Tips For Using Natural Farming In Your Home Garden

Natural farming is a fantastic way to use locally available materials and sustainable practices to grow healthy plants.

Although these practices are usually used on large farms, they can be adapted to much smaller gardens.

Here are some examples of simple things you can do to get started.

1. Compost Kitchen Waste

Turn your kitchen scraps into rich compost. Fruit peels, vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells all make excellent compost materials.

Just mix them in a compost bin or pile and let them break down into nutrient-rich compost for your plants.

2. Use Mulch

Mulch helps keep the soil moist, reduces weeds, and adds nutrients as it breaks down.

You can use dried leaves, straws, or grass clippings from your yard. To keep your plants healthy, spread a layer of mulch around them.

3. Make Your Own Fertilizer

Create natural fertilizers using items from around your home.

You can use food scraps, wild grass, and even animal manure to make bio-active fertilizers.

They are easy to make and usually take only a few weeks to prepare.

4. Collect Rainwater

Set up a rain barrel to catch water from your roof, then use it to water your container garden.

Not only do plants love natural rainwater, but it’s also great for the soil’s microorganisms. We’ll talk more about this in later issues.

5. Plant Companions

Some plants grow better together. For example, tomatoes and basil are great companions.

Basil supposedly helps repel pests that might attack your tomatoes, while enhancing its taste.

However, don’t sweat the small stuff. The main thing is to mix it up by growing an assortment of plants in your garden.

6. Use Natural Pest Control

Instead of using harsh chemicals, try natural pest control methods.

These include keeping plants happy, attracting beneficial insects, and preparing natural solutions to attract, repel, and even kill certain pests.

Or simply use a physical barrier such as insect netting to keep pests away altogether.

7. Wild Vegetation

Wild vegetation creates diversity in your garden and helps attract a variety of beneficial insects.

You can “chop and drop” plants such as comfrey to use as green mulch or soak them in water for a couple of days to create liquid fertilizers packed with nutrients.

💡 Need More Ideas?

You can check out my article on 7 Effective Natural Farming Methods for Beginners. It’s packed with practical tips to help you integrate natural farming practices into your container garden.

Of course, there are so many more ways you can use these practices at home, even if you only have a small garden. So, I know you’ll have fun experimenting as we explore these techniques in future issues.