Gardening is a very important element of green living, especially organic gardening. Organic gardening is not the easiest thing in the world to learn and impliment. But it's is well worth it.

This is the first article in a multi-part series on getting down with the earth and growing organically. Now where was I... 

While manufacturers have made it easy to turn to chemical growing, pre-made fertilizers and pesticides, these options, frankly, are not the best for you or your health. Chemical fertilizer stop the natural process of how the plant utilizes and processes the soil. So, whatever you eat that is grown in them lacks necessary mineral elements and cofactors. You eat a devitalized end product. And, no matter how much you wash this produce, you will still have chemicals or industrial waste products remaining inside it.

And that just can't be good for your health!

These same chemicals not only contaminate the food you eat, but also contaminate the soil it was grown in, the air you breathe and the water you drink. They get everywhere...which may be one reason why you're considering organic growing.

So what does it take to get started growing organically? What should you should watch out for? How do you plan a growing season? And most importantly, how do you fertilize, care for and harvest the food?

What You Need To Get Started

Getting started with organic gardening is really very easy. You have to start with good soil. Good soil is remains good as long as you keep the 'junk' off of it. That means no pesticides, no herbicides and no chemical fertilizers. If you have been using these in the past and want to switch over, there's good news. My friend, Medicine Wolf, has come up with a way to bind toxins and pesticides in the soil, free up the nutrients and replinish it. It's quite an amazing discovery. You'll want to check it out here. 

Start a compost pile.

The compost pile is your best friend when it comes to growing organically, literally and helps you many ways. First, it helps in reducing your garbage. Most scraps and organic matter can be thrown in the pile to 'cure'. Secondly, it makes great fertilizer. Your compost pile should consist of grass, leaves, scraps from your kitchen – such as fruits and vegetables, and even your coffee grounds. You can either put a pile out back or buy a compost bin. There are even bins that are elevated and rotate. Pretty cool stuff!

You can even use one of my favorite composters that uses - get this - worms! Yep, you can't put meat in there but they love your lettuce and veggie scraps. These worms make a very highly concentrated type of organic fertilizer called 'worm casings' and liquid fertilizer which is great for indoor plants too. You can find out more about the can of worms here.

If you choose to use other forms of fertilizers, make sure you are using pesticide and toxin free fertilizers. Organic can only come from nature; otherwise, you are not really organic. Mulch is also a good idea, but make sure it is organic. Other items might include bone meal, greensand and rock phosphate.

What To Watch Out For

Many people combat pests, critters, and drought while organic gardening. The old way was to run out and get a pesticide and start killing the suckers. However, this is not what you want in organic gardening. Then when it comes to drought, this can really hurt.

When it comes to ridding of pests, it is best to start thinking about them in the beginning stages. Make sure you are thoroughly checking any plants you buy before bringing them home for any signs of pests or disease. Consider organic pesticides or a natural home remedy that works. There are several organic gardener's catalogs that offer great hints and insights along this line. Gardens Alive is one of my favorites.

When it comes to drought, you will have to be watchful. Better irrigation is ideal. Drip irrigation is best; this targets the watering to the roots and close to the ground, minimizing the effects of evaporation. You may want to water during the early morning or early evening to conserve water. You can also water using a nozzle with a rainfall setting. If you use plants that are indigenous to drought prone areas, they usually require less water.

Be careful about tilling too much as this leads to moisture loss. Mulch can help by trapping moisture in the soil.

Planning For A Growing Season

When planning for a growing season, just the act of planning helps lead to success. Identify which plants grow particularly well in your area. You can usually get an idea about that at your local garden store. Look for plants that have built their own natural resistance to diseases. Study up on companion planting - which plants make others grow better AND which plants fend off pests.

Lay out a road map of what you want to grow (and eat), when it is best planted for optimum yeild, and when you expect to begin harvesting the results. This alone will help you enjoy organic gardening so much more than just winging it. You will see your garden blossom and flourish with anticipation of eating a bountiful harvest. Fresh grown. Fresh picked. Fresh organic produce. It's just good for the body.

In Part 2, we'll get down in the dirt with more growing tips to help you get started with organic gardening.