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