The Top 8 Organic Gardening Basics: How to Start an Organic Garden
Jul 18th 2025
As gardeners are becoming more aware of the harms of chemical fertilizers and synthetic pest controls, they are increasingly turning to organic gardening methods. Organic gardening produces healthier plants in a chemical-free garden and is easier on the environment, which is crucial for sustainable gardening. Not only does organic produce have an excellent taste, but it is also more nutritious. In this gardening method, chemicals don't pollute groundwater, biological diversity is increased, topsoil is generated, and water is conserved. Organic gardening is like a cycle. You feed the soil, the soil feeds your plants, and the plants feed you.
What is organic gardening, what are its rules, and how to start an organic garden?
In this guide, our experts aim to provide you with all the information you need to get started with your organic garden. Let's discover the steps to eliminate harmful chemicals and cultivate nutritious, better-tasting, less toxic food from a chemical-free garden.
What is Organic Gardening?
Organic gardening is a sustainable approach to gardening in harmony with nature. Nature doesn't use harmful chemicals to control pests and weeds, nor does it disrupt the soil. Organic gardening involves using natural solutions for pest control, weed control, irrigation, fertilizers, and amendments for soil and plants. This gardening approach avoids all synthetic methods that may be potentially harmful to the environment, humans, and animals.
In-ground beds, containers, or raised garden beds, growing an organic garden means creating a healthy ecosystem for plants, pollinators, and beneficial insects. Organic gardening is more sustainable and eco-friendlier because it improves soil health, conserves water, grows flavorful produce, supports biodiversity, and reduces pollution.
Essential Garden Tools Needed to Start an Organic Garden
Below are some essential garden tools every organic gardener should have.
8 Steps Toward Growing an Organic Garden
Organic gardening is a fun experience, but there are some basics of this gardening you should know before getting started. Here are those eight basics to creating a successful organic garden.
1. Get a Soil Test and Build Healthy Soil
Soil is the foundation of a productive organic garden and is regarded as a living ecosystem. Therefore, the first step in transitioning to organic farming is to test your soil, understand its composition, amend it as needed, improve its health, and prepare it for planting. You can have your soil tested at a local extension office or through a private company. From the soil test results, you will learn about the soil's pH levels and its basic texture. Additionally, you'll learn how many nutrients your soil already contains and which nutrients it lacks.
Plants grown in poor soil are stressed, making them weak and vulnerable to pest and disease attacks. On the other hand, healthy soil offers several benefits, including improved water retention, reduced water usage, decreased runoff, enhanced plant growth, healthier yields, and numerous other benefits.
Native soils are typically amended with organic matter to support the growth of plants and soil microbes. Organic soil amendments include compost, grass clippings, aged manure, straw, fallen leaves, and shredded bark.
2. Composting
Homemade compost is the best soil amendment and soil conditioner. It helps with soil aeration, improves soil structure, contains essential nutrients, and is rich in beneficial soil organisms.
It is super easy to start your compost pile at home by using organic materials from your kitchen and yard, such as food scraps and plant debris. Create a compost pile to recycle kitchen scraps, garden waste, and other organic materials into nutrient-rich garden compost. Compost is abundant in micronutrients as it encourages the growth of beneficial organisms.
3. Use organic Seeds and Plants
Another main aspect of organic gardening is choosing organic seeds and plants. When purchasing seeds or transplants, get the ones with the "Certified Organic" label, which indicates they meet quality standards set by the USDA National Organic Program. Also, choose disease-resistant varieties. Organic seeds are non-GMO and have not been treated with synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers.
Moreover, always buy organically raised transplants or start your own. Most commercially grown transplants are raised in a chemical-rich environment.
4. Fertilizing Your Garden
Plants require primary nutrients, such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), along with secondary nutrients and minerals, to reach their full potential. When growing an organic garden, always use organic fertilizers like Organic Nutrients Frass Fertilizer, Vital Fish Powder, High-Nitrogen Bat Guano, or Concentrated Archipelago Organic Fertilizer.
There are numerous types of organic fertilizers, each with a range of nutrient contents and uses. There is no need to use synthetics since they destroy soil bacteria and provide your plants with a "quick fix" rather than a steady source of organic nutrients. Make sure to apply only the recommended amount.
Organic fertilizers include:
Plant-based Fertilizers: Alfalfa meal, kelp meal, cottonseed meal, wood ash
Animal-based Fertilizers: Liquid fish, fish meal, blood meal
Natural Inorganic Supplements: Azomite, rock dust, greensand
Animal-based Manures: Composted manure, chicken manure, horse manure, worm castings, frass fertilizer
5. Rotate plants every year and Practice Companion Planting
Crop rotation is a common practice in organic food production. If this isn't your first gardening year, be careful where you grow your plants. Do not plant the same crops in the same garden bed every year. Growing the same plants in the same area for several years can lead to soil depletion, weakened plants, lower yields, and an increase in pest and disease problems.
The best method to rotate crops is to group them by family, as related crops will have similar problems. For example, don't plant peppers, eggplant, and potatoes in the same spot where you grew tomatoes last year, as they are all members of the nightshade family. Legumes , such as beans and peas, fix nitrogen in the soil, which benefits the crops that grow in the same location the following year.
Companion Planting
Companion planting is another technique of organic gardening that benefits from positive relationships between certain plants. This technique is used in vegetable gardens. Some plants help each other grow well when they are planted together. Planting basil next to tomatoes enhances their flavor and repels bugs. Similarly, marigolds will deter pests from your beans.
