Gardening is a complex hobby, but it doesn't have to be confusing or difficult. This is especially true if you want to garden naturally. You may need to learn everything from soil pH to controlling pests without chemicals. An organic garden can be more than a little challenging for the novice. By reading the tricks in this article, you will find yourself better prepared to grow your food organically.

Before planting any perennials, you have to make the ground ready. Take your spade and work up a thin layer of soil. Turn that soil over, then spread a few inches of wood chips on the newly turned area. Give this area at least a few weeks, then you can dig into the area and plant the new perennials.

Add mulch to your garden to improve the vitality of the soil. The soil can be greatly enhanced by adding a good layer of mulch to it. This protective effect is especially important during the summer, as it protects the roots from the effects of the heat. This retains moisture for extended periods by reducing the rate at which water evaporates. It can also help alleviate any weed issues.

When you plant your garden, do so by creating biodiversity. Wildlife will be drawn to the multiple species of plants that you incorporate into your garden. Your organic garden should closely mimic a natural setting so plant different varieties of plants that can coexist in your location. The end result should be a calming and great place to relax. Your hard work will have been well worth the effort.

For an easy, organic garden option, try a shade garden. You might be interested to know that these gardens are very low maintenance. They require less watering too, so they save a lot of time and work. Weeds will be less prevalent, even though you may experience longer times for growth to develop.

When gardening, you should know all the different things that you can utilize. Use a natural alternative to chemical fertilizers. This is one of the tenets of true organic gardening. For example, consider creating your own compost heap. Benefits of using organic methods, as opposed to inorganic methods include, less use of toxic chemical buildups in drinking water and in the soil as well.

Try not to waste your rainwater. Use barrels or buckets to trap rainwater to use in your organic garden. This way, you don't need to spend money on water for your garden. The best thing about rainwater is that it is free. Rainwater can also be more beneficial to your plants than tap water.

Clean your vegetables outdoors using fresh water. You can reuse the nutrients and dirt washed from fresh vegetables and it can add nourishment that tap and rain water do not offer. This technique only works if you do not add any type of chemical or cleaner to the water as you are cleaning the veggies.

Now, you shouldn't get your hopes up and believe that a few tips are going to turn you into an instant professional gardener. However, these tips are a great starting point if you do plan to grow organically. As you implement these tips and hone your skills, you'll be a professional green-thumb-holder in no time.