Homegrown  vegetables are definitely worth the time and effort and organics are even better. Growing vegetables will reward you with a fresh and tasty supply of your favourite vegetables. You can also have the reassurance of knowing how they were grown without the unnecessary spraying of countless chemicals.

These are some tips to get the best results from growing organic vegetables.

 

Organic Fertiliser

To get the best vegetables you need to feed the growing plants well. Fortunately, there is a range of suitable organic fertilisers such as pelleted chicken manure, well rotted manure and many others. These organic fertilisers also have the benefit of realising the food over a period of time and helping to improve the soil structure.

• Remember, although vegetables benefit from good feeding, it is important that you don’t overfeed.
• The other tip to remember is that to get the best fruits use tomato (potash) rather than nitrogen fertilisers at the appropriate time.

Year Round Cropping Season.

A carefully planned vegetable plot can provide vegetables all year round. Obviously in summer, autumn, it is easier to harvest vegetables, but, don’t forget to grow winter cropping vegetables such as leeks, and purple sprouting broccoli. Fresh vegetables during winter are even more appreciated by the cook!

Make Use of Your Own Compost.

One of the great resources for any gardener is recycling old plants into next years compost heap. Learn how to make and use a good compost heap; it will provide you with a good supply of excellent organic matter. If you continually work on improving the soil, the job of growing vegetables will get easier.

Order some Well Rotted Horse Manure.

If you are taking over a neglected garden or your soil is in poor condition. It is advisable to take in a delivery of some well rotted horse manure. This will provide a long term benefit for the garden and improve the condition of the soil.

Crop Rotation.

Some of the basic principles of gardening have not changed for centuries. Crop rotation is an excellent way of maximising the use of existing space. It helps to revitalise the soil naturally without the use of artificial chemicals.

Basic Principles of crop rotation

1. legumes, – beans
2. onions,
3. potato family,
4. umbellifers, – carrot, parsnip, celery
5. brassicas e.g. broccoli, cauliflower

See also: How To make your garden eco friendly

Dealing with Slugs.

Slugs can be controlled using organic methods. Try

1. Beer traps sunk into the soil
2. Pouring on a garlic infusion onto leaves.
3. Encourage a population of frogs to live near your vegetable plot.
4. Catch slugs early morning by placing a lettuce leaf or cabbage leaf in a strategic location.