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ventional to organic gardening. The first step in this. transition is improving and maintaining .... Successful organic gardening begins with healthy soils. ...

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MU GuidePage 1HORTICULTURALPUBLISHED BY MU EXTENSION UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURICOLUMBIAmuextension.missouri.edu$. 75G 6220 Printed on recycled paperWhat is meant by organic?Organic vegetable gardening promotes and enhances natural diversity and biological cycles on the farm. Rather than relying on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides organic gardening is based on making the garden selfsufficient and sustainable. Producing vegetables organically is a longterm process that is carried out in stages rather than adopting a single production practice within one growing season. Adopting organic production techniques involves a transition from conventional to organic gardening. The first step in this transition is improving and maintaining soil fertility or quality. Healthy fertile soils are the base of successful organic vegetable production.The soil is a resource that is biologically active and dynamic providing vegetable plants with nutrients water and oxygen. Organic matter (decayed plant material) is an essential ingredient in fertile soils. Organic matter improves soil tilth while preventing soil compaction and crusting. Soils low in organic matter often crust or seal over after a heavy rain which prevents water and oxygen infiltration to the root system of growing vegetables. Organic matter slows erosion of soil and provides a favorable environment for earthworms and beneficial microorganisms. Carbon dioxide from decaying organic matter brings minerals of the soil into solution making them available to growing plants. A target level for organic matter in healthy soil is 35 percent.Sources of organic matterAnimal manures:Where available animal manures are an excellent source of organic matter and nutrients for the soil. Ideally manure should be partially broken down (aged) or composted before application. Composting manure stabilizes the nitrogen and reduces the viability of weed seeeds that may be in the manure. If fresh manure is ...

Source: extension.missouri.edu

 

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