How to Grow Organically

Organic gardening comes down to a few core habits — feed the soil, work with natural pest control, and let a diverse garden do some of the work for you.

Build healthy soil first

Compost, aged manure, and cover crops feed the soil's microbial life, which in turn feeds your plants. Healthy soil structure also holds water better, reducing how often you need to irrigate.

Rotate crops each season

Planting the same crop family in the same spot year after year builds up soil-borne pests and diseases specific to that family. A simple three- or four-year rotation breaks that cycle naturally.

Welcome beneficial insects

Ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps prey on common garden pests. Planting flowers like dill, yarrow, and alyssum nearby gives them a reason to stick around.