My Organic Gardening Plans with Home Depot
Just over a month ago, I shared some of my dreams for outdoor projects. Now that we are back from our big RV adventure, I’ve begun to really map out what I want to accomplish this year. Growing my own vegetables is a high priority and this year I am formulating organic gardening plans.
This post on organic gardening plans is sponsored and part of the The Home Depot Spring DIY program.
What is Organic Gardening and Why Am I Considering It?
I suppose before considering why I would tackle organic gardening, it would be helpful to really define what I consider organic gardening to be.
Organic gardening is considered by many to be growing plants without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.
That’s a great basic addition, however you can take it a step further by looking at the big picture and how those plants fit into the environment.
Considering the growing environment means a careful look at the soil (including continual replenishing with organic material aka compost) and selecting plants that are best suited for the site.
As to why I want to pursue organic vegetable gardening instead of a traditional method, it can best be summed up as wanting the best quality food source for my family.
I do not want to wonder if a chemical treatment leads to someone in the family becoming ill. And, honestly, the organic vegetables I have purchased just taste better.
Why not get the best tasting produce I can at home for a fraction of the cost, too?
My Organic Gardening Plans
I have to admit that hubby is NOT one to shun any kind of helper (e.g. pesticides) that will get rid of a troublesome blight. So, this will be a challenge in our household and mean that I’m taking the lead to keep it all up.
To start off, I have been rethinking our backyard environment. When we lived back East, the garden was tilled in a sunny spot of the yard. Spring would have an image very much like the one below of teen son tilling his grandmother’s garden plot in New York.
But, that’s not the best method for us here in our spot of Alaska. We’ve tried and it’s mostly failed.
Our dirt has a lot of rocks in it, which makes sense as it is the side of a mountain. That means I need to purchase a good organic soil to lay the foundation.
Below is our garden spot during a thaw. Some soil was brought in to start it before we bought the house, but it’s in need of help.
I’m also vacillating at the moment between container gardening (which is a plus for some plants like tomatoes that are more cold sensitive and can then be moved indoors at night) and raised bed gardening. Most likely, I’ll be doing a combination of the two.
As for what to plant, I will be doing some things from seeds (e.g. peas and carrots) and others from plants (e.g. broccoli and tomatoes).
I am also wanting to make a container garden of herbs to enhance my cooking with the hopes of keeping them indoors through most of the year.
I can hardly wait for our local Home Depot to get the vegetable plants in stock so I can start the ball truly rolling.
Expectations are going to be kept modest, too.
Although, I have to admit that some of the farmers up in the valley to our north get monster- sized produce with the longer light cycles in summer. (I could make a LOT of zucchini bread with one that size!)
Are you planning to grow vegetables this year?
Have you ever considered organic gardening for vegetables?
More Gardening Helps
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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Home Depot.
I would be happy with something actually growing in my garden! haha Last year I did so much work and nothing grew.
We’ve had that problem in the past, too, Shari. Hence the experiment of containers and hopefully raised beds.
I have been attempting for the longest time to do organic gardening but our soil is also not so good….I might try the container method – that might work better for us.
Jadey,
I think containers and raised beds will make a HUGE difference for us here in Alaska. Soil is a key component and if your yard’s soil stinks then you have to buy something better to use.
love your post and cant wait to get to our new home and start a garden in our big backyard!
Sounds exciting, Kristyn! I always love new beginnings.
We are actually doing our garden this weekend! I can’t wait!
Sounds exciting, Mel! I’m eager to dig in, too.
What an awesome project! I love growing a garden. But I’m in Idaho and we have a LOT of rocks in our soil too. I finally built a raised garden bed for most of my vegetables with quality top soil so I can actually get something to grow! I can’t wait to see how your garden turns out! Good LUck!
I can hardly wait, too, Amber. Rocky soil definitely stinks which is why I’m taking that plunge of raised beds or containers only.
i am excited for the nice weather so we can start up our garden again!
Container gardening works really well for us in Vermont.
That’s good to know, Ellen.
Great photos. I pinned for you in a great group board about inspiring DIY. Love the photos. I really need to do a garden this year.
Thanks for sharing it on Pinterest, Jenn. I’m itching to get started here.
I’d love to grow any kind of vegetable, but I have no yard… or a house for that matter. One day … one day…
we are moving to a new house with a great backyard and i would LOVE to start an organic garden also!
i think this is a great move. good for you!
I love to organic garden! It looks like he has his work cut out for him. We don’t till anymore because we have raised beds and I love it!
I plan to pick up some raised bed kits this week to try here, Amanda. The soil is not great compared to where my teen helped his grandmother.
Great post! lots of ideas for my yard!!!
Remember no GMO seeds! I envy you folks with backyards! I am growing tomatos in my son’s room (best sunlight) but we live in an apartment and I have seen no flower buds!
I love the organic idea, it is becoming mor eimportant for all of us!
Mitch
I’m definitely looking at seed packages, too. Some of the vegetables have to be bought as plants as we couldn’t start from seed this year.
We tried growing our garden one year and we didn’t do so hot. We need to learn more. Maybe we will try again soon. 🙂
I figure it’s a great learning experience for my boys as well as for me, Dawn. And, I know that people around us ARE growing things. Maybe if produce wasn’t so expensive and half rotted by the time we got it here I would be less inspired.
Looking good! I have a black thumb, but the husband is growing some basil and other herbs.
Kas
My thumb tends to be more black than green, Kasandria. Herbs are a fantastic way to start, though.
It looks like you are off to a great start. Sadly, it looks like I will only have an organic patio garden. But it is still nice to have fresh herbs when I need them.
Angela,
I figure that something is better than nothing. Fresh herbs get really expensive at the store, too.
This looks so wonderful. I’m an awful gardener. Just can’t seem to get the knack of it but I’d love one like you’ve got.
We’ve had rotten luck since moving here, Cyn. I’m not a great gardener by any stretch of the imagination. But, I’m willing to keep trying and enjoy whatever I can get grown.
This is great information! I started organic gardening for my vegetables a couple of years ago, but I’m never sure if I’m doing it right! I love learning how to improve my gardening. Thank you!
I figure it will be a long learning curve in some regards, Jodi. Well, that and keeping hubby from using chemicals I’m trying to avoid!
Thank you for all the info. I wish I had a place for a garden-love the idea of a container garden, that I could do!
Mary,
Even though we have space, container gardening has so many advantages. One of my mom’s former neighbors grew a TON of veggies in containers on his patio.