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Having an organic garden?!?

I want to start my own organic garden, but where should I plant my organic seeds? Probably not in my actual land, since there could be chemicals and pesticides already existing in the soil. Should I just get big planting bins, and plant herbs and lettuces, and maybe some veggies? Or will there not be enough space for a proper root system to form?

Public Comments

1. i suggest using the new soil called "Fresh Madeira" it brings me and my food great pleasure ;)
2. Find a spot with full sun and plant in the soil. yes there may be chemical residues in the soil but with proper organic management and soil building you will in a couple of years get rid of most of that (and who is to say the potting soils won't have such chemicals in them, especially if they have been sitting a parking lot exposed to car exhaust). Organic is great but no need to get all bent out of shape about it. I have a small farm that is on a major federal highway and i know that there is a constant rain of chemicals from the cars. I also know that my organically manage market farm is exposed to agricultural chemical every spring and summer because there are conventional farms all around me. So I do my best to keep my soils healthy, my beneficial insects happy and I do my best and end up with superior food even if it is exposed to some poisons (it can't be helped in our dirty modern world) I say forget the containers (unless you really want to go that way) and plant in the soil, the plants will a lot happier.
3. 1Check online or with a local retail nursery to find out the recommended amount of water needed for your particular plants. Step2Water thoroughly until the ground is saturated. Step3Check to see if there are any areas of your garden that the sprinkler system may not be adequately watering. You'll need to water these areas by hand. Step4Water potted organic plants with 1 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar per gallon of water. Step5Mix 1 oz. of liquid humate or a combination of 1 cup compost tea, 1 oz. liquid seaweed, 1 oz. blackstrap molasses and 1 oz. apple cider vinegar per gallon of water for applying to acidic soil in your garden. You should spray acidic soil two to three times per month. Step6Check the top three to six inches of soil to see if the ground is dry. If it is dry, then it is time to water again. If it is moist, then you need to wait to water. Apple cider vinegar Water hose Liquid humate or compost tea Liquid seaweed Blackstrap molasses Sprinkler system Step1 Sample of smaller tub Buy large storage containers or go to your local nursery for pots formerly used for large trees, most nurseries give away or sell the empties for a couple dollars. Turn container over and drill or punch holes in the bottom with a hammer and screwdriver. Make sure there are enough holes for adequate drainage or your soil will become waterlogged. Number of holes depends on size of container. Step2 Japanese Eggplant Use small rocks or broken pottery to line the bottom about 1-1 1/2" deep and fill the rest of the bin with organic potting soil. Do not add fertilizers until your plants are established. Some gardeners prefer Miracle Grow but bear in mind it is not organic. Step3 Tomatoes Ripening On Vine You can purchase vegetable plants or use seeds that have been started indoors and transplant them to the bins when the seedlings are big enough for outdoor planting. Another option...squeeze seeds out of your favorite organic tomatoes onto a paper towel and let them dry, then bury the paper towel just below the surface of the soil in early Spring...masses of tomatoes! Be sure to mulch around your plants to retain moisture in hotter climates, but don't over do it, just a light layer. Most vegetable do best with regular watering. I recommend a drip system, but if you hand water, try to be consistent in the amount and times, best in early morning. I reside in the hot desert and grow tomatoes, Japanese eggplants, beets, carrots, onions, all kinds of peppers, squash, and herbs...mostly in Spring, although beets and carrots grow year-round as well as rosemary and Italian Parsley. If you live in a hot area with strong mid-day and afternoon sun, you may want take some garden shade fabric and create a screen or lay over the top of your plants to avoid sun scorch. Protect your plants from winds as well. •Tomatoes love fish emulsion as a fertilizer. •To deter aphids from tomatoes, put powdered milk in a cheese shaker and lightly dust the leaves on both sides. If you do get them, a mixture of 1 tsp liquid dish soap, garlic and water sprayed on the leaves in the early morning before sun heats up and burns the leaves will kill the aphids. Sometimes just a good strong blast of water will work as well. •Try to avoid getting water on your tomatoes as it makes the skins tough, just water at the base of the plants. •Tomatoes are prone to large green worms or caterpillars that often show up in early a.m. hours. These can be removed by hand (wear gloves) and destroyed before they eat your plants. One caterpillar can eat a large tomato plant within a few days or stunt its growth, so check regularly. •Never spray household pesticides on the ground where your bins are located, it will absorb upward into the soil. storage containers or empty discarded large tree containers •organic potting soil •small rocks or broken pottery •mulch •cages (for tomatoes, squash, eggplant or other vine growing produce)
4. I would turn the soil over and add some topsoil and other soil additives. As long as you don't add chemicals to the land it should be clean. For a long term soil solution though I would start a vermicompost bin. These will create organic fertilized soil that is the best soil additive I have ever used. It is easier and better than compost. Just follow the directions at the site below. http://www.vcompost.com Your plants will be much happier in the ground and it will actually make the gardening easier since you don't have to worry about root rot and soil moisture levels and rootbound plants. Also after a couple of years of working the land organically will produce a soil that is much better than you could buy in a store and stick in a pot.