Organic gardening is an ancient method of cultivation. It�s good for your family as well as your garden. Organic gardening is a less expensive way to grow fruits, vegetables and herbs in such a way that they are as close to nature as possible. It is the practice of growing vegetables, herbs and fruits using only things found in nature. Gardening organically means growing without chemical fertilizers, naturally building the soil to support healthy plant life. It is an evolving science which is considered by its followers to be much more sustainable than gardening with chemicals. Organic gardening is not a fad, nor is it new in any way. Nature always tries to maintain a delicate balance -- organic gardening helps her to achieve this goal.

Composting
Composting develops the biomass (humus) which is the key to organic gardening. It is the breakdown of organic materials, typically in a bin or pile. Compost is a combination of organic matter which has decomposed until it resembles a rich soil. It is NOT gross, rotten, smelly or dirty! Compost is the perfect fertilizer and may be thought of in terms of NPK (nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium) just as any fertilizer.

Speed of composting depends on the balance of materials � if slow, add manure or grass clippings � if too fact, add heavier materials. Composting is the ultimate recycling process, increasing the soil�s ability to retain moisture, providing soil aeration, fertilization, and nitrogen storage. It will begin to heat after two or three days, and should be ready for the garden after two months to one year, depending on the time of year, type of materials added, and skill of the composter. Compost is a beautiful, nutritious food for your plants and the key to a healthy organic garden.

Mulch

Mulching is the practice of adding plant material, such as leaves, dead grass, or shredded bark on top of the soil. Mulching your garden beds serves multiple purposes. It suppresses weeds, conserves water, moderates soil temperature, feeds the soil, prevents erosion and is attractive to boot. Mulch also helps to retain moisture in the soil. Organic mulches such as straw, hap, compost, newspaper or wood shavings will aid in disease prevention by reducing direct contact between soil and the plant.

Weeds
Weeds are any plants that compete with your garden for light, water and nutrients. They also interfere with harvesting and can harbor many diseases. Weeds can, however be useful for an organic garden. They tell a lot about the health of the soil. Weeds can also play a role in natural pest control by fostering predatory insects that eat your pests.

Pests

Pests in your garden are just that: pests. Pest management in the intensive organic garden begins with the soil. Pests are often an indicator of deficiencies and weakened plants. By developing a strong biomass in the soil pests can be diminished so that simple methods like cleaning the plant with a watery solution of soap can be used.

Fertilizers
There are effective organic fertilizers which fill the nutritional requirements of your garden; they also last longer than the nutrients in chemical fertilizers and do no damage to the biomass. Soil test results will tell what you need in terms of pH and the NPK numbers found on the labels of commercial products. Natural products usually do not come with labels but often a little common sense is all you need to use them.

In compost the balance of nutrients is easy to see and control. Whether used in the garden or fields, tests and judgment are needed to know how to adjust this balance. Compost extends the effect of fertilizer by supporting the biomass so that less fertilizer is needed..

Manure is a natural source of nitrogen, while bone meal supplies phosphorous and potassium is found in both these natural fertilizers. Manure is easy to access and enhances the desired growth spurt in your plants. Subsequent soil testing will let you know if you have the balance right, as will the results in your garden.