Successful organic vegetable gardening depends on good quality seed and seedlings. Good quality seeds mean that they are free from chemical treatment or that they are not GMO (Genetically Modified Seed). If given a chose, buy Organic Vegetable Garden Seed from companies like Aimers Organics and Burpee® to name a few. Decide what vegetables you love to eat? Do you like lettuce? Cucumbers? Basil? Parsley? Potatoes? Tomatoes? Kale? Green peppers? What vegetables and herbs would compliment the recipes that you cook with? Planning this will give you direction on the list of seeds that is needed for the project. Which seeds and seedlings to use is an essential part of planning the gardening process by examining the companion planting recommendations.
Most plants can be started from seed, though some plants, like mint and comfrey do best propagated by cuttings or root division. Most vegetable crops are grown either directly in the garden beds or in seed trays till they are big enough to be transplanted into the garden beds. Organic vegetable garden seeds like carrots, corn, cucumber, radish and pumpkin should be grown straight into the garden, whereas lettuce and tomatoes you'd start in the trays.
Make sure to adjust all planting to suit your local conditions and the prevailing weather.

How to plant organic vegetable garden seeds

Seeds that are planted directly into the organic garden must be watered and cared for intensively for germination.
Keep the soil beds moist (but not saturated) a day before putting the seed in the ground.
When watering your seedlings, use a watering can, or a misting spray bottle. If the flow of water is too strong, the seed can be washed away, leaving the area barren.
The average planting depth is 2.5 times the width of the seed. If the seed is lying flat, put 2.5 times the depth of soil on top of it
Small seeds like tomato should be lightly covered with soil. Make sure the soil is damp when you plant, and tamp it down once you have put the seed in. (tamp=give soil a light tap to secure the seed in place)
The new seeds need to stay moist, water everyday two days or if in hot conditions water more frequent until the seeds germination.
The top of the soil must not dry out at all. It is too stressful for the seed
Make sure not to over water either. Root rot could set in.
Lots of weed will germinate when your seeds do. Make sure to recognize your crop and know what weeds to pull out.
Always remove weeds close to the seeds that are growing.
Weeds drain nutrients out the soil. Take care to remove the weeds by the roots. First cut off roots, add greens to your soil as green mulch to give back the nutrients to the soil. (make sure to check weeds to through away and which ones to use)
Consistency is key when watering and weeding the organic vegetable garden seeds. It is important to the success of the seed that will grow into a healthy plants filled with fresh vegetables to eat.
Light mulch (organic matter that decomposes) can be spread around the area where you have planted the seeds. Mulch helps to keep weed germination to a minimal.

How to Transplant Seedlings from indoors to the outdoor garden

If you are transplanting seedlings from indoors, leave the trays of seedlings outside for a day or two to allow the plants to adjust to the outside temperature.
Leave the seedlings outside in natural conditions, makes the transfer into the organic garden soil easier.
The best time to transplant is in the late afternoon or evening. The soil is warm and there is no stress from the hot sun so the seedlings have time to acclimatize overnight.
Keep as much soil around the base/ roots as possible.
The soil must be moist when the transplanting takes place.
Dry soil stress out the seedling
Dig an opening in the ground big enough to make room for a generous scoop of compost and the seedling.
Place the compost then the seedling into the opening. Make sure the soil is damp when you put the seedling into the hole and tamp it down once you have put the seedling in. (tamp=give soil a light tap to secure the seed in place)
Seedlings can be easily moved or misplaced in the soil if not tamped down by water or wind.
The top of the soil must not dry out at all. It is too stressful for the seedling
Make sure not to over water either. Root rot could set in.
Water the soil deeply.
Distribute mulch and or compost around the seedling. Be careful that the mulch and or compost Does Not Touch the stem which is the base of the seedling.
It is too strong and will burn the seedling.
The water must soak in deep, giving the seedling a boost to acclimatize and grow.
Water the seedlings well for the next 2-4 days until they acclimatize, then water them once a week. Read more on How to Water Organic Vegetable Garden.
There will be seedlings that go through transplant shock. Be prepared. Be patient.
The seedlings normally recover from transplanting them in a day or two.

Weeds in the organic vegetable garden

Weeds take on a role as indicators of what is missing in the soil. They grow where a lack of nutrient appears.
Lots of weeds will grow around your seedlings. Make sure to remove all weeds that grow close and around the seedling as it grows and matures into a plant.
Weeds drain nutrients out the soil. Take care to remove the weeds by the roots. cut off roots, add greens to your soil as green mulch to give back to the soil. (make sure to check weeds to through away and which ones to use)

Heritage Heirloom Seeds

There has been a large debate over the last decade around the world about "Our Seed Issue". Seed giants have been altering the genetics of seed for years even though it is now proven to be unsuccessful. (GMO seeds = Genetically Modified Seed). Article of Interest: Genetically Modified Seeds: Women in India take on Monsanto: The way to food security
There is a world wide movement that is part of the "Heritage Seed" preservation. Heritage seed is not tampered with, making it viable, reliable and high yielding. Take a look at some seed sharing networks and companies which specialize in growing organic or heritage seed. Seeds of Diversity is a Canadian volunteer organization that conserves the biodiversity and traditional knowledge of food crops and garden plants in Native North America.
Always save a few seeds from your companion plants to grow in the next season, especially if they are organic or heritage seed.

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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