Dig Into Organic Gardening

The North Carolina native dutifully logs information about each one, noting the soil they grow in and how they perform. “Plants were always fascinating to me, and organic gardening seemed to have so many benefits for me and the environment. The more I learned, the more I wanted to know.”

Emma O’Neil, head gardener of Garden Organic, in Warwickshire, England, defines organic gardening as working with natural systems, taking into consideration the interdependence of life-forms and using sustainable practices to promote a healthy and productive growing environment with no synthetic chemicals.

An added bonus: Researchers have found that gardening is good for our physical and mental health.

“I just feel really good when I’m digging in the dirt,” Bondurant Bridges says.

Get the lay of the land

Bondurant Bridges is in good company. Gar­den­ing is one of the most popular hobbies for retirees.

But if you haven’t developed your green thumb yet, it’s easy to get started, says Emily Murphy, an organic gardening expert and author of the book Grow What You Love.

“Grow the things you love to cook and eat,” she suggests. “You’ll soon discover that growing some of your own food involves a lot of fun and a lot of learning as you go. Start small and, even with a few plants, you’ll discover that what you receive is greater than your efforts.”

The first step is to plan the garden, maybe even draw it on paper. What size will it be? Will you plant in the ground or in raised beds? Where can you locate the garden that gets 10 to 12 hours of sunlight a day?

Rows should run north to south, ensuring the tallest plants won’t shade others. Also, pick a location where you can easily access water.

Make friends with dirt

The quality and composition of the soil in your garden matters, says Bill Sciarappa, an associate professor with the Rutgers University Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “Test soil drainage by digging a hole 6 to 8 inches deep and filling it with water,” he explains. “If it doesn’t drain in two hours, you’ll have to loosen it up by rototilling or by applying gypsum.”

Bondurant Bridges says she has her soil tested regularly for its nutrient and pH levels. Most states have cooperative extension offices that offer testing services.

For organic gardening it is important to treat the soil following certain guidelines, O’Neil advises, adding that compost is a primary additive.

You can create a compost pile or purchase materials to make one. Compost can include coffee grounds, banana peels, eggshells, shredded leaves, grass clippings, fireplace ashes (in small amounts), and sawdust. You can also add peat moss, cow manure, or purchased bags of potting mix.

Every so often, water your compost and turn it over, Bondurant Bridges recommends. Compost can take two weeks to a year to degrade, but usually takes about a month. When it’s ready, it will feel warm to the touch inside. Then work it into your soil. (Garden Organic offers more advice about creating and working with organic soil.)

Choose your crop

“When you buy the little pots and seedlings from the garden center, don’t worry too much about whether they are organic,” writes Stephanie Rose, an award-winning author of 12 gardening books. “As soon as you put them in your garden, the soil will act as an amazing biofilter. The non-organic elements will filter into the soil quite quickly.”

The decision to start with seeds or small  plants really depends on timing, the kind of plants you are growing, and how much patience you have.

Tomato and pepper plants, for instance, might take a month to produce fruit, so small plants may be more practical. But lettuce and spinach grown from seeds would be ready to harvest in a month, Murphy says.

One gardener’s rule of thumb: Check the seed packet for the length of time it takes the seeds to germinate and become ready to harvest. If the total time is less than two months, grow from seeds; if it’s longer, buy small plants.

Sciarappa recommends planting “companion crops” that support each other. Basil repels certain tomato pests, including moths that produce unfriendly tomato hornworms. And planting a row of garlic can help keep damaging aphids away from your potatoes. (The Farmers’ Almanac offers more information about companion planting at bit.ly/FACompanionPlants.)

Try a model garden with tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, bean varieties, leafy greens, and strawberries, Sciarappa proposes. Mixing different crops in your garden bed also reduces pests.

When you are done planting, don’t forget to mulch! Wood chips, pine needles, or other organic material help reduce weeds, retain moisture in the soil, and decompose to improve the soil.

Sow the benefits

When you taste that first juicy tomato of the summer, take pride in knowing that you grew it yourself and helped nourish your environment. Organic gardening can lower emissions, reduce the risk of pollution in waterways, and capture and store carbon, O’Neil says.

At the end of the growing season, your garden still has more to offer. Bondurant Bridges says she leaves plants to die in the fall so birds can snack on the remains.