The Benefits of Organic Mulching

What is organic mulching?  Some people get composting and mulching confused as related to growing vegetables organically.  For clarification, composting is the process of turning organic matter into compost.  Mulching, on the other hand, refers to the application of compost or other organic material.  Let's look at some of the benefits, as well as a few don'ts of organic mulching.

Benefits of mulching include:

• cuts down on weed growth
• helps soil maintain nutrients and moisture
• controls temperature of the soil
• raises organic matter volume in the soil

Things to avoid when mulching: 

• fresh sawdust can limit the amount of nitrogen in the soil
• materials that could contain weed seeds, such as fresh grass
• any organic material that is suspected of having toxins
• applying to early in the spring can prevent proper soil heating, wait until the soil is 65 degrees at 4 inches
• getting mulch to close to the stems of plants, 2-3 inches away is a good rule of thumb.

When you are using compost as mulch, it is not necessary for it to be broken down completely.  At the end of your first season, organic mulching should be performed to improve your quality of soil for the next year.  As with any gardening topic, check with local professionals to see exactly what may be best for your area.  Ask for these recommendations when getting your soil tested.  With proper use of mulch, you will find growing vegetables organically to be a more enjoyable experience. 

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What is Organic Compost?

As we are preparing our soil for growing vegetables organically, it is important that we add organic matter to the soil as it is turned.  Organic compost is the most commonly used form of organic matter.  Some gardeners prefer to buy their own compost, while other prefer to make it.  Compost is made from a variety of things. (see below)  Let's look at a few general tips for making your own compost:

• Composting requires proper oxygen.  You should turn your pile 2-3 times a month.
• Moisture is required of effective decomposing.  If there is little rainfall in your area, you should water the pile.  
• Larger materials, such as tree branches, should be shredded.  Smaller particles breakdown at a quicker rate.  
• Temperature plays a key role in material breakdown.  The cooler the weather the slower the process will be.  High temperature also plays a role in destruction of weed seeds and disease.  

Common materials for organic compost include:

• Leaves
• Animal manures
• Grass clippings
• Vegetable scraps
• Tree limbs
• Sawdust
• Coffee grounds

Once compost in ready, it is applied to the area through a process that is called mulching.  Mulching serves several purpose for growing vegetables organically.  We will take a look at mulching in the next article in this series.

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Organic Gardening Soil Preparation: Let's Get Dirty!

So, having had our soil tested, it's time to start our garden soil preparation.  The recommendations of your soil testing site will allow you to properly prep the soil for growing vegetables organically.  It may take a couple of seasons for your soil to reach "ideal" results, so don't give up if the first time or two is not the best.  It does get better!  Here are the general steps involved with prepping the soil:

• Areas with invasive plants should be turned well and all plant matter should be removed.  Additionally, for areas which have hard to control weeds, solarization of soil is an option.
• A "hardpan" is compacted soil that lies a few inches beneath the surface.  These need to be broken up. 
• Soil should be turned 10-12 inches.  Organic matter should be added to the soil as it is turned.  

So what is organic matter?  What does it do?   What is compost?   Organic matter plays two major roles in growing vegetables organically.  It helps to release nutrients within the soil and it improves the water and nutrient holding capacity in the soil.  The next insert in this series we will take a look at one of the most popular sources of organic materials, compost.

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Choosing an Organic Vegetable Garden Location

Having gotten a few of the basics of growing vegetables organically out of the way, it's time for some tips on choosing our vegetable garden location. The location of the garden is going to play a big part in the overall success of the garden.  

•  First, make sure the area is going to get plenty of sunlight. At least 6 hours a day is ideal. If you are planting near the house, the side with southern exposure will work best.

• Make sure the area is a site that will drain well. If the site does not drain well, there are several options available to improve this. Try to avoid planting on an incline. Erosion can ruin your garden. If it comes a big rain right after planting seeds, you run the risk of seeds washing away.

•  Having a water supply nearby is very important.

•  Sites that have excessive weeds, such as kudzu, should be avoided for growing vegetables organically.

•  Fence of the garden area if you have a lot of wildlife in the area. 

So, once you have picked out the spot, have the soil tested, especially if you are just beginning with growing vegetables organically.  Many seasoned organic gardeners are familiar with their vegetable garden location and know how to test their own soil.  I suggest using the nearest county extension office.  You can also use a local gardening center.  I prefer the extension office because they offer the best advice for growing in your area.  Very important:  regardless of where you are getting your soil tested, be sure to tell them that it is specifically for organic gardening.  After soil testing, it will be time to prep the soil for planting.  I will be back in a few days to discuss that a little further.  Until then, happy gardening!

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What are Nematodes? | Where Do I Buy Nematodes?

I remember when I first started growing vegetables organically I kept hearing and seeing the word nematodes.  Funny little word, don't ya think?  I found out that some nematodes are good and some are bad. The good nematodes are a form of organic gardening pesticide.  I was amazed when I found out that you can buy nematodes!  So, what are nematodes?  Nematodes are roundworms and flatworms.

I guess if I really had to think about it, I studied nematodes in high school biology.  I mean I paid attention and got good grades, but I wasn't particularly worried about worms.  A few scientific facts about nematodes:

• They are the largest class of animals, with over 28,000 species.
• 16,000 of these species are parasitic.
• Nematodes are found everywhere, even Antarctica.

So how does all of this relate to growing vegetables organically?  Since nematodes are found everywhere, they are in the soil where we plant our vegetables. Nematodes, such as the cutworms, are predators and prey on garden pests.  Remember, organic gardening is about using our natural resources to grow.  So use those little cutworms, they will enjoy it!  On the other hand, the root-knot nematode spreads disease between plants in the roots.

A few ways to control nematodes are :

• Use parasitic resistant plants.
• Rotate your crops.
• Companion plants, such as marigolds can control nematodes.
• Soil solarization is also a method.
• You can also purchase and grow predatory nematodes.

So there you have it, nematodes in a nutshell. If you have any comments or suggestions, please feel free to leave them.  In addition, I plan to look a little bit deeper at specific types on nematodes in later posts.  Until then, be safe and happy gardening!