Organic gardening is not without problems, but neither is traditional gardening.

You do need to be ready for some of the challenges of organic gardening and learn to head off potential problems. Some of the best solutions are the simplest. And a simple, but very important step in preventing problems in the first place is to build healthy soil. Strong healthy soil creates strong healthy plants that are able to better resist problems.

Feed Your Soil

One of the most important steps you can take is to compost all your chemical free organic waste from the kitchen, yard and gardens. Adding compost and organic amendments to your gardens will enrich your soil with important nutrients and beneficial microorganisms. Your plants will all be stronger and healthier and so better able to resist pests and disease.

Insect Pests

Insects are probably the biggest problem every gardener and farmer deals with. Ideally we would like to prevent the insects from invading our gardens in the first place, see Preventing Insect Pests for the best ways to minimize the insect problem. Some of the best organic methods of directly dealing with destructive insects is to spray with soapy water, a solution of baking soda and water or neem oil. Sometimes just picking off the few that have come along or hosing off larger numbers with a hose is enough. Interplanting with insect repelling plants can also help.

Weeds

For most ordinary gardeners, weeds may be a big annoyance but not really a big problem. Just pulling weeds when the soil is moist is not such a big job. For larger plots disrupting small weed seedlings by cultivating is probably easiest. Heavily mulching where possible will minimize weeds as well has hold soil moisture. But do be very careful of natural weed control solutions, they are not necessary safe for your soil and plants.

Disease

One of the best ways to prevent plant disease and fungus is to properly space out your plants. Good space will allow critical oxygen access for your plants. Good air circulation will prevent foliage from remaining wet which encourages growth of fungus and disease. Proper watering is essential to disease prevention. Do also try to purchase disease resistant varieties. These are perfectly natural and acceptable, either heirlooms or hybrids, not genetically modified.

Poor Production

If your plants are producing fruit and vegetable poorly or not at all, there are many things that could be causing the problem. The solution is never to provide lots of nitrogen or other fertilizer! Basic needs of each plant needs to be met, which can vary. So be sure your are providing all the right conditions to expect good production and strong healthy growth. Maintaining basic organic practices and maintenance can dramatically improve flower and fruit production.

Things to remember for standard maintenance practices

• Plant in the right spot - the right sun and soil condition for each plant

• Inspect plants frequently

• Water your soil, not the foliage

• When plants do need additional feedings, use organic fertilizers which will aid immunity

• Do not make “more water” your first option to a solve a problem. The very first thing you need to solve a problem is patience. Next is observation.

• Keep the garden clean of fallen fruit and diseased foliage.

Growing organically will produce wonderful benefits to you and your family. Organically grown food is richer in vitamin and mineral content because of all the nutrients in your soil, rather than chemical additives. Organically grown foods also taste better!