Organic Gardening Basics

What is organic gardening? While it may be obvious to most people, organic gardening is the idea of not using any synthetic products, including pesticides and fertilizers. Instead, there are many organic alternatives to synthetic methods, compost instead of fertilizers, or nettle tea spray to combat Aphids. Compost is made up of organic matter, like dying plants, grass clippings, dried or dead leaves, kitchen scraps, to manures and fish heads. Compost can be used to feed in two main ways, either mixing it with the soil, or spreading it over the top of the soil for existed plants or gardens. Compost not only feeds the plants, but also conditions the soil in different ways, such as creating better aeration or attracting soil organisms to create more nutrients in the soil. As far as organic pest control goes, you have to realize in gardening that you will almost always come across bugs, especially outside. Your first defense should be inspection, visual damage and of course seeing the pests will be your obvious signs of a pest, but remember, not all pests are bad pests. For example, a preying mantis, known for hanging in one garden for periods of time will take care of some pests, Birds will munch on grubs, and lady bugs love to feast on aphids and spider mites, the pests you can really see, and of course a big helped, Spiders! They will of course spin webs and catch moths, beetles, among many other things.