In contrast, certain plant combinations can also result in poor performance. So, find out which crops grow best together and then plant them to create a healthier and more productive garden. You can plant an insect habitat and attract beneficial insects to your garden with the companion planting approach.
6. Use Organic Pest Control Methods
Organic gardeners use organic pest control methods instead of chemical pesticides. The goal is to control the pests enough so that they don't cause serious damage to plants. Garden pests can cause significant damage to the garden by feeding on plants, which can weaken or kill them and introduce infection.
Identify the pest you are targeting, then use one of the following natural pest control methods.
Use Physical Barriers: Place barriers, such as row covers and cutworm collars, over raised beds or in-ground vegetable rows to protect your plants from pests, especially when the plants are young and vulnerable.
Attract Beneficial Insects: Draw natural predators like ladybugs, lacewings, beetles, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps to help control pests. Certain plants, such as white alyssum, dandelion, coriander, fennel, and yarrow, attract these beneficial insects.
Pest-resistant Plant Varieties: Some plant species are more pest-resistant than others, so include these varieties in your organic garden.
Use organic products: Opt for natural alternatives, such as insecticidal soap spray, horticultural oil, diatomaceous earth, or create your own homemade remedies using ingredients like garlic or chili pepper.
7. Check your Plants for problems daily
Walk around your garden daily to check your plants for any signs of problems. Many problems can be avoided before they become too large to handle if detected early enough. Leaves reveal a lot about a plant's health. Look under leaves for pest eggs and remove them immediately before they hatch. Also, look for brown leaf edges, curling, yellowing, and white patches.
Moreover, clean your garden and remove all the debris at the end of the season. Dead and diseased plant material can harbor pests and diseases that survive the winter and return to bother your plants next season. Immediately remove infected plants and clean up spent plants.
Organic gardeners must be aware of all the things going on in their gardens and their plants' health. Regular checking will help you manage a sustainable garden and connect to nature.
8. Avoid Synthetic Fertilizers, Chemical Pesticides, and Herbicides
In organic gardening, it is crucial to avoid using chemical fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides, as they can be harmful to humans, pets, and wildlife.
Chemical-based remedies can be toxic if used in edible gardens, and they can kill pets and wildlife. Synthetic fertilizers can burn plant roots, add to global greenhouse emissions, cause a buildup of salts in the soil, affect beneficial microbes, and disrupt the soil ecosystem. Therefore, remove all chemicals from your garden and use organic remedies. If you have any leftover chemicals, take them to the hazardous waste collection day at your local transfer station for safe disposal. Removing these garden chemicals from your yard also reduces the likelihood that you will use them.
While you should not use chemicals in the garden, this does not mean your plants are left to manage themselves on their own. Use the above organic methods and consider using these homemade insecticide sprays and weed killers.
When it comes to weeds, don't use those toxic, cancer-causing herbicides in a vegetable garden. There are better organic ways to control these unwanted plants while keeping humans, pets, and wildlife safe. Some organic weed control methods include applying mulch to the top of the soil, hand-pulling weeds with a hand weeder, using a homemade herbicidal spray, and companion planting.
How to Start an Organic Garden
You know the basics and rules of organic gardening, so let's explore the process of starting a garden.
Select the Right Location: Choose a garden area that receives ample sunlight. Most vegetables require 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily, so ensure the location you choose provides this amount of light. Additionally, select a spot with good drainage and easy access to water.
Prepare Soil: This is the most important step. Take some time to prepare your soil before planting. You can amend your soil by adding compost, aged manure, shredded leaves, and other soil amendments to improve soil fertility and drainage. Test your soil to determine its nutrient composition and ensure it has the right balance of all nutrients your plants need.
Choose Organic Seeds and Plants: Start your garden with organic seeds or plants because they are free from synthetic pesticides and herbicides. Before starting to throw seeds or transplants in your beds, plan out what crops you want to grow, what crops are perfect to be grown in your climate, and the growing requirements of each plant. Choose plants that will thrive in your growing zone.
Certified organic seeds are not treated with pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or synthetic fertilizers. They are also non-GMO, as genetically modified seeds are highly prohibited in organic farming.
Start Small: If you're new to gardening, begin with a small, organic garden without overcomplicating it. Select a few plants that are easy to grow, such as herbs, leafy greens, radishes, cucumbers, or tomatoes, and focus on nurturing them to grow well. You can expand your garden and plant more things as you go forward in your gardening journey.
Water Wisely: Organic gardening encourages gardeners to conserve water, which is highly important for our environment. Using water-efficient drip irrigation to water your plants deeply will help you save water, energy, and time. The goal is to be wise about how much water you use and make sure your plants receive the right amount of water.
Water deeply but less frequently, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. This can only be achieved with drip irrigation. Finally, always try to water your plants in the morning to save water from evaporation.
Practice Regular Maintenance: When growing an organic garden, regularly inspect your plants for pests and diseases and treat them organically using methods such as natural sprays, companion planting, or introducing beneficial insects. Remove dead plants and plant debris from your garden at the end of the season to prevent pests and diseases from overwintering. Regular garden upkeep will help keep your plants thriving.
The Bottom Line
Organic gardening is an eco-friendly way of producing food. It creates a garden environment that is safe for humans, wildlife, and pets. Whether you want to connect with nature, be more self-sufficient, or only enjoy higher-quality home-grown food, starting an organic garden could be the most rewarding, satisfying hobby you've ever tried. Gardens provide a place to experiment, learn, and have fun. It doesn't matter if you start with a small garden bed or change your entire backyard because organic gardening doesn't need to be complicated.
So, put on your gardening gloves and start organic gardening.