“Americans today spend less on food, as a percentage of disposable income, than any other industrialized nation, and probably less than any people in the history of the world.”
-Michael Pollan “The Omnivores Dilema
I had some time to kill. Waiting for a friend. I went into the nearby CVS hoping to find a magazine that discusses our current “Green” revolution. If only it really were. I quickly found a popular science magazine with a cover featuring “The Future of the Environment.” It covers some wonderful futuristic ideas for sustainability. The current reality though is that companies are buying Carbon credits for trees that have not yet been planted so they can evade the taxes meant to preserve our ecosystem. The FDA has turned the once powerful idea of Organic Certification into a very profitable marketing tool that provides little to no protection for our ecosystem.
The calories we are consuming require more and more calories for their production and therefore a bigger and bigger negative impact on the environment. I had the opportunity recently to travel to Northern California with the Culinary Institute of America. Our trip was part of the California Food & Wine Seminar in the interim of the seventh and eighth semesters of the Bachelors program. Each student chose their own focus for a four page research paper to be part of a larger four person group project. My focus is on the differences between Organic and Sustainable. There is currently no Sustainable Certification recognized by the USDA. The "Organic" certification is designed to favor the commercial farm instead of the original virtues behind the organic movement.
Take for example somewhere like Earthbound Organics. “Organic lettuce.” Twenty thousand acres of machine fed, pruned and harvested lettuce. Their size alone forces them to spray with layers of “Organic” pesticides. Mono-cropping such as this removes specific nutrients faster from the earth. Oil by-products are then required to “fix” the soil. After using copious amounts of fossil fuel power instead of man power they can sell their product down a long chain and across long distances only to undersell the guy who grew his sustainably down the street from where it is being sold. The simple fact that a field can be injected with fertilizers to make products grow does not mean the land is being sustained.
Produce grown with synthetic fertilizers is less nutritious than if grown with composted soil. I almost wanted to say natural soil there, but the term natural has become dishonest as there is no regulation guiding the use of the term. Today you can buy all sorts of “All Natural” products but the term is only a marketing tool. Science has proven that these products are not nearly as healthy as they claim to be. The laws of false advertising do not seem to apply to the food we eat. Is not our health and survival the primary concern in life? With the frantic pace of the world economy, many age-old values are being lost. As Wendell Berry says in his essay “The Idea of A Local Economy:”
A total economy is one in which everything—“life forms,” for instance,—or the “right to pollute” is “private property” and has a price and is for sale. In a total economy significant and sometimes critical choices that once belonged to individuals or communities become the property of corporations. A total economy, operating internationally, necessarily shrinks the powers of state and national governments, not only because those governments have signed over significant powers to an international bureaucracy or because political leaders become the paid hacks of the corporations but also because political processes—and especially democratic processes—are too slow to react to unrestrained economic and technological development on a global scale. And when state and national governments begin to act in effect as agents of the global economy, selling their people for low wages and their people’s products for low prices, then the rights and liberties of citizenship must necessarily shrink. A total economy is an unrestrained taking of profits from the disintegration of nations: communities, households, landscapes, and ecosystems. It licenses symbolic or artificial wealth to “grow” by means of the destruction of the real wealth of all the world…
This may seem like a pessimistic view but it is all too true in the modern market. This battle has been fought for decades and will probably continue for many more.
The organic revolution began back in the nineteen forties with Organic Gardening and Farming magazine. Its goal was to move away from the idea that plants only require NPK (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium) and instead require the full spectrum of life death and decay that is the composting process. On April 20, 1969 a group known as the Robin Hood Commission took over a plot of land belonging to the University of California. Their goal was to create a model organic agrarian system. They would be raising a truly sustainable system and distributing its produce to the poor. It was this type of awareness that empowered the organic revolution. Much more than just a standardized set of fertilizers it represented an attunement with the essential needs of society.
When the organic standards list was released in 1997, the list of acceptable products included genetically modified crops as well as irradiation and sewage sludge. Today the list has been revised to allow such synthetic additives as ascorbic acid and xanthan gum. Bleach and ethanol are both on the list or permissible products as well. Many regulations for the treatment of animals for food have been set in such a vague manner as to have no impact whatsoever. For example the USDA finally ruled that dairy cows must have “access to pasture” in order to be considered organic. Sounds nice, but it means simply that at some point in the cows life the owner must provide them access to somewhere outside of a building for a minute or so. The same is true for chickens. Organic free-range chickens means that they are not kept in individual cages but instead in massive layers with access to the outside. Michael Pollan visited Petaluma Poultry and gave this description upon visiting what he says look like military barracks:
“I donned what looked like a hooded white hazmat suit—since the birds receive no antibiotics yet live in close confinement, the company is ever worried about infection, which could doom a whole house overnight—and stepped inside. Twenty thousand birds moved away from me as one, like a ground hugging white cloud, clucking softly. The air was warm and humid and smelled powerfully of ammonia; the fumes caught in my throat. Twenty thousand is a lot of chickens…sipping from waterers suspended from the ceiling, [nibbling] organic food from elevated trays connected by tubes to a silo outside, and [doing] pretty much everything chickens do except step outside the little doors located at either end of the shed.”
