Effective Ways To Make Your Garden More Organic

Every gardener should aim to create a natural and organic home garden, but making this dream a reality isn’t always easy. Fertilizers, pest control products, and even potting soil often contain chemicals and other unhealthy man-made ingredients. While natural gardening isn’t always simple, there are many ways you can create a more organic garden in your yard this year.

To make your garden more organic, start a compost pile and use natural ingredients to boost soil nutrients. Opt for natural pest control methods, introduce earthworms and beneficial insects. Group companion plants together, purchase organic seeds and plants, and incorporate local and native species in your garden. Use natural fertilizers, organic mulch, and avoid using cheap plastics whenever possible.

An organic garden has many benefits. They help foster a healthier ecosystem, benefit the environment, and mean the vegetables and herbs you grow will be healthier to eat. It might take a little more work to make your garden more natural, but it’s worth it. If you’re interested in creating an organic garden, then read the easy-to-implement tips below.

14 Ways To Create A More Organic Garden

1. Start Composting

Composting is one of the best ways to make your garden and household more organic. When you make your own compost, you have complete control over what goes into it. Some composts have additives that make your soil less natural. When you use organic matter, you create a nutrient-rich additive you can add to your soil once the compost is ready. Not only is a compost pile a great way to make a garden more organic, but it will also make your home more eco-friendly.

2. Use Natural Pest Control

Pesticides are often what turn an organic garden into a chemical-laced one. Modern pesticides are often highly effective, but they also contain man-made chemicals that can be toxic. If you want your garden to be more organic, stop using harsh pesticides. Instead, opt for natural pest control methods. There are many ways you can keep bugs away such as hand-picking larger pests, using natural DIY sprays, sprinkle diatomaceous earth on the soil, and more. 

3. Purchase Certified Organic Seeds 

Shopping for organic products is one of the first ways you can ensure a more natural garden this year and that includes purchasing organic seeds. You can find organic seeds in nearly every garden supply store. They are sometimes a bit more expensive than non-organic versions, but the price difference is minimal. By starting off your garden with an organic product, you are setting the stage for a more natural garden overall.

4. Buy Natural And Organic Mulch

You might think that mulch is naturally organic. While some types of mulch are completely natural, many varieties contain chemicals and dyes. Mulch and its ingredients slowly leach into the soil, which means dyes and chemicals from enhanced mulch eventually end up in your plants. Always use natural or certified organic mulch. Whenever possible, create your own mulch using needles, bark, and other natural substances.

5. Introduce Worms And Beneficial Insects

When you decide to stay away from chemicals, you need to find creative ways to boost your garden’s productivity. Luckily, nature can provide you with living helpers to ensure your garden flourishes. There are several insects, including ladybugs, that can pollinate your garden and keep pests away. Earthworms are another great creature to add to your garden. They improve aeration and soil drainage, helping keep roots healthy.

6. Fight Weeds Naturally

Some gardeners use herbicides and store-bought weed killers to keep weeds at bay. While this certainly saves time and energy, it can pump chemicals into the soil and cause serious harm to your garden’s ecosystem. Instead of using herbicides and other weed killers, try natural weed control methods. Organic mulch is a great option, but nothing beats pulling weeds yourself. It takes time and energy, but weeding your garden is a necessary labor of love if you want to maintain an organic garden.

7. Choose Organic Fertilizer Over Chemical Versions

Plants need food to thrive. Fertilizing your garden is essential to yield the best results, but many fertilizers have ingredients you can’t pronounce that were created in a laboratory. Instead, choose certified organic fertilizers, which are incredibly effective. While organic fertilizers are a bit more expensive, if you combine this food with your natural compost, you won't spend a fortune feeding your plants.

8. Use Natural Products To Boost Nutrients In Soil

As your garden grows, there are many natural household items you can add to boost its health. Organic coffee grounds, tea, egg shells, and banana peels are just a few items you can fold into your garden’s soil to boost nutrients. Best of all, this household waste won’t cost you any extra money.

9. Group Companion Plants Together

Part of building an organic garden is creating a symbiotic relationship between plants. Companion plants are a great example of plants working together to thrive without the need for chemicals. Find species that help each other out so you are less reliant on fertilizer and pest control. Companion plants make your life easier, and also strengthen a garden’s overall ecosystem.

10. Rotate Crops For Soil Health

As you become more of an organic gardener, consider crop rotation, especially if you have more than one garden bed. Crop rotation is a natural practice that gardeners have used for centuries. It reduces pest risk, improves soil health, and prevents nutrient depletion. 

11. Add Specific Plants To Keep Pests Away

One way to naturally curb pests in your garden is to introduce plants that repel them. To ensure animals and insects don't destroy your garden, several popular plant species are effective at repelling these pests. Some great plants to add to a garden to repel pests include lavender, marigolds, rosemary, and citronella. 

12. Incorporate Local And Native Plants

As you plan your organic garden, incorporate as many local and native plants as possible. When you have plants that grow naturally in your environment, you not only increase the likelihood of high yields, but also ensure your garden mimics its natural surroundings. Making your garden reflect the surrounding nature attracts pollinators and helps create a balanced and thriving local ecosystem.

13. Avoid Using Cheap Plastics

While some plastics can help a garden thrive, you should avoid plastics whenever possible. Cheap plastics, in particular, can make your garden less organic. Over time, plastics can leach chemicals, which wind up in your soil and then in your plants. Find natural alternatives to plastic as you strive to build and maintain an organic garden.

14. Create An Organic Shopping List And Stick To It

Now that you know the best ways to build and maintain an organic home garden, the next step is to create a shopping list. Forming a detailed organic shopping list will keep you focused and prevent you from purchasing chemical-filled products. You can also check online retailers, as several companies specialize in organic gardening and offer products that make it even easier to build an organic garden at home.

Wrapping Up Ways To Create A More Organic Garden This Year

As you plan your garden this year, consider taking a more natural approach. Organic gardens are good for plants and the ecosystem, and they make vegetables and herbs healthier to eat. Some of the most effective ways to make your home garden more organic include using homemade natural compost, buying organic seeds and seedlings, and opting for natural pest control methods rather than chemical-filled pesticides.

Avoid using cheap plastics in your garden whenever possible, and use natural organic mulch with zero additives. Introduce beneficial organisms, such as earthworms and ladybugs, and try to plant local, native species. Pull weeds instead of using harmful herbicides, and group companion plants together to promote a symbiotic garden.

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