Organic Vegetable Gardening Tips

by Kelly Richardson, All About Lawns Columnist

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January 24, 2007

There's nothing quite like the taste of fresh tomatoes and crisp green lettuce from an organic garden. I'm talking about a garden with no pesticides and no growth hormones. Organic gardening is a lot easier than you might think. Just follow these helpful tips and you'll soon be enjoying food the way nature intended.

The term "organic" refers to food that has been grown simply, healthfully, and close to nature. The fruits and vegetables you buy from your chain grocery store have most likely been treated with chemical pesticides and growth hormones that you probably don't want to ingest on a frequent basis. For truly fresh, untreated fruits, vegetables, and herbs, organic gardening is the way to go. If you love spending time in the garden, you'll love the thought of growing your own healthy food items.

Organic Gardening Basics

Planning. First, determine what you want to grow and how much space you have. It helps to make a gardening diagram and work from that. Finally, determine how much space each vegetable variety needs for growth.
Companioning. Symbiotic relationships exist between vegetables and herbs. Planting like types together increases their ability to thrive. Think basil with tomatoes, roses with garlic, beans with broccoli, and peas with kale.
Care. Your herbs and vegetables need lots of sun and frequent watering. Also, it helps to plant in raised beds to allow for proper drainage. Check with your local greenhouse for raised bed construction ideas for.

When it comes time for gardening actual vegetable types, each has its own unique nuances. Stick to the basic organic gardening rules, and then apply specific treatments to specific vegetables. This will increase your chances of a good harvest.

Vegetable-specific Tips

Okra. Plant okra seeds 1/2 inch deep and 6 inches apart in 30 to 48 inch rows. They are ready to be pulled when they reach about 2 to 4 inches long.
Lettuce. Cool weather and cool soil is the call for lettuce. Plant 1/4 inch deep, 1 to 2 inches apart, in rows spaced 16 to 24 inches apart. Harvest in 90 days.

Your local greenhouse or home and garden center are excellent resources for organic gardening instruction. Check with them before and during your gardening experience for sage advice.

About the Author

Kelly Richardson has obsessive compulsive lawn disorder and is afflicted with the need to share his knowledge with the world. Kelly writes lawn columns for a variety of home and garden magazines and e-zines.

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