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Five rules of organic gardening
Want to try organic gardening? Start with these basic tips and you'll be on your way in no time.
**The first step:**
**Feed your soil. **Get a composter and use it—compost will not only enrich the soil but also help to prevent disease. **Tip:** A handful of Epsom salt added to the soil will help plants take up nitrogen and phosphorus.
**Then follow these rules:**
**Be water-wise.** Use a rain barrel, divert downspouts into the garden, and search out drought-tolerant plants. **Tip:** When you do water, go slow—let the hose soak the soil a foot deep around trees and shrubs; four to six inches around perennials and vegetables.
**Encourage wildlife and reconsider “weeds.”** Provide habitat for birds, beneficial insects and animals such as toads—they are your best pest control. Many so-called weeds attract beneficial insects and deter unwelcome ones. **Tip:** Nitrogen-rich nettles and comfrey are two of the best additions to the compost pile.
**Mulch.** Organic mulch such as chopped leaves or shredded bark moderates the soil temperature, discourages weeds and retains moisture. **Tip:** For one-step mulch and compost, chop
carrot and beet tops and toss between rows of vegetables.
**Plant a diversity.** Mingle trees, shrubs, evergreens, flowers, herbs and vegetables; they work together to create a vibrant ecosystem with fewer pest and disease problems. **Tip:** Plant garlic buds next to roses, phlox and any plant susceptible to fungal disease.
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