Foundations of Organic Gardening Archives

Critter Protection – The Two Biggest Pests – Foundations of Organic Gardening Info Series

Container Garden on a desk away from Deer

The two biggest issues people have gardening in this area are deer and Home Owner’s Associations (HOAs). You laugh, but it is true.

Honestly the two best ways to keep deer out are:

1. Fence your garden
2. Container garden on a deck or patio deer don’t frequent.

There are other ways to keep deer away, most involving something pretty smelly. You can buy a predator animal urine product or make your own smelly stuff with rotten eggs and milk, garlic and hot pepper. They do work and all these wash off in rains, so remember to reapply least those deer take advantage of a rainy night.

And if your HOA bans you from growing your own food, join them, get on the gardening committee (or make one) and be the person who helps them change their tune. It can be a rewarding community experience if you enter the process in the disposition of prior unity vs. opposition.

Want info on dealing with other critters, we cover allot more in the Foundations of Organic Gardening Course.

3 Garden Planning Factors – Foundations of Organic Gardening Info Series

Debby WardLeave a comment

There are many factors to consider when planning your garden, but here are three basic ones to get your started:

Garden beds on contour — Also consider your slope and build plan to use the contour of your property.

1. What do you like to eat. If you grow something you like to eat, and want to eat, you’ll be more motivated to take care of it, which translates into a more successful garden

2. How much space do you want to use. I tell people to start small even if you want to transform your entire property into food production. If so, do a whole property design, but then prioritize what order you want to create each area in. You can have it all, but take it a chunk at a time

3. How much light do you have in the space you want to use. Really knowing how much light you have in each area is critical to successful garden design, especially if you want sun loving plants like tomatoes and berry bushes for example. Cool weather crops that like shade in summer are easier because you have more options if you have shady areas. Knowing how much sun you have in each area of your space allows you to be more successful and not waste time trying to grow something that needs at least 6 hours of sun in a place that doesn’t get over 3 hours. Be realistic and grow what you can be successful growing, your rewards will be greater.

Want more ? Our Foundations of Organic Garden Course is packed with workshops and worksheets to help you.

Foundations of Organic Gardening Info Series – Start with the Soil

Debby WardLeave a comment

Garden with carrots, beets, sunflowers, peppers, tomatoes and pole beans — Sunny Summer Organic Garden

The literal foundation of your organic garden is healthy living soil that supports billions of organisms who live synergistically. They create an environment that grows healthy plants for you.

But just as there are loads of creatures in healthy living soil, there are other aspects that make a thriving garden. Each post in this series will focus on one Foundational aspect of organic gardening. If you are interested in more, consider taking our Foundations of Organic Garden Course

So how do you build healthy living soil ? From the top down. What does that mean ? On top of the ground, you add carbon rich stuff, like paper and cardboard, as well as leaves and mulch that will decompose into black dirt.

Also add compost and rock dust. All this can be mixed into the native soil and you are on your way ! The compost adds a variety of nutrients and the rock dust re-mineralizes the soil.

Check back each week in July for an Organic Garden Foundation info post.

Happy Gardening !