Put on your garden clogs and gloves and work on a winter garden! Most people think you have to start vegetable gardens in the spring, but consider some tasty winter crops, such as swiss chard, spinach, onions, parsley and garlic cloves, that you can plant this time of year.

And, go organic! Organic vegetable gardens produce healthier and tastier crops! All you need is a good organic soil base, add sunlight and moisture, a little hard work and a lot of love.

Here are some basic tips to successful gardening:

Planning / Preparation

• Do some preliminary research on what you want to plant. Don’t plant anything you don’t want to harvest!
• Remember that a great source of information comes from your local independent nurseries. They will gladly share their experiences with you. Mention you want to go organic so they can advise you on what plants will be hardier.
• You can start your seeds indoors until they are substantial enough to move outdoors. You’ll really be able to germinate your seeds faster if you use an organic rooting hormone. Or consider buying starter plants from your local nursery.
• Figure out the amount of sunlight required for each type of plant so you choose where to put it in your garden.
• Don’t overcrowd. Plant far enough apart to give your plants adequate room to grow. You can always add to your garden next year!

Installation

• Start with a good, healthy organic-based soil; 6 to 8 inches in depth. If you have nothing but rock, install a raised bed.
• If you use existing soil, try tilling in an organic fertilizer, such as compost, to prepare your planting beds. Consider incorporating anywhere from 30 to 50%.
• When adding new soil, till in at least one inch to the existing soil to create a “transition” layer. This will help to create a more complete ecosystem.

Maintenance

• Maintain a controlled regimen of watering. You can become “waterwise” by checking the dampness of your soil before watering. Use a pencil or your finger to reach down deep to test the moisture level. Don’t water if only the top layer is dry. Watering excessively can prevent your plants from breathing which can result in root rot. Start out watering a little every day and scale back depending on the type of plant and outside conditions.
• Pull out any weeds by hand so they don’t become uncontrollable and smother your plants.
• Watch your garden grow and be observant of any changes in appearance or discoloration and address them immediately.

Challenges

• If a plant becomes infected, start by removing any infected parts of the plant before resorting to other treatments. There are plenty of organic remedies available.
• Be wary of temperature extremes. Have material on hand to cover your garden in case of a hard freeze and make sure there’s adequate drainage so water doesn’t pool up in your garden. You may also want to surround your garden with native mulch for added protection.
• Stay organic! Once you start using chemicals, you’ll see the plants needing more and more supplements. Harmful chemicals can leach into our precious aquifer and contaminate our natural resources.

After harvesting, replenish your garden by re-tilling and adding some organic fertilizer, such as compost. Keep notes on your research and take pictures of your garden as it grows. It’s a great project for the whole family. As you become more familiar with your garden, you’ll want to expand and add more herbs and vegetables to help defer some of your grocery bills and to gift to your friends and neighbors!