First 30 Days of Natural Farming: What Beginners Should Do (Week by Week)

Krittika Das
December 31, 2025

Natural farming doesn’t reward speed.
It rewards attention.

Why the First 30 Days Matter More Than You Think

Most beginners worry about seeds, yield, and harvest.

But in natural farming, the first 30 days are not about crops.
They are about resetting the soil.

At Terragaon Farms, we’ve seen this repeatedly:
Beginners who rush fail quietly.
Beginners who slow down succeed steadily.

The first month decides whether your soil begins healing or continues struggling.

What Changes in Soil During the First Month

When chemicals are stopped, soil enters a transition phase:

  • Microbial life begins to recover
  • Earthworms slowly return
  • Water retention improves
  • Root systems behave differently

The soil may look “inactive,” but life is reorganizing underground.

This is normal.
This is necessary.

Week 1: Stop the Damage, Observe Everything

What to Do

  • Stop all chemical fertilizers and pesticides
  • Stop unnecessary ploughing
  • Walk your field or garden daily
  • Observe soil texture, moisture, smell

What Beginners Learn

Healthy soil smells earthy, not sour.
Hard soil softens when watered gently.

👉 Do not add anything yet.
The soil needs rest before support.

Week 2: Cover the Soil (Mulching Begins)

What to Do

  • Apply mulch using:
    • Dry leaves
    • Straw
    • Crop residue
    • Cut grass
  • Cover soil lightly, not thickly

Why This Matters

Mulch:

  • Protects microbes from heat
  • Reduces watering needs
  • Prevents erosion
  • Feeds soil slowly

At Terragaon Farms, bare soil is treated as a problem, not a practice.

Week 3: Introduce Gentle Biological Support

Optional (If Available)

  • Apply diluted jeevamrit to soil
  • Treat seeds with beejamrit
  • Add small amounts of compost

Important:
These inputs do not feed plants.
They feed soil life.

What Beginners Notice

  • Improved moisture retention
  • More insects (this is a good sign)
  • Less plant stress during heat

Week 4: Plant Slowly, Diversify Early

What to Do

  • Plant mixed crops, not monocultures
  • Avoid planting everything at once
  • Use local, open-pollinated seeds if possible

Why Diversity Matters

Diversity:

  • Reduces pest pressure
  • Improves soil resilience
  • Balances nutrients naturally

Nature dislikes uniformity.
Natural farming respects that.

Common Beginner Mistakes in the First Month

❌ Expecting Immediate Growth

Natural farming works underground first.

❌ Overwatering

Mulched soil holds moisture longer.

❌ Panic Over Insects

Insects mean ecology, not failure.

❌ Comparing with Chemical Farms

Timelines are different. Results are deeper.

What Success Looks Like After 30 Days (Realistic Expectations)

Do NOT expect:

  • Maximum yield
  • Fast growth
  • Perfect leaves

DO expect:

  • Better soil moisture
  • Stronger root systems
  • Less stress in plants
  • Improved soil texture

These are foundational wins.

Can This 30-Day Plan Work for Home Gardeners?

Yes.

The same principles apply to:

  • Balcony gardens
  • Kitchen gardens
  • Pots and grow bags

Mulch, observation, and patience scale perfectly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I apply jeevamrit in the first week?
No. Allow soil to rest first.

What if plants look slow?
Slow growth early often leads to stronger plants later.

Can I fail in the first 30 days?
You can only fail by rushing.

Final Thoughts: The First Month Is About Trust

Natural farming teaches beginners something rare in modern life. Trust the process.

The first 30 days are not about control. They are about cooperation.

At Terragaon Farms, we don’t ask soil to perform immediately. We give it time to remember how to function. And once it does – everything else becomes easier.