The doors lead into a fifteen foot wide grassy yard outside the shed—which none of the chickens have ever been seen in. This is far from the picturesque farm depicted on most organic products and far from what most people would consider truly organic. At the 2000 inaugural speech, USDA Secretary Glickman went out of his way to point out that “The organic label is a marketing too, it is not a statement about food safety. Nor is ‘organic’ a value judgment about nutrition or quality.” So if the government is not going to provide us with a reasonable food system what can we do?
Education plays an essential role in the future of sustainability and agriculture. Billions of dollars are spent annually convincing civilization that they want to live on Big Mac’s and carbonated corn soda. The reality is by the time we are actually old enough to be in charge of our own food supply we have been fairly well saturated with these messages. Therefore, it seems to be more prudent to bring the youth to farms and involve them with their own food choices. They then can understand what they are eating as well how we can produce it in synchronization with nature. Once that stream of thought expands into enough people, we will return to understanding the earth and how we can live in symbiotic agricultural harmony. Places like the Center for Land Based Learning (CLBL) and the Farm Based Education Association provide such experience and are essential to the future of our food system and health. The CLBL focuses on High School students in order to shape the way people think about the earth its role in the production of our food system. Some of these people may not go into the industry. Some may become farmers themselves. Some could even become the politicians who design a future farm bill. With our current agri-business model, farming is becoming just like any corporation where the bottom line is the only thing in sight. The business people do not know what organic really means, much less do they care about their impact on the earth. It may be difficult to argue with the millions of dollars these businesses bring home but if these ideas are imparted at an early age we may have a better chance to realize the destruction that comes with that profit and therein a better chance to really save the earth and the people it supports.
Bonsai Gardening Secrets. Discover Over 95 Pages Of Insider Secrets To Creating Stunning Bonsai Trees. Click Here!
Worlds Best Compost. Make The Worlds Ultimate Natural Fertilizer, Colloidal Humus, Without Bins, Turning Or Odor. Click Here!
The Complete Grape Growing System. A Complete System With E-book And Audio Book To Help You Grow Grapes The Correct Way. Click Here!
How To Start Beekeeping. Want To Start Beekeeping? This New EBook Reveals It All. Start Keeping Bees This Season! Click Here!
Orchid Care Expert - A Practical Guide. The Most Practical Guide To Orchid Care To Be Found On The Internet. Click Here!
Organic Food Gardening Beginners Manual. 87 Page Step-by-step Gardening Manual For Beginners To Learn How To Grow Their Own Healthy, Organic Food - Saving Money And Eating Chemical Free! Great Bonuses With This E-manual. Revised Edition Just Released.
Click Here!
Forceful Orchid Fertilizers: Homemade Recipes. Know How To Feed Your Orchids To Quickly Get Astonishing Results. Click Here!
The Hypertufa How-To Manual. 100 Page EBook On How To Make Garden Art Objects From Hypertufa. Easy To Follow Instructions & Expert Advice. Click Here!
Homemade Hydroponics. Hydroponics Secrets Shows You How To Grow The Plants, Fruits And Vegetables -even In Limited Space--without Using Soil. Pays 75% Commission With Excellent Conversion Rates. Click Here!
Bonsai Gardening Secrets. Discover Over 95 Pages Of Insider Secrets To Creating Stunning Bonsai Trees. Click Here!
Forceful Insecticides Home Made Formula. Discover Secret Informations That Big Multinationals Dont Want You To Know! Click Here!
Showing posts with label Organic Gardening Benefits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Organic Gardening Benefits. Show all posts
Tuesday, 23 December 2008
Make a Basket Trellis
Make a Basket Trellis
Decide from what materials the trellis will be constructed. Common trellis materials are treated wood, copper or even PVC pipe.
Purchase copper pipe and pressure treated wood at any home improvement store such as Lowe's or Home Depot. Have the store cut the lengths of pipe and wood to size.
Drill four 5/16-inch holes partially through the top post cap to affix the four pieces of copper pipe.
Continue to drill a 5/8-inch hole through both ends of each piece of wood about 1/2-inch from the bottom.
Slide the pieces of wood down alongside the copper pipe to a point where the smaller ones are first and larger further down.
Bolt the pieces together with appropriate hardware and place in the project area.
Create as many of these simple trellises as the project calls for.
Affix as many baskets as desired by hanging from the wood slat support pieces.
Things You’ll Need:
Copper piping
Pressure treated 1-inch by 2-inch wood (as needed)
One pressure treated post cap
Wire
Bolts
Tips & Warnings
Plant morning glory vines along a trellis for another attractive look.
Use a trellis to hold and nurture a grapevine.
Twist the copper piping into differing shapes and adhere the wood in uncommon ways for a trellis with a different style.
Use all caution when using power tools and saws. Wear eye protection and gloves.
Bonsai Gardening Secrets. Discover Over 95 Pages Of Insider Secrets To Creating Stunning Bonsai Trees. Click Here!
Worlds Best Compost. Make The Worlds Ultimate Natural Fertilizer, Colloidal Humus, Without Bins, Turning Or Odor. Click Here!
