| 1. Water - Over watering and under watering | | | | More fertilizer is not better, even when it |
| are both bad for your plants. Over watering | | | | is organic. Too much can lead to excess plant |
| creates plants with shallow root systems. | | | | growth. The magic comes from creating |
| Without deep root systems your plants will | | | | healthy, balanced soil. |
| suffer (or die) if they aren't watered daily. | | | | |
| Encourage your plants to develop deep roots | | | | A general rule of thumb is to add about 25mm |
| so they can take in more water. | | | | (1inch) of compost to the soil. This should |
| | | | be enough to grow most annual vegetables and |
| Under watering dehydrates your plants. This | | | | flowers. If you are mulching with compost, |
| creates stress and can lead to weakened and | | | | most plants will not need much more in the |
| susceptible plants. Mulching can help with | | | | way of fertilizers. It's like eating right |
| both of these problems. I like to mulch each | | | | and taking vitamins... putting compost in |
| spring - I use pea straw - once I have | | | | the soil is getting the plants to eat right, |
| planted seedlings into my veggie plot. | | | | adding fertilizer is like giving them a |
| | | | vitamin on top of eating right. |
| Water your plants deeply about once a week, | | | | |
| depending on rainfall - more often in really | | | | You may need to use more compost or some |
| hot weather. Make sure the water penetrates | | | | organic fertilizer until you create good |
| to a depth of about 25mm (an inch). | | | | soil. It's a good idea to do a soil test to |
| | | | see if your soil is around the right pH. |
| 2. Mulching - This is a great way to prevent | | | | Without getting technical, no matter what |
| soil erosion, add organic matter to the soil | | | | your soil is like it will benefit greatly |
| and reduce evaporation. However, you need to | | | | with the addition of organic matter. Over |
| leave space around the base of each plant. | | | | time you will achieve the right pH, just by |
| Mulching right up to plant stems encourages | | | | continually adding compost. |
| disease and rot to set in. Leave a 50mm (2 | | | | |
| inches) between the mulch and the stem. You | | | | 5. Failing to plan - Planning is crucial to a |
| don't need to mulch any deeper than 75mm (3 | | | | successful organic veggie garden. You need to |
| inches). | | | | consider the aspect of your plot/s. North |
| | | | facing in the southern hemisphere, South |
| 3. Using inorganic fertilizers - many | | | | facing in the northern hemisphere is best. If |
| inorganic fertilizers are heavy on salts, | | | | your area is windy, you'll need to find |
| discourage (or kill) earthworms and soil | | | | solutions for this too. |
| micro-organisms, and only provide major | | | | |
| nutrients - nor do they feed the soil. The | | | | Having water close by is just as important. |
| nutrients give your plants a quick boost, but | | | | As well as installing an irrigation system |
| the fast, sappy growth is very attractive to | | | | with a timer. It will be the difference |
| pests. You might then be tempted to use | | | | between enjoying your garden and being a |
| pesticides (organic or other). Remember that | | | | slave to it! |
| it is better not to have a pest problem than | | | | |
| try to solve it. | | | | Knowing and catering to the needs of your |
| | | | family will help you decide what to plant and |
| Inorganic fertilizers can contain heavy | | | | how many. |
| metals and other dangerous ingredients. Your | | | | |
| plants will be much happier with natural slow | | | | If you are planting trees and shrubs, check |
| release organic fertilizers and compost. | | | | what their eventual size is going to be. Many |
| These provide the major nutrients as well as | | | | shrubs and trees are difficult to move. Trees |
| trace elements in a form that your plants can | | | | will grow and make shade, so don't forget |
| use over an extended period. By feeding your | | | | they do this and expect your sun loving |
| soil (with compost and organic matter) you | | | | flowers to still thrive in the shade. Trees |
| will provide your plants with long term food | | | | can also grow into power lines, tear up |
| and create a better growing medium. | | | | footpaths and even destroy house foundations |
| | | | and septic tanks. Plan carefully before |
| 4. Overuse of fertilizers - Don't overdo it. | | | | planting big trees. |