Organic gardening tips
and techniques for working with nature.
Encourage the balance of nature at all times, and imitate the laws of nature to your benefit. All normal rules for gardening apply, especially the health of your soil! There is no substitute for creating a wonderfully rich microclimate by continually adding organic matter to your soil. This creates a living system that includes microbes to break down the soil, and adds nutrients and nitrogen content. This is the backbone of healthy, disease resistant plants. Lunar planting has been proven to be more effective in non-chemically treated soil.
In order to create a more disease and pest free environment, try to cultivate favorable conditions for beneficial insects, butterflies and bees. Avoid chemical sprays, opting for the least invasive methods of control, such as hand picking pests, or using insecticidal soap, which, although it will kill the good bugs on contact, won't leave harmful residue and lasting effects. Provide crops that offer food and homes. These include many herbs like dill and parsley, yarrow, nasturtium, angelica, evening primrose, baby blue eyes, strawflowers, daisies, cosmos, Queen Anne's lace, even weeds. Let some lettuce, parsley, cilantro or dill go to seed, then scatter the seeds around the garden. This keeps the butterflies happy, providing a continuous supply of food (for both of you!). Bees love borage, oregano and thyme and are necessary for plant pollination. Strive for a balanced ecosystem that keeps itself in check.
Remember to do succession plantings, especially of quick crops like lettuce, bush beans, radishes, spinach, carrots, and beets. That means planting again, as your first crop is reaching maturity. This will keep you in continual harvest during your season.
Stay attuned to the seasons. You can start seeds inside under lights or in a greenhouse, and have them ready to go in the ground when the time and temperature are right. Don't be afraid to plant beyond the usual times if it looks mild, or to use row covers and cold frames to extend the season. Or you may hope for a late warm spell in fall and see if you can get in another crop. Use the microclimates created by overhead cover, ground slope or bodies of water to plant marginal crops that need a warmer spot. Working with the forces of nature tips the balance in your favor.
Use your own judgment when planting by the moon
Life is full, however, and sometimes you just can't plant at the perfect time. You may have to choose if it is best to plant in the correct moon phase, or a preferred sign of the zodiac, as your time allows. Or if you have to plant in the wrong phase, at least give it any advantage possible by working in the fruitful signs. It may be more important to plant before a storm comes, before the plant has outgrown its container or before it is too late in the season. Feel free to use your best judgment.