Part One of My Organic Gardening Adventure- by Susan Tucker

This year, with new baby in tow, my family and I decided to start an organic garden. I don't consider myself an environmentalist, just a concerned mom. There is nothing like feeding a growing tot to make you aware of the things we are putting in our bodies.

After picking a sunny spot in the corner of the backyard - making sure the sprinklers reached it (I'm not a good waterer, but I'll save that for another post) - we marked off the size (11 x 16) and set off to find a tiller (Home Depot - $35).

I remembered that Lee Hill Peat offered 10% off when you mentioned Boulder County Home & Garden Magazine, so we took the topper off the truck and headed that way. The fella there was quite helpful in assisting us on how much compost to get and promptly loaded up the back of the truck. Total needed 1 truck full ($31).

Thank goodness the weather was nice that day, because I have to tell you, loading up a wheel barrel and transfering dirt to the farthest corner of the yard is hard work! My husband, brother and I all rotated job duties between tilling, filling and dumping. Several hours in we had a nicely plowed plot, plumped with delectable soil. How satisfying!

We have discussed which herbs and vegetables we'd like to eat and since the official last frost date of May 15th is just now upon us we have set some time for later in the week to buy them (next year we'll start from seeds). I've laid out the plans and just can't wait to get the plants into the ground.

In the meantime, I've detailed a plan of action for the remainder of the summer:

1. Research organic pest control; I've read that garlic spray, soap bars, human hair, natural predators such as ladybugs and wasps can all be effective methods.
2. Concoct organic fertilizer; apparently my compost pile could work as a natural fertilzer, as well as manure and even companion planting.
3. Weed, weed, weed.
4. Water
5. And, EAT. This of course, will require researching lots of recipes to insure we don't tire of eating tomatoes (again).

I know this is only the beginning of what I hope to be an annual treat. I'm prepared to learn all I can about gardening organically and am sure it's just a figure-it-out-as-you-go kind of thing. I'll keep you posted on the progress!