Organic Vegetable Garden
In 1942 , during World War II, the buzz word to all of the country was "Plant a Victory Garden." We responded-as did twenty million other US citizens. And that was the start of our organic vegetable garden adventure. For in 1942 gardening was all organic...there were no chemicals yet available. We liked what we grew and so everywhere we moved we planted a garden. Organic gardening has become much more sophisticated in the years since 1942. Originally organic garden certification for those interested in selling their crops was defined by a group of organic gardeners.
I cannot afford to become USDA Organic certified, so I have joined Certified Naturally Grown a non-profit alternative certification program tailored for small-scale, direct-market farmers using natural methods.This organization monitors members' gardens and farms to ensure that strict natural growing practices are observed. I also am a member of Spin Farming which stands for Small Plot Intensive and is encouraging city members to become involved in raising vegetables in their own and their neighbor's back yards. Their philosophy reminds me of the days of Victory Gardens. Spin Farming is striving to "make agriculture accessible to anyone,anywhere." Detailed information,including how-to videos for starting a home organic garden,is readily available on the Internet. This Organic Gardening Blog is a wealth of information and well worth checking out. 
Finding organic seed for the organic vegetable garden can be challenging. At the moment many commercial seed companies are concentrating on fruits and vegetables that will travel well and hold for a long time on the shelf. As a result, many of the old heritage seeds have been discarded.
Seed Savers Exchange
is an organization that works at "saving the world's diverse,but endangered" seeds from being lost to future generations. I purchase many of my more interesting seeds from them or their members.Ten years ago we were introduced to two Eliot Coleman books-"Four Season Harvest" and The New Organic Grower". These books were invaluable in helping us to construct our first and second greenhouses. I have now graduated from just planting a garden to producing for market in a winter or unheated greenhouse.Throughout the cold months I grow a selection of organic greens and spinach. In the warmer months I broaden my produce selections with items from my organic vegetable garden. Garden Compost Making garden compost is a bit like taking out the trash-you want to remove the spent organic matter in order to tidy your garden and kitchen. The thing is-this "trash" later changes into gold for your garden! My Herb Garden An herb garden is essential in the country. It is easy to plan and maintain and adds so much fresh flavor to your country cooking. Small Greenhouse Number One We built a small greenhouse after reading Four Season Harvest by Elliot Coleman. We always had a garden and now we could grow produce all year long - and we didn't have to heat the greenhouse! Greenhouse Number 2 Greenhouse Number 2 came about because our first small greenhouse was such a success! We wanted more room to grow cool weather crops. HoopHouse-Extend Your Growing Season A hoophouse or high tunnels can extend the garden growing season-and make it easier to have fresh organic produce year-round. Growing Garlic I enjoy growing garlic. There are over 300 varieties of garlic grown in the world divided into two kinds-soft neck and hard neck. Organic Garden Tips-Garden Bed Preparation Organic garden tips on preparing garden beds. This is what works well for our organic garden. Micro Greens - The Newest Culinary Trend Think of micro greens as a gourmet vegetable confetti, bursting with intense flavor,color and texture. Fresh Green Beans from my organic garden are one of my favorite vegetables. The first picking is always seems to taste the best but perhaps that is because it has been 12 months since the last "first picking!" Growing Sweet Potatoes This year I am growing sweet potatoes for the first time in my organic country garden. The harvest is just in and they are delicious! Growing Peppers I like growing peppers. Peppers have always been a special part of my garden.They like warmth so during the dog days of August they grow at a fantastic rate. Low Tunnel A double-covered low tunnel is easy to build and inexpensive. I expect a March harvest of carrots and spinach. Garden Seed Catalogs Pouring over the seed catalogs is a great past time in winter when the snow is piled high on the ground and the temperature is zero or below. Growing Strawberries in grow pots is an easy way for an older person to practice container gardening. Take a look at the success I had this year. Growing Rhubarb is easy and well worth the effort. In my garden rhubarb is one of the earliest of fruits and a harbinger of spring. English Cucumbers are long and have only a few seeds and are considered burpless.They have edible skin which saves preparation time since there is no peeling and also adds fiber. Return to Country Home |
