Winter Habitats of Insects
Published on: January 8, 2022
Written by: Jessica Dawe
In the new year, organic gardening is gaining traction as more gardeners embrace sustainable practices. Here's a round-up of some well-recommended products and tips for organic gardening in 2022.
Raised Garden Beds
Choose raised garden beds made from materials that support good drainage and root aeration. Cedar or redwood wood, naturally rot-resistant, and recycled plastic composites are excellent options. Fill these beds with a mix of topsoil, organic compost, and amendments like coconut coir, which improves moisture retention, aeration, and disease resistance in soil naturally.
Composters
For organic composting, versatile composters like tumblers (such as the Jora JK270 Composter) or worm bins (like the Worm Factory 360 Composter) speed up decomposition of kitchen scraps and garden waste into nutrient-rich compost. Adding organic matter like compost, wood chips, worm castings, or composted manure enriches soil, improves moisture retention, and boosts soil fertility for healthier crops.
Fertilizers
Use biological inoculants such as Vital+ Biological Inoculant, which contain beneficial microbes that enhance soil structure and fertility naturally while assisting nutrient uptake, soil salinity management, and decomposing matter. Organic fertilizers like composted manure, worm castings, and mulch also add essential nutrients without synthetic chemicals.
Gardening Tools
Prioritise tools that minimise soil disturbance to preserve soil life. Broadforks for aeration, hand pruners, and hoe-type weeders are ideal. Always select tools made of durable, sustainable materials for longevity and eco-friendliness.
Additional Suggestions
- Prepare your garden soil by calculating volume properly and sourcing quality organic soil mixes. Buying bulk soil by the cubic yard for larger raised bed projects can enhance cost efficiency.
- Consider using coconut coir as a sustainable soil amendment. It provides excellent water retention and aeration, is pH neutral, and naturally resistant to pests and diseases—ideal for organic gardening environments.
- For further guidance on organic farming fundamentals, consider free online resources and courses offered by organisations like the Organic Farming Research Foundation, which cover topics from soil health to pest management and business marketing.
Other Products
- The Natural Cedar L-Shaped Raised Garden Beds, a variant of the Natural Cedar Raised Garden Beds, are designed to save space in gardening.
- The Farmstead Raised Garden Bed, made from wood, is another garden bed mentioned in the article.
- The VegTrug Raised Garden Planter, designed to be portable, is a raised garden planter that can be a great addition to your organic gardening setup.
- The Premium Drinking Water Safe Garden Hose is designed to prevent water contamination, ensuring a clean and safe water supply for your plants.
- The Wildflower Farms Eco-Lawn Grass Seed is a type of grass seed that promotes eco-friendly lawns, contributing to a sustainable gardening environment.
- The Stainless Steel Compost Keeper is a compost container mentioned in the article, providing a stylish and functional solution for your composting needs.
- The Corn Gluten Organic Fertilizer, derived from corn and safe for pets and children, is another organic fertilizer option that adds essential nutrients to your soil without synthetic chemicals.
These suggestions reflect modern organic growing principles focusing on soil health, microbial activity, and sustainable resource use for the best gardening outcomes.
Incorporating raised garden beds into one's home-and-garden lifestyle is a recommended practice for organic gardening in 2022. For example, one can opt for space-saving L-shaped raised garden beds like The Natural Cedar L-Shaped Raised Garden Beds, or perhaps the Farmstead Raised Garden Bed made from wood, both of which are ideal for organic gardening.
Maintaining a healthy organic garden also involves using eco-friendly tools like broadforks and hand pruners, and organic fertilizers such as Corn Gluten Organic Fertilizer, which is safe for pets and children and adds essential nutrients without synthetic chemicals. Additionally, composters like the Worm Factory 360 Composter can speed up decomposition of kitchen scraps and garden waste into nutrient-rich compost, thereby enriching soil.