Ignore This 12 Forgotten Organic Farming Tips at Your Peril

Organic farming has become a runaway success, posting sales in the billions, showering eager consumers with naturally grown fruits, vegetables, and showing no signs of becoming a niche market any more.

The booming organic industry posted new records in 2015, with total organic product sales hitting a new benchmark of $43.3 billion, in the US alone.

Naturally, many people want to emulate that success in their own gardens and farms.


But what forgotten organic farming tips will work in your backyard if you pay attention to them?

Here’s the catch:

12 forgotten organic farming tips to ignore at your peril

1. Start by thoroughly preparing the Soil

organic farming tips

Organic farming tip one is to prepare the soil




That way you can tailor your gardening program.



2. How to Make Your Own Compost

organic farming tips

Organic farming tip two is to make your own compost and let the worms help you

You can’t overdo compost!

All gardens benefit from compost.

If you plan on using homemade compost, which is perfectly OK to use organic compost from a store if you don't have the time or resources, make sure it's well broken-down and free of weed seeds.


Spread compost around plants, mix with potting soil, and use to bolster struggling plants.



Even a minimally tended pile will still yield decent results.






3. Sterilize Your Homemade Compost by Solarisation

To ensure that you're not introducing a fungus or other disease causing agents into your garden, you'll want to sterilize the compost before you plant.

Instead of using a fungicide or a pesticide, you can buy clear plastic sheeting, roll it out to cover your compost pile, stake it down, and leave it on for a week.

It'll allow the rays of the sun to come in and trap the heat to a point that'll kill the nematodes or fungi already in there.

4. Choose suitable crops







Alternatively, grow your fruits and vegetables from seeds.


5. Plant Crops in Wide, Raised Beds

organic farming tips

Organic farming tip five, use raised beds in your organic garden










5. Tall Snow Peas and Sugar snaps. They grow readily and produce delicious rewards.

6. Watering your organic crops like you mean it

organic farming tips

Organic farming tip six, water your crops like you mean it

The best time to water plants is usually in the morning.





Alternatively, use drip irrigation system for the garden, which helps you avoid getting the leaves wet—that can lead to fungus or disease, especially if they remain damp overnight.



To avoid shocking tender greenery, try to use water at or near air temperature. Harvested rainwater does a perfect job.


7. How to get rid of weeds naturally

organic farming tips

Organic farming tip seven, get rid of the weeds organically. Start by pulling em up

Weeds are practically found everywhere, since their tiny seeds are pervasive.



Reduce the number of weeds you have to contend with by applying mulch (which also helps protect the soil). Organic mulch that will rot down into the soil is almost always preferable to landscape fabric, although burlap and other materials can work in a pinch.

Straw mulch is cheap but doesn't last long.

Wood chips are nice, but can get pricey.


It’s also important to use only dry lawn or grass clippings. The reason being, fresh clippings compete for nitrogen at first with your crops.

If you get tired of weeding or aren't able to bend over, consider hiring other people to help out. It's a good way to get to know others in your community.


8. Toxic pesticides are the enemy, here’s what to do without them

organic farming tips

Organic farming tip eight, use bio-friendly means to control pests




Beneficial insects can be your best friends, especially lady birds and other predatory mite.

Most of them are available for sale.


Nets and row covers can also work.




You can also use horticultural oils for example neem oil, insecticidal soaps and garlic and/or hot pepper sprays.

The neem oil is perfect for controlling mites and aphids but safe and friendly to pollinators.

For really big pests, like deer, you're going to have to put up a fence. All the mentioned remedies might not be 100% effective, but are good enough.

9. Use non-chemical fertilizer alternatives

The seaweed and fish emulsion are both excellent organic fertilizers, but if you've done your groundwork and laid down a good layer of compost, you probably won't need to worry about fertilizer too much.

One homemade fertilizer that's popular is a compost tea.

Take some compost, soak it in water for a period, and use just the resultant liquid to fertilize your plants.

10. Practice Crop Rotation

Don't be disappointed when you can't grow your own organic crops in the middle of a given season. Every vegetable and fruit has its natural time in the cycle of the year.

Work with that cycle, not against it:

When one crop's done, rotate in something else.

For example, you can grow clover as a cover crop and let it sit there—it's a nice one for when you need to turn your beds over. Clover's also a legume, and will reintroduce nitrogen into the soil.

Field peas can be a fun cover crop too, because you can eat the pea shoots

11. How to avoid unnecessary waste while harvesting

organic farming tips

Organic farming tip eleven, harvesting and value addition




Got herbs?



Harvest basil in the late afternoon, since it will last longer after some time in the sun. It's best not to wash herbs before you dry or use them, since that can leach flavor (extra incentive for growing organic!).




It creates unnecessary wounds that might serve as pathways for diseases.

If you get too much bounty, remember you can also freeze or sell the extra!

12. How to clean up after the season




Most healthy or expired plants can actually be left in place when the season is over. You'll provide some food and habitat for birds and other wildlife, and plant cover can help protect your soil from eroding.



You’ve just read about 12 organic farming tips that can help you to transform your organic garden or farm into a spectacular real estate.

And that’s not all:

By following these simple effective tips, you help fight the effects of global warming, you also help in protecting the environment while conserving biodiversity.

In summary, organic farming is not just a system to growing nutrient dense crops for your family but a way to revitalize the forgotten food growing techniques that are offers awesome market opportunities.




One comment

  • I want to make sure that my garden is taken care of. It makes sense that I would want to get homemade compost! It would be great to not have to worry about any kinds of chemicals in it.

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