Living green in a small island community

Gardening With Nature – A Rewarding Experience

What does living green mean for you? If you live in an apartment and you work long hours as some of us do, it may mean that you are conscientious about using energy saving appliances, turning off lights and appliances when not in use, using reusable bags rather than plastic grocery bags, and ensuring that your coffee is purchased from a fair trade source. However some of us may wish to go further and venture into the realm of gardening organically to produce and consume our own fresh fruits and vegetables.

Some basic facts about plants

The nutrient minerals that are required by plants can be divided into two groups – those needed in large amounts and those needed only in very small amounts. The first group consists of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulphur. In addition, plants obtain carbon from the carbon dioxide in the air, hydrogen from water, and oxygen from both the air and water. In most cases these minerals are found in the soil at sufficient levels for good plant growth. However, often faster and better growth can be obtained by adding these minerals to the soil as synthetic fertilizers, natural compost or farm manure.

For the plant, the source of the minerals does not matter. However, the minerals must be available to the plants. Compost and manure are natural or organic alternatives to synthetic fertilizers. The one main advantage of using compost and manure instead of fertilizer is that they remain in the soil and are available for a longer time.

The use of synthetic fertilizers is much more convenient, but carries a heavy environmental cost.  The production of fertilizers requires the use of expensive fuel, generates a lot of heat, and discharges acidic fumes into the atmosphere. These activities contribute to continuous environmental degradation. Instead of contributing to this degradation, we can do our part by using organic components in our production of food and horticulture.

What is organic gardening?

A simple answer is gardening hand in hand with nature, viewing your garden as a small part of the natural system. This means utilizing materials, which are derived from living things such as compost, mulch and using natural predators to grow plants and control pests and disease, which have little effect on the environment.

Using organic matter to feed the soil

One of the main components of organic gardening is feeding the soil with nutrients so that the plants can get what they need to flourish. These nutrients are found in organic matter, which is decaying plant and animal waste, and includes grass clippings, dried leaves, kitchen waste, and manure from horses, cows and sheep. Organic matter is used as a soil amendment or conditioner and is worked into the soil, or can be used as a top dressing or mulch. Organic matter not only improves soil texture but also attracts living organisms such as earthworms, and microbes, which improve aeration and breakdown chemicals in the organic matter, which are then released to the plants.

Soil rich in organic matter is teeming with organisms that cycle nutrients from soil to plant and back again, providing plenty of nutrients to the plants.

Controlling pests and diseases with organic or natural pesticides

The main control is regular inspection of your garden for signs of infestation and a quick response. Remember that not every insect in your garden is an enemy. There are insects whose presence is beneficial to the plants and others that are just out and out destructive. Consider interplanting your crops to prevent the loss of an entire crop from a predator.

When you spray the garden against insect pests you are also killing the beneficial insects such as the ladybugs and parasitic wasps, which feed on aphids and mealy bugs. Insects, frogs, lizards, garden snakes and birds all contribute to balancing your garden and reducing pest population.  Judging when to use an organic or natural pesticide will come from experience. The garden shops carry a variety of natural pesticides with directions on application methods.

Other aspects of Gardening with nature

Providing a perfect growing climate for your plants will result in healthy plants and abundant food for your table. Here are some things you can do that will contribute to a bountiful harvest:

Select plants that are suited to your site conditions. Do not plant plants, which require full sun light in shady areas. Some plants require a moist environment and others like sandy soil and lots of sunshine. Planted in the right environment your plants will thrive and produce abundantly.

Using a mulch in your garden will control weeds, conserve water, prevent erosion, control temperatures around roots and soil, and most of all feed the plants.

A diverse mix of plants in your garden will attract a variety of insects and reduce the risk of infestation by pests.

Regular maintenance and monitoring of your garden will draw attention to the onset of disease or damage, allowing for the implementing of preventative measures to reduce the risk of major loss.

Organic gardening is a gratifying past time, and is not a complicated exercise. You can practice gardening in any available space, such as a deck, a patio or a small area in the front or back yard. If land area is not available, consider container gardening.  With a little time, patience and access to the Internet, you can provide food for yourself and your family. Let’s start today.

For further information you may go to www.organicgardening.com/