Vegetable Care

Food Healing: Learn how to Reverse Disease

Vegetable Care

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Getting Started	Heirlooms	Crop Rotation

Choosing Seeds- When possible use good quality organically grown seeds from a reliable source. Organic standards means seeds produced without pesticides or artificial fertilizers. If organic seeds are not available make sure the seeds are not treated with pesticide dressing after harvest.

Some organic vegetables are raised from tubers or offshoots which rarely set seed. Even where seed sowing is possible it may be wiser to buy plants to save time. Some organic vegetables such as asparagus take up to three years to produce.

Design Considerations- - When sowing outdoors seeds may be planted directly where the crop will grow- or in a nursery bed for transplanting later. In cold climates soil can be warmed prior to sowing using dark mulch such as organic black mulch will facilitate faster germination.

Using spacing techniques combined with suitable cultivars and where possible, implementing a bed system of growing will help make the best use of any growing space. Inter planting is a technique of planting small fast growing organic vegetables in rows or batches between larger slower growing plants. Many combinations of plants can be used, but the secondary plant should not be allowed to thrive at the expense of the main plant. Container planting and the utilization of vertical spaces should also be considered to maximize space,

Watering - stress caused by lack of water can cause plants to become more susceptible to pests and disease and reduce yields. Seedlings and transplants should never dry out. Once established, plants should be watered thoroughly but infrequently. This encourages deep rooting. Excessive watering- can reduce the flavor of some organic vegetables such as tomatoes.

Feeding- If the soil has been prepared using organic methods in advance, most crops should need no extra feeding. Long term crops may benefit from mulching with a medium or high fertility soil improver. Remember in organic gardening the soil is fed, not the plant.

Mulching and Weed Control - Mulching bare soil reduces water loss through evaporation and prevents germination of weed seeds. If a medium or high soil improver is used this also adds nutrients to the soil. Weeds compete for light, food and moisture so keep the organic vegetables as weed free as possible. Disturb the soil as little as possible as too much digging can destroy the soil structure. The Natural No-Dig Way is one of the best methods of growing an organic vegetable or flower garden.

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