The Complete Grape Growing System. A Complete System With E-book And Audio Book To Help You Grow Grapes The Correct Way. Click Here!
How To Start Beekeeping. Want To Start Beekeeping? This New EBook Reveals It All. Start Keeping Bees This Season! Click Here!
Orchid Care Expert - A Practical Guide. The Most Practical Guide To Orchid Care To Be Found On The Internet. Click Here!
Organic Food Gardening Beginners Manual. 87 Page Step-by-step Gardening Manual For Beginners To Learn How To Grow Their Own Healthy, Organic Food - Saving Money And Eating Chemical Free! Great Bonuses With This E-manual. Revised Edition Just Released.
Click Here!
Forceful Orchid Fertilizers: Homemade Recipes. Know How To Feed Your Orchids To Quickly Get Astonishing Results. Click Here!
The Hypertufa How-To Manual. 100 Page EBook On How To Make Garden Art Objects From Hypertufa. Easy To Follow Instructions & Expert Advice. Click Here!
Homemade Hydroponics. Hydroponics Secrets Shows You How To Grow The Plants, Fruits And Vegetables -even In Limited Space--without Using Soil. Pays 75% Commission With Excellent Conversion Rates. Click Here!
Bonsai Gardening Secrets. Discover Over 95 Pages Of Insider Secrets To Creating Stunning Bonsai Trees. Click Here!
Forceful Insecticides Home Made Formula. Discover Secret Informations That Big Multinationals Dont Want You To Know! Click Here!
Decide from what materials the trellis will be constructed. Common trellis materials are treated wood, copper or even PVC pipe.
Purchase copper pipe and pressure treated wood at any home improvement store such as Lowe's or Home Depot. Have the store cut the lengths of pipe and wood to size.
Drill four 5/16-inch holes partially through the top post cap to affix the four pieces of copper pipe.
Continue to drill a 5/8-inch hole through both ends of each piece of wood about 1/2-inch from the bottom.
Slide the pieces of wood down alongside the copper pipe to a point where the smaller ones are first and larger further down.
Bolt the pieces together with appropriate hardware and place in the project area.
Create as many of these simple trellises as the project calls for.
Affix as many baskets as desired by hanging from the wood slat support pieces.
Things You’ll Need:
Copper piping
Pressure treated 1-inch by 2-inch wood (as needed)
One pressure treated post cap
Wire
Bolts
Tips & Warnings
Plant morning glory vines along a trellis for another attractive look.
Use a trellis to hold and nurture a grapevine.
Twist the copper piping into differing shapes and adhere the wood in uncommon ways for a trellis with a different style.
Use all caution when using power tools and saws. Wear eye protection and gloves.
Bonsai Gardening Secrets. Discover Over 95 Pages Of Insider Secrets To Creating Stunning Bonsai Trees. Click Here!
Worlds Best Compost. Make The Worlds Ultimate Natural Fertilizer, Colloidal Humus, Without Bins, Turning Or Odor. Click Here!
The Complete Grape Growing System. A Complete System With E-book And Audio Book To Help You Grow Grapes The Correct Way. Click Here!
How To Start Beekeeping. Want To Start Beekeeping? This New EBook Reveals It All. Start Keeping Bees This Season! Click Here!
Orchid Care Expert - A Practical Guide. The Most Practical Guide To Orchid Care To Be Found On The Internet. Click Here!
Organic Food Gardening Beginners Manual. 87 Page Step-by-step Gardening Manual For Beginners To Learn How To Grow Their Own Healthy, Organic Food - Saving Money And Eating Chemical Free! Great Bonuses With This E-manual. Revised Edition Just Released.
Click Here!
Forceful Orchid Fertilizers: Homemade Recipes. Know How To Feed Your Orchids To Quickly Get Astonishing Results. Click Here!
The Hypertufa How-To Manual. 100 Page EBook On How To Make Garden Art Objects From Hypertufa. Easy To Follow Instructions & Expert Advice. Click Here!
Homemade Hydroponics. Hydroponics Secrets Shows You How To Grow The Plants, Fruits And Vegetables -even In Limited Space--without Using Soil. Pays 75% Commission With Excellent Conversion Rates. Click Here!
Bonsai Gardening Secrets. Discover Over 95 Pages Of Insider Secrets To Creating Stunning Bonsai Trees. Click Here!
Forceful Insecticides Home Made Formula. Discover Secret Informations That Big Multinationals Dont Want You To Know! Click Here!
Water conservation
The green industry is constantly focusing more and more on environmentally friendly production practices and products. More and more companies are developing new innovative products to target the environmentally focused consumer. Whether backed by sales targets or quotas positive change and more "green" products is good relating to the environment. Many of these new innovative products can even help you, the end consumer save money Want to start saving today? Here’s an affordable and eco-friendly idea: have you considered adopting rain barrels into your backyard or home decor?
So what is a rain barrel?
