Fertilize your garden the natural way

It's time to go back to organic methods to improve the soil and grow lush, healthy plants. Thankfully, that's easy to do.

For centuries, gardeners relied on natural nutrient sources such as cow manure. Several decades ago, chemical fertilizers became popular because they were inexpensive and easy to handle; but they also contributed to today's environmental problems.

Green fertilizing involves improving soil by planting specific crops whose roots penetrate the soil, providing thorough aeration. Generally, they are dug into the soil before blooming to enrich it. The results may not be immediate, but in the long run, you'll be rewarded with a healthier garden and know that you're helping the environment.

• Leave small quantities of grass clippings and leaves spread out across your garden and lawn to decompose and enrich the soil.
• Use green fertilization for empty areas and areas with some permanent crops such as strawberries, rhubarb, roses and asparagus.
• Green-fertilizing plants that are sown in the spring should be mowed shortly before they bloom, then chopped up and raked under to enrich the soil with their nutrients.
• Leave green manure plants sown in the fall to stand through the winter and then mow them in the spring.
• Prevent diseases by ensuring that green-fertilizing plants belong to a different plant family than that of the subsequent vegetable crop.
• Plant phacelia in light to heavy soils in spring and summer. It grows quickly, is easy to care for and attracts bees.
• Or opt for black medic and hairy vetch. They're winter-hardy; they're also a good bet for medium-heavy to heavy, or light to medium-light soils.
• Plant lupine from spring to the start of fall to enrich sandy to loamy soils with nitrogen.
• Use forage radish for medium-heavy soils; but don't plant any vegetables from the cabbage family in that soil from then on.