Gardening with Nature

Healthy Soils - Healthy Foods - Healthy Families - Healthy Homes

Like other gardeners in your area and beyond, you may enjoy the beauty and bounty that a garden provides but do you ever wonder about the effects and impact of garden chemicals on your soils? Many garden products developed in the last several decades contain toxic ingredients that fight nature rather than work with it, altering a garden’s natural balances.

A growing body of knowledge from various studies is providing increasing attention to the adverse effects of garden chemicals on human health. This is a serious issue and we need to change the way we care for our gardens and soils. The increasing use of insecticides, herbicides and other such chemicals is harmful to humans and animals and also pollutes the environment with excess pollutants often ending up in our precious waterways.

Times are, thankfully, now changing. Whether working in the garden for survival,as a hobby or as a profession, anincreasing number of people are seeking ways to grow and maintain their gardens effectivelyand sustainably. From using compost and mulch to watering wisely and reducing reliance on harmful chemicals, more and more people are preferring to garden with nature and are gaining the benefits of their changed practices and getting results. Here are five simple steps you can take to work with nature in your Garden. If you maintain your garden’s natural balance, you will have healthier plants and fewer pest problems. This means less time and effort in the long term.

Building Healthy soils with Composted manures and Mulch

Soil is alive, and soil life matters. A teaspoonful of healthy soil contains billions of beneficial soil organisms. They improve soil structure and recycle nutrients. They also store water for plants and protect plants from pests and diseases.

Selecting the right Plants for your Garden

Get to know your garden. Areas of shade, wet or dry soils, will affect which plants will grow well. Choose plants that are likely to thrive in these different conditions. Pick plants that resist insects and diseases. Group plants by knowing their needs for water, sun and soil.

Understanding the needs for watering

Many plant problems are caused by overwatering. Water plants deeply to promote deep roots. Then let the surface of the soil partly dry out before watering again.

Learning about your Garden Pests and Insects

Most of the bugs in your garden may actually be beneficial and helpful. Killing them all would eliminate the beneficial insects too, making the problem worse.

Practicing Natural Lawn Care

People often use chemicals to treat bugs and diseases on their lawn that can give damaging effect to beneficial bugs too and thus disrupting natural balance. Excess water can also create diseases and bugs, in addition to polluting ground water. Instead, mowing high and mowing regularly can keep your lawn healthy.