Rain barrels are basically rain collectors that are placed at the base of your down spouts around your home. If you have ever noticed how much rain water pours out of these spouts during a severe storm, you can see the potential that this product offers. And the advantages are simple: during a storm these barrels fill up, when it comes time to water your grass again, you can attach your hose directly to the barrel. These rain barrels have the ability to hold a significant amount of water, many can hold between 60-100 gallons! With this product you save in numerous ways: watering grass is expensive, you will notice a drastic decrease in your monthly water bill with the usage of this product.
Furthermore, grass replacement can be expensive and labor intensive. The use of a rain barrel to water your lawn ensures that your lawn is watered, even during a dry spell (when water restrictions are in effect), which keeps your grass staying healthy and green. Lastly, the accumulation of water around the foundation of a home can be risky. Many of the down spouts found around homes, direct water into a pool, which then seeps into the ground and can potentially cause major problems with leaky basements and water damaged foundations.
Rain barrels are not only enviro-wise, but some new models incorporate a modern look, which can make for a very stylish piece of garden décor for your backyard or property landscape. Take the positive step towards environmental stability, conserve water, and have a positive impact on the environment. Make a rain barrel a part of your home today!
Bonsai Gardening Secrets. Discover Over 95 Pages Of Insider Secrets To Creating Stunning Bonsai Trees. Click Here!
Worlds Best Compost. Make The Worlds Ultimate Natural Fertilizer, Colloidal Humus, Without Bins, Turning Or Odor. Click Here!
The Complete Grape Growing System. A Complete System With E-book And Audio Book To Help You Grow Grapes The Correct Way. Click Here!
How To Start Beekeeping. Want To Start Beekeeping? This New EBook Reveals It All. Start Keeping Bees This Season! Click Here!
Orchid Care Expert - A Practical Guide. The Most Practical Guide To Orchid Care To Be Found On The Internet. Click Here!
Organic Food Gardening Beginners Manual. 87 Page Step-by-step Gardening Manual For Beginners To Learn How To Grow Their Own Healthy, Organic Food - Saving Money And Eating Chemical Free! Great Bonuses With This E-manual. Revised Edition Just Released.
Click Here!
Forceful Orchid Fertilizers: Homemade Recipes. Know How To Feed Your Orchids To Quickly Get Astonishing Results. Click Here!
The Hypertufa How-To Manual. 100 Page EBook On How To Make Garden Art Objects From Hypertufa. Easy To Follow Instructions & Expert Advice. Click Here!
Homemade Hydroponics. Hydroponics Secrets Shows You How To Grow The Plants, Fruits And Vegetables -even In Limited Space--without Using Soil. Pays 75% Commission With Excellent Conversion Rates. Click Here!
Bonsai Gardening Secrets. Discover Over 95 Pages Of Insider Secrets To Creating Stunning Bonsai Trees. Click Here!
Forceful Insecticides Home Made Formula. Discover Secret Informations That Big Multinationals Dont Want You To Know! Click Here!
So what is a rain barrel?
Rain barrels are basically rain collectors that are placed at the base of your down spouts around your home. If you have ever noticed how much rain water pours out of these spouts during a severe storm, you can see the potential that this product offers. And the advantages are simple: during a storm these barrels fill up, when it comes time to water your grass again, you can attach your hose directly to the barrel. These rain barrels have the ability to hold a significant amount of water, many can hold between 60-100 gallons! With this product you save in numerous ways: watering grass is expensive, you will notice a drastic decrease in your monthly water bill with the usage of this product.
Furthermore, grass replacement can be expensive and labor intensive. The use of a rain barrel to water your lawn ensures that your lawn is watered, even during a dry spell (when water restrictions are in effect), which keeps your grass staying healthy and green. Lastly, the accumulation of water around the foundation of a home can be risky. Many of the down spouts found around homes, direct water into a pool, which then seeps into the ground and can potentially cause major problems with leaky basements and water damaged foundations.
Rain barrels are not only enviro-wise, but some new models incorporate a modern look, which can make for a very stylish piece of garden décor for your backyard or property landscape. Take the positive step towards environmental stability, conserve water, and have a positive impact on the environment. Make a rain barrel a part of your home today!
Bonsai Gardening Secrets. Discover Over 95 Pages Of Insider Secrets To Creating Stunning Bonsai Trees. Click Here!
Worlds Best Compost. Make The Worlds Ultimate Natural Fertilizer, Colloidal Humus, Without Bins, Turning Or Odor. Click Here!
The Complete Grape Growing System. A Complete System With E-book And Audio Book To Help You Grow Grapes The Correct Way. Click Here!
How To Start Beekeeping. Want To Start Beekeeping? This New EBook Reveals It All. Start Keeping Bees This Season! Click Here!
Orchid Care Expert - A Practical Guide. The Most Practical Guide To Orchid Care To Be Found On The Internet. Click Here!
Organic Food Gardening Beginners Manual. 87 Page Step-by-step Gardening Manual For Beginners To Learn How To Grow Their Own Healthy, Organic Food - Saving Money And Eating Chemical Free! Great Bonuses With This E-manual. Revised Edition Just Released.
Click Here!
Forceful Orchid Fertilizers: Homemade Recipes. Know How To Feed Your Orchids To Quickly Get Astonishing Results. Click Here!
