There are five basic steps to follow when starting an organic garden using companion planting. The terms may be new to you, but they are really easy to learn and understand. Creating an organic garden using companion planting is challenging, but once you apply the principles you learn and get it right, you will be so inspired to always eat organic. Companion planting is a way of combining vegetables, herbs and flowers to increase the yields of your crops. Companion Planting creates an ecosystem in the garden that keeps the bugs and pests away, naturally. Planting Cabbage with Onion and Chamomile is an effective trio to keep the bugs away.
Organic gardening relies on companion planting as a way to control insects, pests and disease naturally. Learning which plants compliment each other, which antagonize each other and how plants benefit each other from growing in close proximity is a journey of amazing discovery. Your organic garden will look aesthetically pleasing and produce incredibly nutritious vegetables, herbs and flowers for you to enjoy. Make sure to adjust all planting to suit your local conditions and the prevailing weather.

Following these 5 steps will start your journey to a successful organic gardening and companion planting experience.

1. Observation & Layout for Organic Vegetable Garden

Once the location for your garden has been chosen, make sure that it gets enough sun. The organic vegetable garden needs 6-8 hours of sunlight to grow a successful and high yielding vegetable, herb and flower garden. Morning sun is vital to success in warming up the soil for germination. If there is not enough sunlight, there will not be enough heat from the sun to warm the soil to help germinate the seed to grow into a seedling.

2. Organic Vegetable Garden Soil
Healthy soil assists nutrients to develop in abundant in the vegetable we will eat.

Not all soil is equal. Find out what type of soil you have. Is it Clay, Sandy, Loamy? Take the soil test
What color is your soil? What does healthy soil look like? How to sustain the nutrition levels in the soil to get that bumper crop, naturally. How does it smell? Good soil has a sweet and earthy smell. Naturally, you have to consider how you will sustain the nutrition levels in the soil to get that bumper crop. There are various soil improvement techniques that you can use to assist your soil to be fertile and healthy.

3. How to Water Organic Vegetable Garden
Importance of Water

Organic vegetables need a steady supply of water. For successful results, the soil should be kept moist but not saturated. Never allow the soil to dry out. Keep the organic vegetable garden close to a water source or plan a way to carry water to the site. If it is convenient, harvest as much rainwater as you can to feed your organic garden. It is free and freely available - you just need to channel it. Water the organic garden consistently and it will provide plump and delicious vegetables.

4. Organic Vegetable Garden Seeds
What about seed?

Always look for organic seed when starting an organic vegetable garden. Many of the commercial seed are F1 hybrids which means they have been engineered by seed growers or they are GMO seed, which are even more manipulated than hybrid seeds. In places with a short growing season, start the organic seed in seedling trays or buy them from a reliable nursery. Some seed needs to be sown direct, while other seed like tomatoes, green pepper and lettuce need to be started in seedling trays.

5. Companion Planting Vegetable Garden
How to integrate companion planting in organic vegetable garden

An easy way to stay natural and organic is to implement companion planting. This means that you can use flowers and herbs to neutralize bugs and pests in your vegetable garden. Companion plants assist each other in nutrient transfer in the soil. Herbs like Thyme, Rosemary and Mint can be used to keep gardens pests at bay, and are useful for adding flavor to you favorite dishes. Any organic vegetable garden that is started with companion planting or an existing garden that implements companion gardening, can exist without pesticides and produces improved crops yields.

Author's Bio

Jeannine Davidoff is a mother, artist, writer, organic gardener, permaculture consultant, yoga teacher, freelance journalist living in Scottburgh, South Africa. My 21st century focus is on communicating knowledge and sharing my art. I have a blog that shows my collection of growing art, poetry and writings. I have a companion planting blog that describes individual plants,how they grow, their companion plants and antagonists, their herbal uses and nutiritional value.
In a series of articles, I'll explain How to Start an Organic Garden in 5 Important Steps. How to intergrate Organic Gardening with Companion Planting. What organic means and the benefits of having an organic garden companion planting.

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