ABOUT THE BOOK

If you are looking for compelling reasons to create an organic garden in your home, you need not look far. Not only does organic gardening produce fruits and vegetables that are more delicious and richer in essential vitamins and minerals, it also goes a long way to reducing consumption of toxic pesticides, chemicals and hormones that wreak havoc on your body and cause higher risk of cancer and other diseases. Furthermore, while relying on store-bought organic produce can be hard on your bank account, growing your own can be very economical and will provide you and your family with endless hours of enjoyment and learning.

And the benefits don’t end there. Conventional farming practices are a major source of environmental problems worldwide, leading to polluted water sources, depleted soils, and the release of harmful greenhouse gasses. Starting an organic garden is a small but very important contribution to the creation of a cleaner, healthier world! Plus just imagine the satisfaction of watching your garden grow, knowing that you and your family are more self-reliant and connected to the natural world.

If you are sold on the reasons to get your garden going but don’t know where to start, this concise guide will help you to form a plan, put it into action, and get your hands in the dirt! Don’t forget to consult the handy references at the end for directions to some more in-depth resources.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Zeya is a native of San Francisco Bay Area and to this day calls it his home. After earning a BA in Modern Literature at the University of California at Santa Cruz, Zeya began building a career in International Development work that allowed him to live and travel extensively in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. In 2011 he completed an MA in International Development from Oxford Brookes University in Oxford, England. In addition to a continued passion for the development field, Zeya is a professional writer and photographer. When not off an adventure, Zeya's passions include sustainable gardening and building, cooking, and restoring old Volvos.

EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK

So where to begin? The desire is there, but what’s the first step?

1. Set Your Goals

With an organic garden, there are a few important questions to ask before diving in. How much time do you have to devote to your new project? How much space do you have available? By addressing these questions at the beginning you can set realistic goals for yourself that will be satisfying to meet. And while you may have visions of a huge productive landscape, don’t be afraid to start small! Even modest beginning projects will equip you with valuable experience to guide you in expanding and improving. In any event, before you start tearing up your lawn it’s a good idea to get clear on your objectives and the resources (time, money, space) you have to devote to them.

2. Site Selection

With your gardening goals in mind (do you want a small garden plot for kitchen herbs? Substantial beds for a hefty vegetable crop?), you can begin selecting a site for you project. Play with different ideas of where a garden would be best situated on your property. Your final decision will be based on the objectives you have laid out for yourself. If you want to grow herbs and vegetables, be sure to select an area that gets at least six solid hours of sunshine a day. Remember that your plants will drown without proper drainage, and avoid choosing a site where water tends to pool.

Some of your considerations may also be aesthetic: if you plan on growing beautiful ornamentals you should consider planting in areas in clear view from your house or patio. You will also want to observe the soil conditions in different areas of your property to assess how much amendment will be needed in different areas (insert link to soil type info). When you have some good ideas about the best places for your organic garden, it’s a great idea to take a day or two to observe your potential areas at different times of day. If you have green-thumbed friends, you could ask one to do quick walk-through with you too and give their thoughts on site locations. Once you have made a final decision, the gardening itself begins!

Buy a copy to keep reading!

Zeya Schindler