The Hypertufa How-To Manual. 100 Page EBook On How To Make Garden Art Objects From Hypertufa. Easy To Follow Instructions & Expert Advice. Click Here!
Homemade Hydroponics. Hydroponics Secrets Shows You How To Grow The Plants, Fruits And Vegetables -even In Limited Space--without Using Soil. Pays 75% Commission With Excellent Conversion Rates. Click Here!
Bonsai Gardening Secrets. Discover Over 95 Pages Of Insider Secrets To Creating Stunning Bonsai Trees. Click Here!
Forceful Insecticides Home Made Formula. Discover Secret Informations That Big Multinationals Dont Want You To Know! Click Here!
Thursday, 18 December 2008
Organic gardening
At its root there's a lot of overlap between organic gardening and sustainable gardening - organic gardening seeks to minimise the use of man-made chemicals and industrial agriculture techniques, while sustainable gardening seeks to minimise long-term detrimental environmental impact. This is not quite the same thing despite a large overlap in techniques used, though on a systemic level the impact on the environment are similar between the two.
Organic gardening requires considerably more planning than regular gardening, but with the right combination of plants, land use management and biological pest control it can involve a lot less manual labour than regular gardening techniques.
Organic Garden Fertilizer
All gardens need fertilizer, but organic gardening presents a bit more of a challenge as the goal is to not use chemicals for fertilization.
Luckily there are plenty of things you can use for an organic garden fertilizer that are good for the environment as well as your plants.One thing you want to do first, though, is to have your soil tested. How do you know what type of fertilizer is needed if you dont know the quality of your soil in the first place? You can usually bring a soil sample to your local garden center and find out what types of nutrients it is lacking.There are 3 main nutrients needed in a good fertilizer - nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Most organic fertilizers are high in one but low in the other two, so a balance needs to be made between the 3. The exception to this is probably manure, whichis more balanced in all 3 nutrients but doesnt really have a high nutrient content to begin with.Some people consider compost to be a good organic garden fertilizer, but I consider it to be more of a soil conditioner. It does have nutrients, and I do think it is important to till it into your soil, but I also think you need to use a fertilizer in addition.Organic fertilizers actually need the organisms in the soil to break down the nutrients. For this reason, they require moist warm soil.But they also might not work as quickly as your plants need them so you need to apply them early. On the other hand, because they do break down slowly, you run less of a risk of the plants burning from too much fertilizer.There are plenty of organic fertilizers that you can buy for your garden. You can get anything from rooster poop to fish emulsion. The thing you need to keep in mind is the particular nutrient that it is high in and the crops you intend to grow. Different plants, at different stages will need more of different nutrients. For example, lettuce family plants, leeks and onions prefer a fertilizer high in nitrogen. Root crops like potatoes and carrots like to have phosphorus. Tomatoes and fruits like a lot of potassium.Using a good organic fertilizer will help your plants thrive. Check with our local garden center to see what they have on hand for the kinds of vegetables you will be planting, then sit back and watch your garden grow!Organic Gardening Compost - Tips For Perfect Soil Conditioner
Making your own compost is a great way to have a nutrient rich conditioner for the soil in your organic garden and it really isnt that difficult to do. In fact, making organic gardening compost can be very rewarding since you are using things that might have gone in the trash to add life to your garden. Its recycling at its best!
You can buy composting bins or you can simply make a pile in your yard. One thing you want to be sure of is that you set aside a specific place for your compost pile. You need to be able to access it readily as you will have to turn the pile periodically, unless you have a specially made device that uses tray or has a turning mechanism.
You want to include a good variety of kitchen scraps as well as leaves and clipping from your yard and garden. Be sure to only include organic scraps from the kitchen else you might pass on some toxins or pesticides from your non organic foods. Also, dont add any diseased plants to the pile as it could carry through and infect your garden when you add the compost. Dont use any meats or animal fat or bones as this could attract animals to your compost pile.
When starting an organic gardening compost pile, you need to include both green and brown materials in a certain ratio. The green materials include vegetable peelings, garden cuttings and grass clippings. The brown include things like leaves, hay, eggshells and tea bags. Basically, the green materials are live things that contain a lot of nitrogen. The brown materials are dead things which contain a lot of carbon. When added to the pile in a certain ration, the carbon rich and nitrogen rich materials help the pile break down faster. Basically, you want about 3 times as much brown materials as green.
When you start to make your pile, add brown, then green in layers with the brown layers being larger, of course than the greens. As you add each layer, pour on some water - not too much but about enough to make the material about as wet as a damp sponge. Then let it sit for a few days.
You need to turn your compost pile about once a week. Letting the air get in is critical to the composting process. Some people put in bulky materials like straw to allow for some air inside the pile. When you are turning the pile, you will notice that it is much hotter in the middle, sometimes you can even see steam coming off it in the cool of the morning. This is a good sign - it means all the microbes are at work turning your kitchen and yard waste into nutrient packed fertilizer!
So, how do you know when your compost is ready?
