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There are many elements to having a great organic garden but if you follow the basics then you can easily grow delicious fruit and vegetables and attractive flowers and plants.

The basics of a successful organic garden are:

• Good quality soil.
• Crop rotation.
• Companion planting.
• Organic pest control.

Good quality soil can be obtained by consistently adding organic matter to the soil. This can be in the form of mulch, well rotted animal manure, organic compost, or worm castings. The latter being particularly beneficial as worm castings (or worm compost as it is sometimes called) are very rich in nutrients.

Crop rotation is important in the vegetable garden as it helps to reduce pests and diseases and prevent the depletion of nutrients and minerals in the soil. The idea is to plant vegetables with the same nutritional and water requirements in the same bed and then move them to a new bed the following year. The nutrients left behind will be of benefit to the next group of plants, which require different nutrients, and they won’t be affected by any diseases left behind as those diseases were targeted at the previous group of veges.

A three year rotation system using three beds is quite common but you can use up to six beds in a six year rotation system. It really depends on how much space you have in your garden and how serious you are about gardening. Gardening Australia has a good fact sheet on crop rotation or you can read about organic gardening here.

Companion planting is used to attract beneficial insects which feed on insect pests, to attract bees to help with pollination, and to attract birds which both feed on insects and pollinate plants. Companion plants also control pests due to their aroma. Strong smelling herbs such as lavender and mint are great at deterring pests as are plants such as fennel, garlic, and onion. The key is diversity. Plant as many different vegetables, herbs, and flowers (flowering plants are very important) in your garden as possible. They will either benefit your garden by aiding the pollination of your vegetables or by controlling pests.

Organic pest control is really a factor of the other three points. If you have good quality soil and practice crop rotation then you will have healthy plants which will be more resistant to diseases and pests. Companion planting and growing a diverse range of plants will deter most pests. Growing what is in season and what is suitable for your climate will also help. You will always get some pests attacking your vegetables but so long as they don’t completely destroy your crops then you can probably live with the odd damaged plant here or there.

Following these simple points should be enough for a beautiful organic garden with lots of flowers of tasty fruit and vegetables.

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