How to Have a Healthy Garden Naturally

With a little effort and determination, a thriving organic garden can be yours.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Wood Composts
• Angle Weeders
• Compost Makers
• Dandelion Diggers
• Fertilizers
• Garden Hoses And Attachments
• Garden Trowels
• Hoes
• Mulch
• Shovels
• Weed Hounds

1. Test your soil for nutrients, organic matter and pH level. Healthy, balanced soil is the key to a healthy garden. (This can be done with a home testing kit or at numerous soil testing facilities throughout the country.)

2. Prepare planting beds by tilling the soil and manually clearing existing weeds and unwanted growth.

3. Mix 4 to 6 inches of organic compost into the top 3 inches of the soil.

4. Add earthworms to the soil if you see less than 10 worms per cubic foot. As nature's best gardeners, worms both plow and fertilize the soil continually.

5. Choose native and pest-resistant strains of plants best suited to your garden.

6. Fertilize two to three times a year with a slow-release organic fertilizer.

7. Water deeply, regularly and infrequently. Water needs vary with season and location, so start with 1 inch of water once a week and adjust, if necessary.

8. Mulch all beds with compost and shredded tree products. Mulch will not only smother unwanted weeds, it will help your beds reserve water during dry and hot months.

9. Hoe and pluck weeds manually. Tools such as the dandelion digger, the angle weeder and the weed hound will make the job easier.

10. Control insects and diseases using nontoxic alternatives such as oil, soap and pepper sprays.

11. Watch your garden flourish.

Tips & Warnings

• In addition to ensuring robust plant growth, nutrient-rich, living soil is your garden's best defense against weeds, disease and other unwanted pests.