5. Mulch, Mulch, Mulch!

You can make mulch from shredded bark, wood chips, torn up newspaper, and even grass clippings. Mulch keeps the weed population down, which means your plants won't have to compete with weeds for food and water. The water around your plants won't evaporate as quickly if mulch is piled around them. This saves on the amount time you have to spend watering your plants.

4. Keep a Compost Pile Going

Don't toss your kitchen scraps in the garbage. Start up a compost pile with them and add in dried leaves, grass clipping, some shredded newspaper, and a little manure. Turn this pile over every week or so, in order to make sure the mixture is decomposing properly. The compost can then be mixed in with dirt around your plants to provide them with extra nutrients.

3. Use Fertilizers when Necessary

Being against fertilizers will sometimes work against you and your garden. There are tons of fertilizer combinations available for different types of plants. Even the poorest soil is able to be made into something that plants thrive in. Fertilizers can even be homemade with a little bit of chicken manure and water, then left to set in the sun for a couple of weeks. The stench is horrendous, but the plants absolutely love it.

2. Keep a Close Watch out for Pests

Insects may be tiny, but they can be detrimental to your garden. Aphids can wipe out an entire section of the garden before you know they are even there. It's a good idea to thoroughly check over each plant at least once a week. If you have a large garden, then do a certain section each day, that way you won't be spending an entire day trying to check every single plant. Controlling pests early in the game is the only way to successfully maintain the number of pests in your garden.

1. Be Knowledgeable about What You've Planted

Knowing the right amount of sun and water your plants need is important for proper growth. It's also helpful to know what type of soil each plant does best in, in case you need to add some compost or fertilizer to the soil.

These tips should get you started in making sure your garden is as productive as it can be. What other tips can you suggest for a productive garden?

Top Photo Credit: Dawniex