponentially Maximize the Yield of Your Garden.” The book teaches just about everything you need to know to grow your own organic food, but thanks in large part to the Spreecast audience who chimed in, we got some interesting new advice. You can listen to our chat or read this recap of highlights from our conversation:
Study: Organic Farming Is More Profitable Than Conventional
by TOM PHILPOTT 4/6/15 MotherJones
The authors crunched data from 44 studies involving 55 crops grown on five continents over 40 years and found that organic farming is somewhere between 22 percent and 35 percent more profitable for farmers than conventional. The reason: the higher price farmers get when they sell certified-organic crops. This “premium,” as it’s known, stands at around 30 percent, and stayed roughly equal over the four-decade period, the authors report.
Why I Want Some 'Pests' in My Organic Garden
by Elizabeth Waddington 24/1/23 Treehugger
In my article on organic gardening mistakes, I spoke about how it is a mistake to try to eliminate pests entirely. And as a continuation of that article, today I thought I would share some examples of pests I have in my organic garden and delve a little deeper into why I want these creatures around.
Talking about "pests" can be misleading, since, like the term "weeds", it categorizes certain species into an undesirable group. But while these species can be problematic at times, it is important not to become too black and white in your thinking or to view these creatures as enemies.
How to Garden Through Climate Change
by Naomi Starkman September 1, 2022 CIVIL EATS
I think for gardeners, no-dig or no-till, as you refer to it, has its benefits. Every time you put your fork in that ground and pull up soil, you’re exposing it to oxidization, and that carbon just evaporates. For me, [not disturbing the soil] is capturing that carbon, and putting the layer of compost or mulching material on the surface of that soil protects the soil through the winter months. At the moment, we’ve got a heatwave—it’s about 32°C (89°F)—and [that layer of material] is protecting my soil.
Organic Yard and Garden Resources
Sierra Club does not endorse specific brands, however, on this site we share products our members have found locally and are using, as well as links to help you in your search for resources.
5 Things Sustainable Gardeners Should Never Do
by Elizabeth Waddington 15/9/21 Treehugger
Many people are trying to garden in a more sustainable way. Often we focus on what we should be doing. Sometimes, however, it can be helpful to identify the things that we should not be doing. This can lead us to avoid doing harm inadvertently as we work toward a greener future.
For those who are newly embarked on this journey, I thought it might be helpful to go back to basics, talking about five things that those who wish to become sustainable gardeners should never do.
Want a better organic garden? Call out the soil-critter army
by Robert Lalasz 19/5/11 Grist
First off, they are the Earth’s natural recyclers — decomposing complex substances into smaller compounds that can be used by plants. They do this by producing enzymes — special chemical juices that break things down. Some of these enzymes are like guided missiles with a very specific target. Others are more general and work like a wrecking ball to quickly dismantle large particles. Decomposition in soils is a highly sophisticated, active process, and bacteria and fungi control how it happens.
The Importance of Persistence in Sustainable Gardening
by Elizabeth Waddington 28/3/23 Treehugger
Being persistent is not always seen as a desirable attribute. Sometimes, those who are persistent are seen as being like a dog with a bone that they just won't give up. Some mistake the concept of persistence with that of pushiness. They think that giving in can lead to a more harmonious existence.
I would not for a second suggest that we should cling doggedly to certain ideas or practices that simply do not work or do not fit our lives, nor that we should hammer home our own points of view without listening to other peoples'.
The use of sulfur in organic farming may be “natural,” but it’s not harmless
Sulfur doesn’t act as a pesticide until it becomes sulfur dioxide — the very same gas listed under California’s Proposition 65 as a reproductive toxicant and by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a criteria air pollutant. Exposure is linked to asthma, lung irritation, and risks to fetal development. And unlike many synthetic pesticides, sulfur dioxide has no known safe threshold. Harm has been observed at concentrations below 1 part per million.
