The Journey to Growing Organic
12 Sep, 2024
Soil
The best place to start your organic gardening journey is with the soil! Focus on enriching your soil with organic matter such as Kings Compost and Kings Sheep Pellets. A teaspoon of healthy garden soil can be home to a billion beneficial bacteria, thousands of protozoa, and endless fungal strands.
There are many benefits to having a dynamic ecosystem in your garden, from improved plant nutrition and increased moisture retention, to resilience against pests and diseases. Practice crop rotation and companion planting to maintain soil health and reduce pests. Natural pest control, such as introducing beneficial insects and using organic sprays, helps keep your garden thriving without using chemicals.
Composting
Creating your own compost is a great way to use kitchen and garden scraps, turning them into valuable organic matter for your garden. Choose a sunny spot for your compost bin or pile, layering green materials like veggie scraps and grass clippings with brown materials such as leaves and paper. To speed up the decomposition process, turn your compost regularly to aerate it. In a few months, you’ll have compost ready to enrich your garden beds! If you’re short on space, try a bokashi bin under your sink.
Worm Farms
Worm farms are not only great for organic gardening, but they are also lots of fun to work on with the kids. Choose a worm farm kit from your local Kings, and place in a cool, shady area with a bedding layer. Feed with small amounts of kitchen scraps like veggie peels and coffee grounds. As the waste is processed by the worms, worm castings and worm tea are created. Before adding to your garden, dilute the worm tea with water at a ratio of about 1:10 and apply to your plants' soil or as a foliar spray. Lightly fork in the vermicast solids while preparing your garden beds for another nutrient-packed boost. Worm castings and worm tea are highly beneficial for plant growth and enhancing the soil.