How to Grow Organic Produce Year-Round at Home

How to Grow Organic Produce Year-Round at Home

Growing organic produce at home is a dream for many; still, it's a task that requires both preparation and dedication. There is more to it than simply burying a seed in the yard and pouring water on it regularly. It's essential to understand everything about the desired crop, including all factors that can make it thrive, such as the suitable soil, climate, water, and sunlight. Here are a few tips that will help you grow the organic produce you have always wanted.

Prepare the Area

Before you plant anything, you first need to decide where you will grow your future produce. If you have a yard, that's great. Of course, protecting your crops from the elements is a must, so applying indoor gardening to reap all year-round is also a good idea.

It all depends on how large your area available for gardening is. If you have a large room inside your home, you can place taller and larger varieties of plants. Devices such as a vertical growing rack allow you to maximize your gardening space without requiring a large plot of land. Even if you only have a corner in the living room, that can be more than enough.

In addition to the size of the designated spot, you have to consider the amount of natural light it can get in the chosen area. Ideally, you want an area near windows or any other spot outside where there's abundant light that can bathe your plants all day long without problems.

Crops such as melons, peppers, and cucumbers do well with 6 to 8 hours of sunlight. For leafy greens like spinach and lettuce, 3 to 4 hours of sun is good enough. Temperature matters too. If you decide to keep your plants indoors, you have to keep the temperature from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 14 hours a day. Aside from the desired temperature, you need to have proper humidity levels. A dry environment will only wither your plants, and too much moisture attracts fungus. So keep plants close to each other and invest in a humidifier to have an atmosphere of around 50% to 60% where your organic produce can thrive.

Choose Your Plants

Go to a local garden shop and pick up certified organic seeds or seedlings that will fit in your garden nicely. As you search for seedlings, pay attention to the leaves. Stay away from plants with wilting or yellow leaves, as it means they aren't in good shape.

Depending on the size of your designated area for growing crops, some plants will make more sense than others. An outdoor garden will give you more choices than an indoor one. Still, even if you only have a tiny corner of the living for growing plants, you can harvest a decent amount of produce.

Avocado, orange, and banana trees, for example, are better suited for warm weather and outdoor gardening, although it is possible to grow dwarf varieties indoors.

If you are a beginner, go for varieties native to your area or compatible with the climate you live in. For example, peppers, sweet potatoes, corn, beans, and eggplants thrive during summer and hot climates. On the other hand, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, celery, and lettuce grow much better in colder temperatures. These crops also do well in small indoor gardens as they don't require ample space or extensive maintenance.

Nourish the Soil

It isn't a secret that watering is necessary for plants to grow healthy. However, there is such a thing as soil that is too wet or too dry. How can you tell if it is one way or the other? Easy, place your finger in the soil (around 1 inch deep). If it feels humid, you leave it alone.

On the other hand, dry soil means you have to pour water. As you water plants, don't spray the leaves, or you might be inviting unwanted pests. Instead, always go for the base, which is closer to the roots.

In addition to water, you should add mulch to keep crops hydrated. A good layer of mulch will not only reduce the amount of water you have to give to your plants but also enrich the soil and prevent weeds from appearing. Moreover, it can also enhance the appeal of all your plants. Chopped leaves, wheat straw, and aged wood chips make great organic mulch.

For indoor planting, you have the alternative to use a potting mix specialized for containers, which allows better nutrient absorption and water drainage. Make sure all containers have a couple of drainage holes, or your produce may spoil before it's ready. Furthermore, if your plants still struggle, they may need extra help from organic fertilizers to keep a steady supply of nourishment.

Growing organic produce at home is not difficult. As long as you know the plants you want and all the factors that come into play to optimize their growth, you will be well on your way to harvesting an abundance of crops. Give it a try, and you will enjoy the fruits of your labor.