Growing and planting Organic plants in your garden
Vegetables are perhaps one of the simplest plants to grow as they do not demand much skill when compared to other demanding greens. One can find it very relaxing and enjoyable to nurse and watch carrots and cabbages germinating from the soil, until they are grown and ready for consumption.
How much space do I need?
You can grow vegetables practically anywhere as long as you provide the necessary requirements for them to grow with regards to temperature, water and nutrients. You can grow organic vegetables on your balcony or patio, in containers and pots. Ensure that whatever position or wherever you are going to grow the vegetables there will be plenty of sunlight.
How to prepare the organic garden site
You will need to clear the site late winter and just before summer. Till the soil using a garden hoe and add organic matter to help improve drainage. The organic matter will also bring in useful nutrients which encourages root growth. Use a fine spray to water the tilled soil and let the water drain. Sow the seed after this.
Sow your seed
You can start sowing your seed indoors depending on the particular variety that you have. If you are going to start indoors to transplant later fill a seeding tray with potting soil to about a centimeter from the top. Avoid sowing the seed in the garden soil which is too hard and contains pests and diseases. Sow the seed into the soil and ensure that the soil is kept wet until the seed has germinated. You can cover the tray with a plastic to create a mini-greenhouse effect.
Caring for your garden
Remove all weeds and do not allow the garden to be overcrowded. Irrigate as soon as the soil is dry 1,25cm below the surface but do not soak the soil as this is harmful for the growing plant. Vegetables can be harvested after 3 weeks depending on the particular species in question.
Why garden organically
Traditional organic growing methods result in hearty disease resistant plants. Organically grown seeds are seeds that are produced without pesticides, herbicides or any form of synthetic fertilizer. When buying organic seeds look for the OPAM seal of approval.
General Information on Organic Vegetables
| Variety | Days to maturity | Start indoors | Sow direct to garden | Plant spacing (cm) | Row spacing (cm) | Container Type |
| Basil Genovese | 85 | Yes | No | 30 | 30 | Yes |
| Bean Contender | 55 | No | Yes | 15 | 60 | No |
| Beetroot Detroit Dark Red | 50-60 | No | Yes | 8 | 30 | No |
| Carrot Berlikum | 55-65 | No | Yes | 5 | 30 | No |
| Cucumber Supermarket | 55-70 | Yes | Yes | 30 | 120 | No |
| Eggplant Long Purple | 75 | No | Yes | 45 | 60 | Yes |
| Garden Cress | 14 | Yes | Yes | 8 | 30 | Yes |
| Lettuce - Butterhead | 60-65 | No | Yes | 20 | 45 | No |
| Lettuce Red Salad | 51 | No | Yes | 20 | 45 | No |
| Marjoram ( Herb) | 70 | Yes | Yes | 30 | 30 | Yes |
| Onion Evergreen Bunching | 60-75 | Yes | Yes | 5 | 30 | No |
| Oregano - Vulgar (Herb) | 70 | Yes | Yes | 30 | 30 | Yes |
| Pea Mammoth Melting | 65 | No | Yes | 10 | 75 | No |
| Pepper Golden California Wonder | 75 | Yes | No | 45 | 60 | Yes |
| Radish Saxa | 20-25 | No | Yes | 5 | 30 | No |
| Tomato | 65-80 | Yes | No | 60 | 60-90 | Yes |
| Watermelon Crimson Sweet | 80 | Yes | Yes | 3 plants per hill | 150-180 | No |
| Zucchini Black Beauty | 52 | Yes | Yes | 3 plants per hill | 150-180 | No |