Compost improves the soil's physical properties. Composted animal manures as well as green manure crops also improve the soil. Fertilizers are used by organic gardeners if there is a nutrient deficiency. The difference lies in the types of fertilizers used. Organic fertilizers such as bat guano, blood meal, bone meal, fish emulsion, cottonseed meal, greensand, rock phosphate and soybean meal are organic, naturally occurring fertilizers.
Weed control is accomplished through repeated shallow tilling.
As weeds begin sprouting, the soil is surface where they dry up and die. As desirable plants grow, they shade out additional weed growth. Mulches are also used to prevent weed seed germination and conserve water. Organic gardeners select plant varieties carefully. Disease resistant varieties are important as is crop rotation and garden sanitation.