How to Plant Non-Organic Seeds in an Organic Garden

Non-organic seeds grow into healthy plants.

Organic gardening is done without chemicals, pesticides, herbicides or inorganic fertilizers. Organic gardening recognizers that soil is a living entity composed of millions of organisms. Organic fertilizers, like compost and manure, feed the soil to perpetuate soil organisms that feed and nourish healthy plants. Healthy plants are better able to defend themselves from disease, insect attacks, droughts and extreme winters. Planting non-organic seeds in an organic garden does not impact the way they grow or the garden itself.

Things You'll Need

• Compost
• Well-rotted manure
• Water

Instructions

1. Plant non-organic seeds the same way you would plant organic seeds in an organic garden. Read the back of the seed packet for specific planting instructions, including depth, spacing, mulching and watering.

2. Amend the organic garden soil with compost and well-rotted manure before planting. Compost and manure provide organic nutrients that slowly become available to non-organic seeds and will not harm them. Make sure the manure is well-rotted, as fresh manure is hot and can burn non-organic seeds.

3. Soak non-organic seeds with water after planting. After germination continue watering when the plants dry out. Water non-organic seeds deeply to encourage deep healthy roots that search out extra nutrition and water that's deep in the soil. Use a drip hose or hand-water plants so water goes directly to roots.

References

• "Grow Great Grub"; Gayla Trail; 2010
• "Sustainable Gardening The Oregon Washington Master Gardener Handbook"; Oregon State University; October 2007

Resources

• Organic Gardening: Feeding Healthy Soil