Before we think of shortcut to creating instant soil fertility with chemicals, why not consider something organic and environmentally friendly?
I'll share my experience creating raised beds using organic growing media.
At the end of February, I shared how I make raised beds. You can read about it HERE. Now, I'll also show you two raised beds I've created that have successfully produced healthy organic vegetables.
At first, this area looked empty. I was still in the process of filling the raised beds with weeds, chopped banana stems, and compost from kitchen waste.
Two weeks later, I started sowing spinach seeds for a quick-harvesting vegetable before planting pumpkins in these raised beds.
Sure enough, in just three weeks, the spinach was ready to harvest. Using organic methods.
Look at this lush green spinach! Meanwhile, I also have a bush of water spinach that I planted in an old gallon jug.
The key secret to organic raised beds is the process of adding layers of growing media. Starting with weeds, then chopped banana stems, and compost. Then, on top, I added a loose planting medium consisting of a mixture of soil, burnt rice husks, and finely fermented goat manure.
This method also conserves a lot of land. Organic materials will create a fertile layer beneath the soil that slowly releases nutrients to the topsoil.
We can also add brown organic materials like dry leaves or grass, used cardboard, and dry twigs. From this organic material, our planting medium will increase, and we won't have to worry about running out of soil.
If you don't have banana stems, you can simply use green leaves, like weeds, to fill the raised bed.
I'm satisfied with the good harvest. Before the caterpillars and grasshoppers attack, I have to harvest the spinach immediately, even though it's less than a month after sowing. The spinach leaves and stems are already large. ❤️
I use fertilizer made from fermented goat manure, which has turned into soil-like granules. Only once, when the spinach is 10 days old.
Well, I don't use any pesticides at all. I focus on strong-smelling plants like basil. I also plant lots of bright flowers to attract pests.
Well, we can grow healthy organic vegetables in our own yards. Happy gardening!
Best Regards,
Anggrek Lestari
Anggrek Lestari is an Indonesian fiction writer who has published two major books. Now She is a full-time content creator. She has a goal to share life, poem, and food content that makes others happy and can get inspiration.
Contact Person: authoranggreklestari@gmail.com
Discord: anggreklestari#3009