The organic gardening compost is ready to mix with your soil when it doesnt look like a rotting pile of scraps anymore. Somewhere during
the process, it will turn into rich, dark, crumbly material that has a pleasant earthy smell. At this point, you can take it and mix it in with your soil
Bonsai Gardening Secrets. Discover Over 95 Pages Of Insider Secrets To Creating Stunning Bonsai Trees. Click Here!
Worlds Best Compost. Make The Worlds Ultimate Natural Fertilizer, Colloidal Humus, Without Bins, Turning Or Odor. Click Here!
The Complete Grape Growing System. A Complete System With E-book And Audio Book To Help You Grow Grapes The Correct Way. Click Here!
How To Start Beekeeping. Want To Start Beekeeping? This New EBook Reveals It All. Start Keeping Bees This Season! Click Here!
Orchid Care Expert - A Practical Guide. The Most Practical Guide To Orchid Care To Be Found On The Internet. Click Here!
Organic Food Gardening Beginners Manual. 87 Page Step-by-step Gardening Manual For Beginners To Learn How To Grow Their Own Healthy, Organic Food - Saving Money And Eating Chemical Free! Great Bonuses With This E-manual. Revised Edition Just Released.
Click Here!
Forceful Orchid Fertilizers: Homemade Recipes. Know How To Feed Your Orchids To Quickly Get Astonishing Results. Click Here!
The Hypertufa How-To Manual. 100 Page EBook On How To Make Garden Art Objects From Hypertufa. Easy To Follow Instructions & Expert Advice. Click Here!
Homemade Hydroponics. Hydroponics Secrets Shows You How To Grow The Plants, Fruits And Vegetables -even In Limited Space--without Using Soil. Pays 75% Commission With Excellent Conversion Rates. Click Here!
Bonsai Gardening Secrets. Discover Over 95 Pages Of Insider Secrets To Creating Stunning Bonsai Trees. Click Here!
Forceful Insecticides Home Made Formula. Discover Secret Informations That Big Multinationals Dont Want You To Know! Click Here!
Organic gardening requires considerably more planning than regular gardening, but with the right combination of plants, land use management and biological pest control it can involve a lot less manual labour than regular gardening techniques.
Organic Garden Fertilizer
All gardens need fertilizer, but organic gardening presents a bit more of a challenge as the goal is to not use chemicals for fertilization.
Luckily there are plenty of things you can use for an organic garden fertilizer that are good for the environment as well as your plants.One thing you want to do first, though, is to have your soil tested. How do you know what type of fertilizer is needed if you dont know the quality of your soil in the first place? You can usually bring a soil sample to your local garden center and find out what types of nutrients it is lacking.There are 3 main nutrients needed in a good fertilizer - nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Most organic fertilizers are high in one but low in the other two, so a balance needs to be made between the 3. The exception to this is probably manure, whichis more balanced in all 3 nutrients but doesnt really have a high nutrient content to begin with.Some people consider compost to be a good organic garden fertilizer, but I consider it to be more of a soil conditioner. It does have nutrients, and I do think it is important to till it into your soil, but I also think you need to use a fertilizer in addition.Organic fertilizers actually need the organisms in the soil to break down the nutrients. For this reason, they require moist warm soil.But they also might not work as quickly as your plants need them so you need to apply them early. On the other hand, because they do break down slowly, you run less of a risk of the plants burning from too much fertilizer.There are plenty of organic fertilizers that you can buy for your garden. You can get anything from rooster poop to fish emulsion. The thing you need to keep in mind is the particular nutrient that it is high in and the crops you intend to grow. Different plants, at different stages will need more of different nutrients. For example, lettuce family plants, leeks and onions prefer a fertilizer high in nitrogen. Root crops like potatoes and carrots like to have phosphorus. Tomatoes and fruits like a lot of potassium.Using a good organic fertilizer will help your plants thrive. Check with our local garden center to see what they have on hand for the kinds of vegetables you will be planting, then sit back and watch your garden grow!Organic Gardening Compost - Tips For Perfect Soil Conditioner
Making your own compost is a great way to have a nutrient rich conditioner for the soil in your organic garden and it really isnt that difficult to do. In fact, making organic gardening compost can be very rewarding since you are using things that might have gone in the trash to add life to your garden. Its recycling at its best!
You can buy composting bins or you can simply make a pile in your yard. One thing you want to be sure of is that you set aside a specific place for your compost pile. You need to be able to access it readily as you will have to turn the pile periodically, unless you have a specially made device that uses tray or has a turning mechanism.
You want to include a good variety of kitchen scraps as well as leaves and clipping from your yard and garden. Be sure to only include organic scraps from the kitchen else you might pass on some toxins or pesticides from your non organic foods. Also, dont add any diseased plants to the pile as it could carry through and infect your garden when you add the compost. Dont use any meats or animal fat or bones as this could attract animals to your compost pile.
When starting an organic gardening compost pile, you need to include both green and brown materials in a certain ratio. The green materials include vegetable peelings, garden cuttings and grass clippings. The brown include things like leaves, hay, eggshells and tea bags. Basically, the green materials are live things that contain a lot of nitrogen. The brown materials are dead things which contain a lot of carbon. When added to the pile in a certain ration, the carbon rich and nitrogen rich materials help the pile break down faster. Basically, you want about 3 times as much brown materials as green.
