The table of contents entries on this page are links to the sections of an essay that overviews of the principles of organic gardening and introduces practical methods. This essay was originally submitted as an independent project in partial fulfillment of the author's Baccalaureate degree requirements at Eastern Oregon University.

Further information, detailed instructions, and suggestions can be found in the resources listed in the Bibliography and Appendices and in other publicly available materials. The interested person is urged to explore these materials and begin implementing the principles of organic gardening. The journey is rewarding.

ORGANIC GARDENING - A DEFINITION
 

Site and Design of the Garden Size Design Protecting the Garden Crop Rotation	CROP SELECTION USDA Hardiness Zones Heirlooms and Open-Pollinated Varieties Specialties	COMPANION PLANTING Repelling Pests with Scent Attracting the Good Guys The Doctor Is In Made in the Shade
SOIL TYPES & PH Healthy Soil Basic Soil Types Soil Spoilers Restoring Life of the Soil Repairing Soil Poor Drainage Soil pH Other Evaluations	COMPOSTING How to Build a Compost Pile What Material to Use What Not to Use The Finished Product	WATER How Much Saving Water Watering Methods
NUTRIENTS Macro nutrients Micro nutrients Deficiency Symptoms Role of Soil pH	WEEDS More than Looks Know the Culprit Controls	PESTS AND DISEASES Steps toward Prevention A Management Plan Cultural controls Biological Controls Physical Controls Chemical Controls
COLD-SEASON GARDENING Appropriate Varieties Outdoor Methods Cold Frames & Cloches Planting	(this cell intentionally blank)	(this cell intentionally blank)

Organic gardening celebrates the garden as part of nature and recognizes that the same cycles of germination, life, growth, productivity, death, and decay that enable forest and wildflower meadow to thrive without human intervention also nourish the vegetables and fruit in the organic garden.

The organic gardener perceives that in the balanced system of soil, microorganisms, earthworms, birds, animals, and plants the addition of synthetic materials or the disruption of the natural cycle can result in a breakdown of the entire system. Therefore, the gardener strives to maintain the delicate balance of the natural system, restoring organic material to replace the plant material that is removed by harvest, encouraging biological diversity of both plants and animals in the soil and surrounding garden area, and minimizing the use of harmful substances--either synthetic or natural.

The organic gardener tries to look at the whole picture--the large system, and cares for the soil, beneficial insects and animals, the air and water, as well as the specific vegetables and fruit being grown for food. She is also concerned for the health of the people who eat the garden produce, an awareness that living, fertile soil produces plants rich in nutrition and life-giving elements and a desire to minimize harmful and questionable substances.

Without a doubt, the sustainable method takes more time and more hard work. Who can not believe it is worth it? The satisfaction and peace of knowing the soil you harvest from today will remain capable of sustaining your grandchildren and their children is reward enough.