When you start your own organic seeds, you'll be certain your garden plants are organically grown. However, using no pesticides, fungicides or chemical fertilizers may mean you'll have to endure less-than-perfect plants, foliage and fruit. If you maintain a good, fertile soil, plant pest- and disease-resistant seeds and water and hoe well, you're likely to enjoy a good crop. Beyond seeds and plants, a key to successful organic gardening is keeping an eye on what's happening in your garden and taking steps to stop pests and disease before they spread too far.
Organic Seeds
Many organic farms and nurseries sell certified organic seeds that have been harvested from organically grown plants. Seed swaps are a common way to acquire organic seeds. Once you've established your organic garden, you can harvest your own seeds and grow your own plants from seed. Choose healthy seeds that are good germinators, such as basil, lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, corn, squash and broccoli. Because you won't be using chemical disease-preventers, be sure your seeds start out healthy. This means using clean and sterile pots.
Plants and Transplants
Some plants don't transplant well. You can purchase certified organic seedlings of these plants, such as melons, cucumbers and eggplants. Buy them in large peat pots that can be planted directly into well-drained, moist soil. Dig a hole that's twice the size of the plant pot and toss a spadeful of well-rotted manure or compost into the hole. Clip off the top of the peat pot that's above the soil to avoid having your water wicked away.
Soil Care
Some plants can change the chemical composition of your soil. Always test your soil before planting your organic garden so you know what plants will do well in which locations. Plants such as clover and alfalfa are good crops to plant in soil that needs nitrogen. They can capture nitrogen from the air and return it to the soil. Plant rye or buckwheat to add potassium to your soil. Don't let weeds gobble up your good nutrients. Weeds can hide and house the insects that can ruin your crop, and they steal nutrients that your plants need from the soil, so weed well and frequently.
Organic Companion Planting
Organic gardens benefit from companion planting, a practice that positions cooperative plants near each other. Some gardeners dot their garden plots with African marigolds, which naturally repel certain insects that can attack vegetables. Native Americans practiced what is known as "Three Sister" organic companion planting, which involved planting a circle of bean seeds around each corn seed they planted. The nitrogen-fixing beans helped feed the corn while they used the stalks for climbing supports. Interplanting large-leaf squash with the beans and corn blocked out the sun and kept the weed population under control.