When you start to make your pile, add brown, then green in layers with the brown layers being larger, of course than the greens. As you add each layer, pour on some water - not too much but about enough to make the material about as wet as a damp sponge. Then let it sit for a few days.
You need to turn your compost pile about once a week. Letting the air get in is critical to the composting process. Some people put in bulky materials like straw to allow for some air inside the pile. When you are turning the pile, you will notice that it is much hotter in the middle, sometimes you can even see steam coming off it in the cool of the morning. This is a good sign - it means all the microbes are at work turning your kitchen and yard waste into nutrient packed fertilizer!
So, how do you know when your compost is ready?
The organic gardening compost is ready to mix with your soil when it doesnt look like a rotting pile of scraps anymore. Somewhere during
the process, it will turn into rich, dark, crumbly material that has a pleasant earthy smell. At this point, you can take it and mix it in with your soil
Bonsai Gardening Secrets. Discover Over 95 Pages Of Insider Secrets To Creating Stunning Bonsai Trees. Click Here!
Worlds Best Compost. Make The Worlds Ultimate Natural Fertilizer, Colloidal Humus, Without Bins, Turning Or Odor. Click Here!
The Complete Grape Growing System. A Complete System With E-book And Audio Book To Help You Grow Grapes The Correct Way. Click Here!
How To Start Beekeeping. Want To Start Beekeeping? This New EBook Reveals It All. Start Keeping Bees This Season! Click Here!
Orchid Care Expert - A Practical Guide. The Most Practical Guide To Orchid Care To Be Found On The Internet. Click Here!
Organic Food Gardening Beginners Manual. 87 Page Step-by-step Gardening Manual For Beginners To Learn How To Grow Their Own Healthy, Organic Food - Saving Money And Eating Chemical Free! Great Bonuses With This E-manual. Revised Edition Just Released.
Click Here!
Forceful Orchid Fertilizers: Homemade Recipes. Know How To Feed Your Orchids To Quickly Get Astonishing Results. Click Here!
The Hypertufa How-To Manual. 100 Page EBook On How To Make Garden Art Objects From Hypertufa. Easy To Follow Instructions & Expert Advice. Click Here!
Homemade Hydroponics. Hydroponics Secrets Shows You How To Grow The Plants, Fruits And Vegetables -even In Limited Space--without Using Soil. Pays 75% Commission With Excellent Conversion Rates. Click Here!
Bonsai Gardening Secrets. Discover Over 95 Pages Of Insider Secrets To Creating Stunning Bonsai Trees. Click Here!
Forceful Insecticides Home Made Formula. Discover Secret Informations That Big Multinationals Dont Want You To Know! Click Here!
Grow your own vegetables
How to grow your own vegetables
Simple "How to grow" tips to help grow your own vegetables and fruit with tips on keeping chickens in your garden for fresh eggs. You will save a few pounds and enjoy eating and maybe selling the fruits of your labour.This is a simple mans (me) guide to growing your own fruit and vegetables, if you need more detail or information their are lots of good gardening advice sites on the net.
Preparing and digging the growing area.
I'm assuming you are not going to use Chemical fertilisers or weed-killer, the cost will far negate the savings you are going to make growing your own. The Cottagers didn't use chemicals !! The only sure way to know you are eating chemical free fruit and vedge is to grow your own !! You might want to have a go at companion planting to control garden pests.
Sandy soil is easier to dig but doesn't have as many of the essential nutrients clay soil does so you will need to dig in plenty of compost from your compost heap. Clay soil is harder to dig but most plants do well in it. If the area is water logged you will need to sort it out before you dig it over.
Dig the area over removing as many large stones and weeds as you can, don't try to remove every stone its impossible. Providing the soil breaks up into reasonably small chunks there is no need to rake it over. Weeds that haven't gone to seed can be added to your compost heap. ( Weeds that have gone to seed and Bindweed can be rotted down in a plastic bag and then added to the compost heap )
If you are planning to turn a lawn into a planting area you will need to remove the turf, (this is hard work and if you can wait its easier to cover the area with black plastic until it rots down).If you are going to remove the turf, mark out liftable squares about 2" deep with a sharp spade and scoop the turf off, turn it over and store in a heap in a corner of your garden to turn into loam to be added back to your garden.
SEED BEDS, the areas you are going to sow rows of seed will need to be raked fine before sowing, most seeds are sown direct into the garden but sow a few in trays, the seedlings can be sold at car boots, more than covering the cost of buying the packets of seed in the first place.
Sowing and growing tips.
Broccoli has high vitamin content and anti-cancer agents.The sprouting types are hardy and overwintered for harvest in spring and can be white or purple. Calabrese is harvested in the autumn.
Sow thinly in April and May 1/2 in deep in rows 6in apart. Thin the seedlings to 3in apart. You can sow in March in the milder south and again in June for late cultivars..
Transplant when the broccoli seedlings are about 6in high planting about 18in apart. In dry weather water them well before and after transplanting .The Broccoli will need a good soaking in dry weather and a feed of home made liquid fertiliser now and then will work wonders
Harvest when the flower shoots (spears) are well formed but before the individual flowers begin to open. Cut the central spear first. This is followed by a series of sideshoots, which can be picked regularly for about five weeks.
