Grow a garden naturally: creating an organic kitchen garden is easier than you think

Sunset, March, 2004 by Jim McCausland

J. Peppers (golden bell, green bell, purple bell, red bell, 'Tabasco' hot pepper)

K. Watermelons

L. Tomatoes ('Early Girl', 'Sungold')

M. Kabocha squash ('Orange Sunshine')

N. Pole beans

O. Low-growing sunflowers and zinnias

P. Corn ('Zuccherino')

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RELATED ARTICLE: To keep plants healthy ...

* Attract beneficials. If you encourage them, birds and beneficial insects will devour many insect pests. Make sure they have a recirculating fountain or other source of water and an assortment of flowers for food and cover. We used insectary plants, including herbs like chamomile, fennel, and oregano; and flowers such as bee balm (Monarda), scabiosa, sunflower, and zinnia.

* Encourage pollinators. When squash and melons bloom, pinch off leaves covering the blossoms in order to give pollinators a clear path to the flowers.

* Mulch, always. To help deter weeds and conserve moisture, apply a 2- to 3-inch layer of compost around seedlings.

* Irrigate early. Water in the morning; rising daytime temperatures will dry everything above the surface and help keep disease from taking hold.

* Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation. Because they water plants at soil level, they keep leaves dry.

* Use insecticidal soap. In order to knock down infestations of insect pests such as aphids and whiteflies before their populations boom, apply insecticidal soap. It's sold at nurseries or by mail from Peaceful Valley Farm Supply (for contact information, see page 125). Or apply a gentle insecticide you make yourself. To a 1-quart pump-action spray bottle, add 1 teaspoon each mild dishwashing liquid and cooking oil, then enough water to make 1 quart; shake to mix. Spray affected plants, covering tops and undersides of the leaves. On corn, pour the mixture down into the husks where insects hide. (To help prevent leaf burn, spray in early morning, before temperatures rise, or evening.)

PHOTOGRAPHS BY THOMAS J. STORY