Because of an alarming condition of our atmosphere these days and the impact of technological innovations have on our health, everything seems to be resorting to a more viable option – organics. From foods to even hobbies like gardening, organics had definitely taken the limelight.

Nowadays, one of the gradually emerging lucrative activity for hobbyist, and environmentalist for that matter, is organic gardening. It slowly replaces the traditional type of gardening that involves harmful chemicals that speed up the destruction of our Ozone layer.

Organic gardening, basically, refers to one type of gardening that deviates from the customary use of chemicals like fertilizers and pesticides. Because of these, many agriculturists contend that engaging into organics gardening makes one in synchrony with nature.

The basic notion of organics gardening boils down to the fact that it is best to feed the soil and not the plant. Thus, we can hypothetically say that, in organic gardening, it is the soil that needs more nourishment than the plants, or simply because it’s from the soil that the plants obtain their nourishment. A healthy soil yields a healthy plant, so to speak.

In organic gardening, the basic concept of “fertilizing” the soil is to use organic materials like composts and manures. When fertilizing the soil, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you use fertilizers. In fact, fertilizers were primarily denoted as anything that increases the soil’s fertility.

Hence, organic gardening is a way of going back to the basics, the traditional use of basic fertilizers that increases the soil’s capability to enrich the plant. In this manner, the grower uses minerals like calcium coming from the fossils of dead animals, nitrogen from legumes or manures, phosphorus from bones of dead animals, and potassium from wood ashes.

On the other hand, organic growers also consider

composts of other living things like vegetables or plants when incorporating the idea of organic gardening. Its by-product is known as the humus, which is definitely good for the soil. In organic gardening, humus is an important element in plant production because it contains cellulose that performs like a sponge and retains moisture in the soil so that it will be made available for the plants as they grow.

Moreover, organic gardening incorporates the traditional way of controlling animal pests like physical removal of insects, crop rotation, interplanting, and introduction of prey species. These methods lessen the growth of insects and curb the multiplication of pests. It also impedes the development of diseases that were emphasized by “agribusiness monocropping”.

In addition, organic gardening employs the typical suppression of weeds and vegetables pests without having to opt for herbicides. In this organic gardening method of removing weeds, “mulches” are placed on the weeds to prevent them from obtaining the amount of light they need in order to grow. These mulches act as barriers for weeds and vegetable pests. They come in different forms like leaves, stones, wood, or straw.

In general, the technique of organic gardening lies on two agricultural concept: permaculture and biodynamic agriculture.

Permaculture or permanent culture refers to that area in agriculture wherein certain ecological principle, “shared ethics” like earth care and people care, and design tools are used so as to gain sustainable development in plants. On the other hand, biodynamics agriculture is composed of a biological at the same time sustainable system of agricultural assembly.

With these two concepts, we can safely derive the fundamental idea of organic gardening as a system based on environmental, sustainable, and ethical principles of man.

So, we now know for a fact that organic gardening is definitely a lot better than what science and technology teaches us these days.

The only drawback is that it is science that taught us the basic ways on how to care for the environment in the first place, and yet, it is also the same mentor who is teaching us how to employ concepts that eventually leads to nature’s destruction. Isn’t it ironic?

For most of us, gardening means two things: a) farm and b) soil. Hardly anybody knows that a nature-filled activity doesn’t have to be that far and tedious, and can actually take place at the heart of the dirty metro, right in the comforts of your condominium.

There are people who resort to other types of gardening especially when their vicinity calls for it. Most people who live in a condominium, hotel, or any place that is not suitable for the usual way of gardening go for some container gardening.

Container gardening is suitable for some indoor gardening. Through this, people can grow flowers and vegetables in their doorstep, deck, terrace, or lanai. Container gardening is applicable to just about any place that can be a great spot for a practical and pleasing presentation.

However, container gardening still requires the element of light coming from the sun so as to grow a healthy plant. That’s why it’s a must for a person who wants to try container gardening to consider light as the primary factor in gardening.

Container gardening, as the name suggests, uses containers instead of the usual seedbed or area typically used for backyard gardening. Barrels, hanging baskets, bowls, crocks, boxes for plants, flowerpots, sacks, bowls or peat moss containers are some of the containers that can be used in container gardening.

In choosing containers for container gardening, there are certain factors that need to be considered. Any containers can be used as long as it can provide good drainage. Containers with tight opening should be avoided.

When considering the material used in the make-up of the container, it’s best not to use terracotta pots and bargained plastic pots. Terracotta pots can dry out fast and becomes brittle; while plastic pots may weaken when exposed to sunlight.

The plant selected establishes sizes of containers that are to be used in container gardening. These containers should provide enough space for the plants to develop and grow roots.

The next thing to consider in container gardening is the mixture of soil. The soil mixture should be well ventilated and fluffy. It should be easy to drain excess water at the same time maintain abundant moisture. The soil mixture should be rich in nutrients.

Good soil mixtures can also impede root rot trouble. Root rot problem can be avoided if the same soil mixture is used all throughout the container.

According to some container gardening experts, soil mixtures or “soil less” mixtures bring about the best results. These soil mixtures can be obtained from commercial garden centers. Some of the soil mixtures that are used in container gardening are Metro Mix, Pro-Mix, Redi-Earth, Jiffy Mix, and Super Soil.

However, for budget conscious people who still want to try container gardening, you can opt for a more affordable soil mixtures. That is, you’ll make your very own soil mixtures.

Homemade soil mixtures are composed of one part of sharp sand or vermiculite, one part potting soil, and one part compost. If you’re thinking of a hanging basket for your container gardening, the soil mixture is more of lightweight materials. The mixture is composed of equal parts of vermiculite, peat moss, and perlite.

Generally, since container gardening uses containers that have holes for water drainage, water retention is not that high. That’s why container gardening involves a lot of watering especially during the hot season.

Fertilizers are also important in container gardening. Though, this must be applied in considerable proportions since overuse of fertilizers can do more harm than good. Too many fertilizers may smolder and destroy your plants.

The last thing to consider is the type of plant you will use in your container gardening. Basically, container gardening doesn’t need a special type of plant. In fact, plants that grow in a typical backyard garden can also be used in container gardening.

If you would like to grow vegetables, you may opt for green onions, beans, lettuce, eggplant, tomatoes, squash, parsley, radishes, and peppers. These are the vegetables perfectly fitting for container gardening.

If you want some flowers, you can go for Dusty Miller, Geranium, Begonia, Candytuft, Chrysanthemum, or Shasta Daisy. Any type of flower is suitable for container gardening.

You can also grow herbs in containers like basil, anise, dill, coriander, and chervil. You may also want to try growing chives, mint, tarragon, thyme, fennel, and caraway. Using herbs in container gardening will not only offer you with a beautiful display but can also provide you with useful herbs you can instantly use in your cooking. What’s good about that is that you get it fresh and absolutely free.

That’s why most people who go for container gardening do not only see this as a hobby or a recreational activity. Most of them realize that this can also be profitable and practical. Vegetables and herbs that grow in containers can be instant sources of ingredients in your recipes.

So, for people who still don’t know the benefits container gardening brings, now is the time for you to find it out.

Container gardening is definitely a feasible activity that brings about a thousand benefits right in the heart of the busy metropolis.