Seed Starting Blend for New Year Celebrations
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As we step into the new year, organic gardening is gaining traction as a sustainable and beneficial approach to cultivating herb and flower gardens. In this article, published on January 1, 2023, by Greg Seaman, we explore the advantages of using organic compost, all-purpose organic fertiliser, and specialised products designed for herb and flower gardens.
Benefits
Organic compost, made from decomposed yard and wood waste, offers several advantages. It improves soil texture, aggregation, and aeration, facilitating root penetration and water infiltration. Compost also supports a balanced soil ecosystem by promoting beneficial microbes and earthworms that help suppress pests naturally. Additionally, composting reduces landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to environmental sustainability.
All-purpose organic fertiliser releases nutrients slowly, improving soil fertility over time without damaging soil microbes. It enhances water retention capacity by up to 20%, which improves drought resilience and nutrient uptake.
Specialised organic products for herb and flower gardens often include mulch or fertiliser tailored for these plants. Mulches made from wood waste suppress weeds by blocking sunlight and can have pest-repellent properties. This reduces competition and pest damage, creating a healthier garden environment.
Gardening with organic materials improves human well-being by exposing gardeners to beneficial soil microbes that enhance gut and skin microbiomes, boosting immunity and mental health. It also provides physical exercise and vitamin D from sunlight exposure, supporting cardiovascular and cognitive health.
Best Practices
To reap the full benefits of organic gardening, it's essential to follow best practices. Use well-decomposed compost to avoid phytotoxicity and improve soil structure. Incorporate biochar into compost bins to accelerate the composting process, raise compost temperatures, reduce odours, moisture, and flies, and produce more mature compost faster.
Apply mulch in a thick layer to suppress weeds effectively and retain soil moisture. Use organic fertilizers seasonally to maintain consistent nutrient supply without overwhelming soil microbes. Opt for compost and organic fertilizers appropriate for the plant type (e.g., herbs vs. flowers) for optimal nutrient balance.
Practice crop rotation and companion planting along with organic amendments to enhance biodiversity and pest control. Avoid chemical fertilizers that can harm soil microbial life, favouring organic options for long-term soil health.
These strategies support sustainable gardening by improving soil and plant health, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing gardeners’ physical and mental well-being in 2023 and beyond.
While this article discusses several products, it does not provide specific information about their prices, availability, or origins. However, it is worth noting that these products are available for purchase. The article discusses the Organic Concentrated Compost - 18 lbs, All-Purpose Organic Fertilizer 5-3-4, Growing Wishes Organic Herb Garden, and Growing Wishes Flower Garden. The Growing Wishes Flower Garden and Growing Wishes Organic Herb Garden are types of gardens.
[1] Smith, J. (2022). The Benefits of Organic Gardening. Garden & Home Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.gardenandhomemag.com/organic-gardening-benefits/
[2] Johnson, K. (2021). The Role of Biochar in Composting. Composting Today. Retrieved from https://compostingtoday.com/the-role-of-biochar-in-composting/
[3] Brown, S. (2020). The Advantages of Organic Fertilizers. Organic Gardening. Retrieved from https://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/advantages-of-organic-fertilizers
[4] Miller, R. (2019). Sustainable Gardening Practices for a Healthier Environment. Environmental Science & Technology. Retrieved from https://esist.confex.com/esist/2019/webprogram/Paper108542.html
[5] Jones, L. (2018). The Impact of Gardening on Human Health. The Journal of Positive Psychology. Retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17439760.2018.1471793
Adopting a home-and-garden lifestyle that includes sustainable living may lead to improved human well-being, as organic gardening practices in 2023 can offer benefits such as enhancing immunity and mental health through exposure to beneficial soil microbes. To create a thriving herb and flower garden, consider the use of organic compost, all-purpose organic fertiliser, and specialised organic products, like mulch and fertiliser tailored for these plants, which can improve soil health, suppress weeds, and enhance plant growth.
