Mulching

Mulching serves several purposes in organic production including reducing weed growth, conserving soil moisture and nutrients, regulating soil temperature, helping prevent soil erosion, and reducing water splashing on plants (which keeps them cleaner and reduces the spread of disease).

An added benefit comes from organic mulch: As it decomposes, it increases the amount of organic matter in the soil. Almost any organic matter can be used successfully as mulch. This can include things such as old hay, straw, leaves, sawdust, paper, or bark. Avoid materials that may have a lot of seed such as fresh-cut hay or overgrown grass clippings. Fresh material, particularly sawdust, can rob your soil and thus your plants of nitrogen. In addition, avoid organic material that may be contaminated with toxic chemicals or herbicides because these may damage your plants.

Mulches should not be applied too early in the spring because this can delay soil warming. Wait until the soil is 65 degrees F to a depth of 4 inches before applying. Solid materials such as newspapers should be weighted with soil to prevent them from blowing away. Weed control with mulches may require the continual addition of new material to smother weeds as they emerge. Keep all mulches 2 to 3 inches back from the stems of plants.

Wheat straw makes for good mulch in the garden. If you cannot find wheat straw, ask your local nurseryman about a good substitute.

Fertilization

You must have accurate information about your soil to fertilize properly. First, the pH of the soil is important in determining nutrient availability to the crop. Optimum pH for most vegetables is between 6.0 and 6.5. Irish potatoes are a notable exception with a desired pH of 5.0 to 5.5. Soil testing is the only accurate method of determining the soil pH. Such tests will offer recommendations on the amount of lime to apply if the soil pH is too low. Approximately 1 ton of lime is required to raise the pH of an acre 1 point. This is about 5 pounds per 100 square feet. The actual amount of lime required, however, will vary based on soil texture, the crop grown, and the buffering capacity of the soil.

In order to determine proper fertilization, it is important to know the nutrient status of the soil, which a soil test will provide.

Your Local Cooperative Extension service can provide you with information on soil testing.

After receiving the results from your soil test, apply organic fertilizers in amounts as indicated. Subsitute any commercial fertilizer recommendation with organic. And remember, you may not need to apply near as much of an organic fertilizer as you would a synthetic. Organic fertilizers are much more readily available and absorbed by the plants roots - just as organic vitamins are to people, vs. synthetic vitamins. Likewise, the nutrients in the organic vegetables you grow will be much more available to your body than those which have been grown non-organically (with synthetic fertilizers and toxic chemicals).