We are bombarded with organic products of every type, regardless if it results in a more sustainable production process or a superior quality.  In home gardening the definition of organic is broad and the applications are many.

Usually organic is defined as using naturally occurring solutions to maintain the health of your individual plants and your overall garden.  This is important in the soil and on the plants themselves.  To be organic any synthetic chemicals should not be used as fertilizers or pesticides (insecticides, fungicides, herbicides).

In place of synthetic chemicals there are many processes a home gardener can put in place to ensure plant health.

1. Soil health without fertilizers can be managed quite well in raised beds.  A mix of potting soil, compost and mulch can provide the garden with all of the nutrients it will need.
2. Staying in tune with the soil quality via soil tests is very important.  Understanding what nutrients are deficient will be a great guide for what needs to be added and what point of the growing cycle to intervene.
3. Natural solutions such as crop rotation and companion planting can be everything a healthy garden requires.  Many plants will work in concert with each other to add beneficial nutrients to the soil.  It is also important to understand which plants are heavy feeders that will leech vital nitrogen that will need to be replaced with a greater use of compost.
4. Natural pesticides can be produced directly from certain plants to protect against specific insects.  Sugar solutions may also work to attract beneficial insects that protect against damaging ones.
5. Some plants act as attractors of beneficial insects for pest deterrents and aid in pollination.
6. There is no better way to maintain a healthy organic garden than by paying attention!
   1. Pruning dead and dying leaves promotes health in the rest of the plant
   2. Harvesting ripened fruits lets the plant know it needs to keep producing
   3. Noticing pest infestations early broadens your recovery options.  Many times its nothing more than picking the offenders off and removing them entirely from the garden area.

We espouse organic practices at Structured Gardens and compel you to do the same.  You will taste the difference in each harvest for years to come!