What is Organic Gardening?
It is the careful use of techniques and products that maintain soil health without the use of synthetic pesticides or synthetic fertilizers; increasing the bio-diversity in the garden as well as not exposing humans, animals and the multitude of life in a garden to toxic elements. An organic program supports healthy plants; and healthy plants are less susceptible to pests and diseases.
Organic Approach
From design to installation, Gardens for Texas uses an organic approach to gardening. We prefer to work with nature in our design process, our soil improvement program, and our plant selection.
Organic soil installation
One of the most important aspects of our installation process is preparing the soil for planting. We add a generous amount of compost to increase the bio-diversity of the existing soil therefore providing a healthy environment for growth. In addition we use native or adapted plants in our design process.
Soil, along with water, air, and sunlight, is one of the basic building blocks of life. Healthy organic soil is a balance of physics, chemistry and biology. It is a mixture of minerals, organic matter, living organisms, water and air. Healthy soil is aerated, rich in organic matter, and alive with insects, earthworms, and microscopic plants and animals. It is well drained, moist, and rich in a variety of minerals and nutrients.
Plant Nutrition
Once we have chosen the right plants and given them a healthy place to thrive, we focus on the plant's nutrition. All of our fertilizers are organic and depending on the time of year, we vary our method of distribution: from spreading granular fertilizer to spraying compost tea. We do not use chemical herbicides/weed killers, we prefer instead to manage weeds by suppression.
Healthy Ecosystem
Organic land care techniques have been in practice since humans started farming. We recognize that all things are interconnected. Every land use decision you make will have either a positive or negative effect on the land that is in your care. At Gardens For Texas we strive to “do no harm” as well as working to preserve / improve the diverse ecosystems nature has provided.
Process
Our process includes adding four inches of high quality organic compost to every bed we prepare may it be for seasonal color, shrubs or ground cover. We till in an organic fertilizer with the compost helping to enrich the planting areas. After we install the plants, we add a generous layer of mulch which will help with keeping the soil moist, prevent weed growth and decomposes to release nutrients back into the earth.
