For your own patch of green

All those organic vegetables, fruits and flowers can be home grown. Go natural by building your very own organic garden!


So what exactly is an organic garden? It’s a space where you can grow fruits, vegetables and flowers without the use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides. Banishing bugs and weeds, fertilising plants — everything is accomplished through practices in harmony with nature rather than challenging it.

Result? Foods that are superior in quality and rich in nutrition as well as economical. And, you needn’t spend on chemical fertilisers and pesticides. They don’t even need much space at home.

A few square feet of sunny space, a window-box or even some containers will suffice. It’s wise to start the experiment on a small scale. A 4’x4’ garden is usually recommended for beginners. Subsequent expansion is an open option. Determine the dimension based on your requirements. Do you want your garden to be a regular and full-fledged food-provider for your family? Or, will it be an occasional contributor? The most constrictive factor is, of course, the space available. Availability of at least half a day’s sunlight, easy access to water and convenience of draining (particularly for herbs and vegetables) are essential to build an organic garden at home. If it’s a decorative bed, check if it is possible to locate it, so as to be visible from indoors too.

As for the soil, it has to be tested for toxins, especially in urban areas. The soil’s healthy look is often deceptive, more so in areas with an industrial past. Setting out to organically grow vegetables in soil containing lead, mercury, cadmium or zinc could be self-defeating.

A soil test might help

A soil test also reveals mineral deficiencies, if any, besides containing the key to rectify it. Once you’re certain about its suitability, clear the area completely of weeds, grass, gravel, rocks, existing plants, etc. Next, add organic matter to enrich the soil minus the fertiliser use. Compost is your primary assistant in this task. Make a compost pile using organic material like fallen leaves, grass clippings, kitchen waste among other similar materials.

Avoid meat, flesh, bones, faeces, large quantities of watery fruits or vegetables and cooked food. To add to it, oily or greasy matter to your heap.

They are organic, but spell disease and attract pests. Adding compost, bolsters absorption of the soil’s nutrients, strengthens the root system and more evenly distributes air and water.

Now, choose disease-resistant varieties of seeds or saplings that aren’t genetically-modified. Those from nurseries may have been grown by applying conventional fertilisers and pesticides, traces of which will disappear soon. Though they may show signs of stress in the new chemical-free environment, they’ll eventually settle down.

Spacing without rows curbs weed or fungal growth. Dig a hole that’s as deep as the root-ball and at least double the width, for planting. Supply your garden with a three-inch layer of organic mulch to help retain moisture and curb weed-proliferation. Prepare it from hay, chopped leaves or grass clippings. Bark mulch, however, absorbs too much nitrogen and invites termites. Water your plants according to requirements of individual varieties.

De-weeding is important

Eliminate weeds by carefully uprooting them by hand. Also, regular snipping off of weeds’ green portions discourages speedy revival.

When it comes to pests, pick them by hand and kill them. Or, spray them away with water or natural, home-made repellents. The idea should be to create conditions that lure helpful birds and bees.

In addition, remove diseased foliage fallen fruits. Remember, early detection of problems is the key to a healthy organic garden.