Hello!
I'm a recent graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and I would like to start an organic garden in my backyard.
I have never done anything that is even remotely close to gardening
Can anyone recommend any good sources for someone who has no idea where (and when ) to start?
Thank you so much!
I'm looking forward to any useful advice!
Anyoota wrote:Can anyone recommend any good sources for someone who has no idea where (and when ) to start?!
You would probably appreciate having a good "general" gardening book to begin with, such as... Burpee : The Complete Vegetable & Herb Gardener : A Guide to Growing Your Garden Organically
[url]https://www.amazon.com/Burpee-Complete-Vegetable-Gardener-Organically/dp/0028620054/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1300151836&sr=1-1[/url]
After that, research composting and identify sources for greens, browns, and manure.
If you are going 100% organic, then you will likely want to become familiar with organic approaches to pest and disease control. Also will probably find interest in intensive gardening techniques, companion planting, crop rotation and succession planting, all of which tend to discourage pests, minimize disease, and extend the gardening season.
I suggest that you start small with a short list of easy to manage vegetables. Just prep the soil and plant with only minimal research. Then read, ask questions, experiment and gradually grow the size of your garden as well as expand the varieties and kinds of vegetables grown.
I would also suggest growing a few fruiting plants as they generally require little disease or pest maintenance. Blueberry bushes are probably the easiest, carefree berry. Raspberries and strawberries are pretty easy as well.
Gardening is a life long learning experience where new things are learned each year, new experiments are tried each year, and most everything about your methods and plant selections will evolve over a long period of time.
Good luck with your gardening experience.
