Starting an organic vegetable garden is a great way to provide your family with nutritious, safe vegetables all season long. It can also be a fun hobby that the entire clan can participate in, from sowing the seeds to weeding the crops. An organic garden is a bit different from other types of gardens, since some of the standard commercial products cannot be used for planting, feeding and pest control. However, with a few tips for starting an organic vegetable garden, you will be on your way to growing all natural, delicious veggies and doing your part to protect the environment at the same time.

Preparing the Soil

Starting an organic vegetable garden doesn't begin with sowing seeds in the late spring. Instead, this garden can be started months prior to the planting season, with the creation of a compost heap that will be used to prepare the soil for the seeds and plants. A compost bin is easy to construct, and will be used to house table scraps, grass clipping and any other refuse that you want to include in your compost heap. Some choose to build their bin out of wood, while others simply drill holes into a plastic bin with a tight fitting lid. The compost pile will take some time to decompose, so give yourself a few months to a year to get the combination ready to grow an organic vegetable garden.

Once your compost is ready for starting an organic vegetable garden, work it into the soil about three weeks prior to planting. This will ensure the compost has time to settle and won't damage your tender seedlings or seeds that you put into it. A two to three-inch depth will ensure that your soil offers plenty of nutrients to your plants throughout the growing season. In fact, if your compost is prepared properly, your plants may not need any additional feeding throughout the growing season. In addition to providing nutrients, good compost will ensure your soil has the proper drainage to ensure your plants get all the air and water they need.

Once your soil is good and ready, you can begin sowing your seeds or planting your seedlings. Starting an organic vegetable garden means finding seeds or plants that are certified organic. In some cases, you will be able to find organic garden supplies at your local nursery, but in other cases, you may have to turn to specific mail order garden centers for starting an organic vegetable garden. Once your seeds are planted, make sure your sprouts receive regular watering and weeding to keep them healthy and strong. Your efforts are sure to reward you with succulent, natural produce for your entire family.