Regenerative Organic Farming: A Solution to Global Warming
Rodale Institute’s Farming Systems Trial® (FST) is the longest-running side-by-side comparison of organic
and conventional farming systems in the U.S. and one of the oldest trials in the world. It has documented the benefits of an integrated systems approach to farming using regenerative organic practices. These include cover crops, composting and crop rotation to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide by pulling it from the air and storing it in the soil as carbon. Results from these practices—corroborated at other research centers that include University of California at Davis, University of Illinois, Iowa State University and USDA Beltsville, Maryland, research facility—reiterate the vast, untapped potential of organic agricultural practices to solve global warming
Tips for Converting Small Farms to Organic Production
by Elizabeth Waddington 6/6/23 Treehugger
Many farmers are well aware that organic farming is a good thing to do. But knowing that something is right and actually implementing it fully are two very different things. Many farmers, even those who are sympathetic to the ideas we espouse and have a favorable option of organic production, may struggle to see how it is actually real-world feasible to make the switch.
7 No-Cost Ways to Grow More Food From Your Garden
by Sami Grover 15/2/21 Treehugger
When I wrote a post about products that help promote soil biodiversity, some commenters were skeptical about commercial products that are shipped long distances with all the packaging and waste that goes with them.
They may have a point. After all, the secrets of healthy soil usually start at home.
What Most People Get Wrong About Organic Pest Control in the Garden
by Elizabeth Waddington 17/7/23 Treehugger
What is more, if we eradicate pests entirely, we risk creating a vacuum in which more pests will come to fill. And when the pests in question are gone, this will mean fewer of the predators that keep their numbers in check. So when the pests inevitably return, their population can boom, and the problem can be worse than ever.
Instead of trying to eradicate particular pests, we should instead be thinking about how to repel, confuse, distract, or redirect a particular species so that they do not decimate our crops or favorite plants.
Beyond Organic: Carbon Farming Is a Pathway to Climate Stabilization and Resilient Soils
by Derek Markham 22/2/21 Treehugger
Addressing the climate crisis calls for an 'all of the above' approach to reducing carbon emissions and increasing carbon sequestration, and although many of us are inclined to supporting organic farming practices, it's high time we started focusing on carbon farming practices as well. Organically grown food, while a preferable choice for green shoppers in grocery stores and farmers markets, isn't necessarily the same thing as food grown using smart carbon farming practices, and though the two aren't mutually exclusive, demand for organics is driven more by marketing, while the other is still a bit of a mystery to the average person.
Beat Blight and Other Fungal Problems in an Organic Garden
by Elizabeth Waddington 19/7/22 Treehugger
Blight is one of the most serious common fungal problems that you might encounter in an organic garden. So, how should you deal with this and other fungal problems? As a garden designer and consultant, I am often asked how to deal with this issue. The answer, as with so many things, is that prevention is better than a cure.
Organic farming is great, but it’s not Jesus
by Nathanael Johnson 29/5/14 Grist
I have a pretty high baseline level of skepticism, and when I’m exposed to rhetorical bombast, it causes those skepticism levels to spike. Objections overflow; doubts seep from my pores. It’s an allergic reaction. So this line, the first sentence in the Rodale Institute’s new white paper on the carbon-capturing potential of organic farming, gave me a light rash:
We are at the most critical moment in the history of our species.
7 Gardener-Approved Must-Haves to Grow Your Own Food
by Novella Carpenter 30/4/18 Sierra
In uncertain times, a garden can feel like a sanctuary. It doesn't matter if you have a windowsill planter, a plot in a community garden, or a backyard orchard—growing your own organic fruits and vegetables is a small but tangible way to bypass Big Ag and create habitat for butterflies, bees, and birds. Gardening also nurtures the gardener: Studies show that inhaling Mycobacterium vaccae, a common soil microbe, can ease depression. Here are some tried-and-true tools to aid your earthly endeavors.
Organic agriculture: deeply rooted in science and ecology
by Eliot Coleman 21/4/11 Grist
Coleman’s Four Season Farm: Start with biodiversity and well-nourished soil, add some appropriate technology, then harvest lots of healthy food. Photo: Barbara DamroschOrganic farming is often falsely represented as being unscientific. However, despite the popular assumption that it sprang full born from the delusions of 60s hippies, it has a more extensive, and scientifically respectable, provenance. If you look back at the first flush of notoriety in the 1940s, the names most often mentioned, Sir Albert Howard and J. I. Rodale, rather than being the initiators, were actually just popularizers of a groundswell of ideas that had begun to develop some 50 years earlier in the 1890s.
