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Our readers have expressed a new-found interest in creating their own organic garden from the comforts of their backyard. Especially after I published my article about Michelle Obama’s organic garden.

So, as a result, I wanted to share a few of my favorite tips for starting a garden that is organic, sustainable and earth-friendly.

There are numerous benefits to planting your own organic garden at home: First and foremost, you are able to eat the freshest, local, organic fruits, herbs and vegetables around, while at the same time, you act to help reduce the amount of pesticides and toxic chemicals in the environment. And, as organic fruits, herbs and vegetables can tend to be more costly in the supermarket, now is a great time to explore creating your own delicious organic produce at home.

Here is my list of tips on how to set up your own organic garden:

Gardening Tip #1 – Take Time to Plan

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Plan your garden before planting your fruits, herbs or vegetables. This will ensure that you reap the best harvest possible. Make a decision on what local fruits, herbs and vegetables grow best in your area and find local sources that sell organic seeds, or you can easily buy organic seeds online.

Do some research. Decide how much space you can use for your garden, and how much money and time you would like to spend. For smaller yards, a container garden works well. You can also make a small herb garden with pots and boxes. By planning you can coordinate what plants grow in the spring, fall, winter and summer to create a year long harvest.

Gardening Tip #2 – Less is More

While it may seem like a good idea to plant every edible plant that you love to eat, it may be better to start with a small, manageable garden in the beginning. In order for you to truly enjoy the benefits of an organic garden, you must be able to control it.

If you plant too many of one plant, you may find yourself selling tomato sauce to all of your neighbors this summer. Start small and expand each season. City dwellers can easily create a small roof-top or balcony garden consisting of pots and raised beds. You can also grow indoors or in a greenhouse during the winter months. For indoor growing I use the aerogarden which works pretty well.

Gardening Tip #3 – Choose Productive Plants

Choose plants that do well in your climate and geography. You can find excellent information on what grows well at your state’s extension office on-line gardening site, nursery, or the local farmers market. Remember, think locally. Nothing can be more frustrating than trying to plant avocados in Maine.

Also, while some plants may grow well in your yard, think about the economics behind what you are planting. Corn, for example is cheap, but is labor intensive. Berries, on the other hand, are quite expensive in grocery stories, and are labor free. They require little money or time to cultivate, and $5 of berry-related supplies can reap over $200 worth of store-bought produce!

Gardening Tip #4 – Share & Barter

If you buy a large packet of seeds and have extras, share with your friends and neighbors. You can also do the same with gardening equipment. By planning and sharing, you can reduce the costs of buying heavy equipment on your own, a process that helps keep overall costs down.

Gardening Tip #5 – Go Organic With Your supplies

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Organic seeds can be bought locally or by mail order. Do not use chemical pesticides, herbicides, or any other synthetic chemicals.

There are many natural products for treating weeds, diseases, pests, and soil issues. These natural products are much safer and better for the environment.

Be sure your planting area will not be contaminated with lawn fertilizer or other chemicals. Try to find organic soil and compost or make your own compost by recycling your food waste.

Gardening Tip #6 – Complement Your Plants

Research traditional methods of natural gardening to grow plants that compliment one another such as permaculture. Beans and squash grow well together, as well as potatoes and corn. Complimentary growing aids in soil nutrients and overall plant success.

Gardening Tip #7 – Have Fun!

You can make gardening an incredibly grounding family affair. Try to have fun and remember, no garden is perfect. Choose some of your favorite plants and enjoy watching their process of growth.

Gardening Resources to Help Get You Started:

Informative Gardening Websites:

• Square-Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew
• You Grow Girl, Informative Blog About Gardening
• GardenWeb – The Internet’s Garden & Home Community”
• Garden Guides: Guide to Container Gardening
• Journey to Forever: Building a Square-Foot Garden

Gardening Books on Amazon:

• The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible by Edward C. Smith
• The Bountiful Container by Rose Marie Nichols McGee & Maggie Stuckey
• Kitchen Harvest: Growing Organic Fruit, Vegetables & Herbs in Containers by Susan Berry

Related Blogposts:

• Eating Late: Does it really matter?
• Organic vs. Locally-Grown: Which is Better?
• Brain Power: Foods & vitamins that’ll give you a boost!