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Organic farming techniques refer to the methods utilized by organic farmers to replace the use of herbicides, chemical pesticides, and artificial fertilizers. Besides not utilizing chemicals in farming, these techniques also refrain from utilizing mechanical devices too. The organic farmer instead opts for more natural and traditional methods of farming that have minimal impact on the environment. Here are several organic farming techniques that are often employed in this form of agriculture.

One of the most fundamental organic farming techniques is crop rotation It refers to the practice of growing different crops on the same farming land for each subsequent season.

This technique allows the soil to remain fertile as it prevents the depletion of nutrients. It also protects the soil from the accumulation of weeds, pests, and pathogens. It also helps natural predators that eat pests in the farm by giving them a diverse habitat and food sources. For this method, a specific crop will not be planted again within the same land for a minimum of 3-4 years. The rotation also involves a period wherein grass is allowed to grow, and a legume crop is planted, to replenish and build up the fertility of the soil.

Composting is also one of the vital organic farming techniques. It refers to the method of employing rotten plant and animal residues as a natural fertilizer. Some of the materials that are used to make compost include leaves, fruit peelings, and animal manures. Aside from improving the fertility of the soil, composting also enhances it by improving its structure, improving its ability to hold water, and by reducing pests and diseases in the crop. Furthermore, composting is way cheaper than artificial fertilizers which do not improve the soil structure.

The final example of organic farming techniques is mulching. It refers to the method of covering the ground with a layer of organic materials like compost, manure, straw, dry grass, leaves, and crop residues. Some of the benefits of mulches are decreasing water loss from evaporation, adding organic matter to it, reducing weed growth, improving soil structure, preventing soil erosion, supplying it with nutrients, preventing soil erosion, and increasing microorganisms in the top soil.