Organic Farming: History, Timeline, and Impact
by Rebecca Clarke 14/10/21 Treehugger
Organic farming refers to a method of agriculture that uses fertilizers made from animal and plant wastes and other biological materials. Recognizing the environmental harm of traditional farming, which used chemical pesticides and fertilizers, scientists saw that farming conditions could benefit from the use of animal manures, crop rotation, cover crops, and natural pest controls. Today, organic food has grown in popularity, especially among consumers who are concerned with the potential negative effects of pesticides, GMOs, and hormones.
Organic farming is so much harder than just getting stoned and picking tomatoes
by Nathanael Johnson 24/6/14 Grist
A. Well, it will one day, but don’t hold your breath. That title came from the first essay I wrote about the farm. I just wanted to get across how much you struggle, how much of yourself you pour into a farm. And ultimately the farm dies. Ultimately there’s only so much you can do. Because I’ve watched my dad my whole life completely invest all of his being into this farm, and every year it dies on him. And every time he’s sort of shocked, like ‘Oh my God, really? It didn’t all work out somehow?’
We don't have enough organic farms. Why not?
by Rachel Cernansky 20/11/18 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
It hasn’t been an easy switch. He’s navigated challenges through trial and error because—despite the growth of organic agriculture—there isn’t a mentor or a playbook to follow. On a conventional farm, he says, “I can hire sprayers to come out and spray our whole farm within a day, and then come and spread the nutrients, the fertilizer. I can’t do that with organic.”
These Are the Most Common Mistakes Gardeners Make in Organic Pest Control
by Elizabeth Waddington 21/7/22 Treehugger
Gardening organically is one of the most important things to do if you want to make sure that you are living sustainably and doing the right thing in your outside spaces. Organic gardening means avoiding the use of harmful synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides; however, in an organic garden, avoidance of these harmful elements is just the beginning.
Why We Should Embrace Regenerative Gardening
by Elizabeth Waddington 12/4/21 Treehugger
Over time, land has been degraded by harmful human practices. Regenerative agriculture sets out to right these wrongs through holistic land management. It involves maximizing natural photosynthesis in plants to sequester carbon and protect the soil. It is about boosting biodiversity, managing water wisely, and growing healthy soil, which leads to healthy plants, which leads to healthy people. The ideas are simple, but the impacts are immense.
Organic farming sucks (up carbon)
by Nathanael Johnson 12/6/13 grist
We’ve known for a while now that organic agriculture is good for the climate: It does a better job at grabbing carbon from the air and turning it into soil than industrial agriculture, which often does just the opposite.
9 Products That Help Gardeners Create Healthy, Organic Soil
by Sami Grover 11/4/13 Treehugger
As every good organic gardener knows, well-managed soil is literally alive with billions of microbes that help to recycle nutrients and keep plants healthy. Maintaining and nurturing that biodiversity is the key to success in sustainable gardening. The products and businesses featured in this slideshow offer a variety of tools to do just that.
Who Invented the Idea of Organic Farming and Organic Food?
by John Platt 5/6/17 Treehugger
For more and more people today, shopping for food involves a stop at the farmers market or the organic produce section of the local grocery store. As a result, sales of organic food rose a healthy 10.2 percent in 2012 and captured 4.3 percent of total food sales, according to the Organic Trade Association. Organic food sales generated a healthy $29 billion last year. That's not bad for an industry that is fairly new: the USDA didn't approve national standards for organic food until 2002.
I AM ORGANIC GARDENING
GROW PURE ORGANIC. IT will be my pleasure to teach you on my gardening channel Located in Zone 6b ( New Jersey ) the BEST way HOW by just using fall leaves, wood chip
, cover crops and worm casting. That is the ONLY things I use in my 22 acre farm and backyard garden IT is knowing HOW the SOIL FOOD WEB works and using what nature uses to recycle life 24/7 & 365 days a year....THANK YOU, Mark
