Posted by Eileen in
Getting started on 04 24th, 2009 |
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Have you ever wondered why your grandma’s tomatoes are delicious red orbs and yours are a complete failure? Or perhaps you have never grown veges before and it all seems a mystery. The secret to having green thumbs is that there is no secret. It’s true that some gardeners are naturally gifted with plants, but it is equally true that everyone else can develop the skills and knowledge to successfully grow food. Organic/biodynamic growing is not complicated but there is a lot to learn if you are starting from scratch. Like any new skill, start out with the basics and then move on to the next stage when you are ready. We are going to develop this site with staged learning in mind.
Let’s start with four tips for gardening success:
1. Prepare the ground by building up soil fertility
Before you plant your vegetables, add some goodness to your soil by:
- Applying biodynamic preparation 500
- Digging in compost or worm castings
- Growing and digging in a green manure crop -a mixture of grain and legume plants e.g. wheat and broadbeans
2. Start with what grows easily in your area
You need to choose plants that grow well in your soil type and climate. For example, raspberry canes won’t grow well if you live in a tropical area. So be realistic. Ask neighbours and community gardeners for advice on the best plants for your locality.
3. Plant vegetables in their correct growing season
Ensure that you plant vegetables in the right season. For example, tomatoes and cucumbers thrive in summer, but they won’t grow in winter.
4. Use the biodynamic planting calendar
An important part of biodynamic gardening is to select optimum sowing and planting times. The easiest way to do this is to follow
Brian Keats’ Astro Calendar
Follow these four basic tips and you’ll be on track for a successful vegetable patch.
Backyard Biodynamics is a place where you can learn, share and be engaged by biodynamic gardening in your own backyard. 