The home garden is an excellent way to enjoy a new hobby and provide your family with fresh produce at the same time. However, chemical products that are sold for the home garden may create hidden dangers for your family's health. To ensure that the homegrown vegetables you put on your table are completely safe, organic gardening may be the solution. This style of gardening differs a bit from traditional gardening methods, but it can be a rewarding experience to know that you are growing fresh, chemical free produce for your family to enjoy.

In addition to the safety of your family, you will also have the peace of mind in knowing that organic gardening is good for the environment. Chemicals that go into many gardening supplies not only make their way to the plants; they can contaminate the air, soil and water as well. By using natural products to feed and nurture your garden, you can rest assured that your immediate environment and the area around you are safe and chemical-free. This is true even for container gardening, since the chemicals used on these plants can get into the air or seep out through the drainage holes to the ground below.

Getting Started

Once you have selected the location for your garden, the next step in organic gardening is usually preparing the soil for planting. Soil that is rich in nutrients and provides sufficient drainage and air circulation will usually produce healthy plants that are resistant to pests and disease. Good soil begins with good compost, whether you buy an organically certified product from the nursery or make your own. Organic gardening usually lends itself well to DIY compost that is collected in a compost bin throughout the year and worked into the soil in the spring.

Pests are another concern in organic gardening, since many commercial pesticides contain chemicals that could be harmful to the crops and environment. Instead, organic gardening often uses natural pesticides like beneficial bugs and other critters that will keep the pests at bay. There are also organic formulas that can be sprayed onto plants that need extra help resisting pests. Regular weeding and watering will keep plants healthy and strong, so pests become less of a problem.

Organic gardening is an enjoyable hobby that can be beneficial for your family as well. If you would like more information about organic gardening, contact your local nursery or extension office for facts about growing plants in your specific region.