Cabbages Can be grown to pick throughout the year. spring, summer and winter seeds are available. Spring greens are young spring cabbages Sown mainly in summer, but also all year round.Sow the same as Broccoli above. Spring cabbage: in July/August; transplant in september/October.Summer cabbage from late February/early March (under cloches or similar cover) until early May; transplant in May/June.
Winter cabbages in April/May; transplant in late June/July.
Transplant the young plants as for Broccoli. Compact varieties 1ft apart, larger varieties 18in apart, spring cabbages only 4in apart thin out to 1ft apart from February onwards using the thinnings as your spring greens. Water and feed as for Broccoli
Harvest the Cabbages by cutting through the stem just above ground level at the same time cut a deep cross in the stump and you'll geta second crop of tiny cabbages.
Cauliflowers To grow perfect cauliflowers you'll need a rich and deep soil and there mustn't be a check to growth, so careful planting and watering are essential.Sow thinly 1/2 " deep in rows 6" apart in March and May in a rich and deep soil , Thin to 3" apart when 1" high.
Transplant to growing position when plants have five or six leaves, Water well before and after transplanting. Space 2ft apart or closer for smaller heads. Cauliflowers are hungry so reguraly water and feed with a liquid fertiliser . Important not to check growth regular watering is essential.
Harvest when the heads are firm.
Brussels sprouts
Sow from March to April as for cabbages ,thin out to about 3" apart.
Transplant when 4-6" high about 2.5ft apart in firm soil containing plenty of humus . Important to water well before and after transplanting. Water and feed reguraly with home made liquid fertiliser
Time to pick, Should be just about plump enough for Christmas.
Bonsai Gardening Secrets. Discover Over 95 Pages Of Insider Secrets To Creating Stunning Bonsai Trees. Click Here!
Worlds Best Compost. Make The Worlds Ultimate Natural Fertilizer, Colloidal Humus, Without Bins, Turning Or Odor. Click Here!
The Complete Grape Growing System. A Complete System With E-book And Audio Book To Help You Grow Grapes The Correct Way. Click Here!
How To Start Beekeeping. Want To Start Beekeeping? This New EBook Reveals It All. Start Keeping Bees This Season! Click Here!
Orchid Care Expert - A Practical Guide. The Most Practical Guide To Orchid Care To Be Found On The Internet. Click Here!
Organic Food Gardening Beginners Manual. 87 Page Step-by-step Gardening Manual For Beginners To Learn How To Grow Their Own Healthy, Organic Food - Saving Money And Eating Chemical Free! Great Bonuses With This E-manual. Revised Edition Just Released.
Click Here!
Forceful Orchid Fertilizers: Homemade Recipes. Know How To Feed Your Orchids To Quickly Get Astonishing Results. Click Here!
The Hypertufa How-To Manual. 100 Page EBook On How To Make Garden Art Objects From Hypertufa. Easy To Follow Instructions & Expert Advice. Click Here!
Homemade Hydroponics. Hydroponics Secrets Shows You How To Grow The Plants, Fruits And Vegetables -even In Limited Space--without Using Soil. Pays 75% Commission With Excellent Conversion Rates. Click Here!
Bonsai Gardening Secrets. Discover Over 95 Pages Of Insider Secrets To Creating Stunning Bonsai Trees. Click Here!
Forceful Insecticides Home Made Formula. Discover Secret Informations That Big Multinationals Dont Want You To Know! Click Here!
Simple "How to grow" tips to help grow your own vegetables and fruit with tips on keeping chickens in your garden for fresh eggs. You will save a few pounds and enjoy eating and maybe selling the fruits of your labour.This is a simple mans (me) guide to growing your own fruit and vegetables, if you need more detail or information their are lots of good gardening advice sites on the net.
Preparing and digging the growing area.
I'm assuming you are not going to use Chemical fertilisers or weed-killer, the cost will far negate the savings you are going to make growing your own. The Cottagers didn't use chemicals !! The only sure way to know you are eating chemical free fruit and vedge is to grow your own !! You might want to have a go at companion planting to control garden pests.
Sandy soil is easier to dig but doesn't have as many of the essential nutrients clay soil does so you will need to dig in plenty of compost from your compost heap. Clay soil is harder to dig but most plants do well in it. If the area is water logged you will need to sort it out before you dig it over.
Dig the area over removing as many large stones and weeds as you can, don't try to remove every stone its impossible. Providing the soil breaks up into reasonably small chunks there is no need to rake it over. Weeds that haven't gone to seed can be added to your compost heap. ( Weeds that have gone to seed and Bindweed can be rotted down in a plastic bag and then added to the compost heap )
If you are planning to turn a lawn into a planting area you will need to remove the turf, (this is hard work and if you can wait its easier to cover the area with black plastic until it rots down).If you are going to remove the turf, mark out liftable squares about 2" deep with a sharp spade and scoop the turf off, turn it over and store in a heap in a corner of your garden to turn into loam to be added back to your garden.
SEED BEDS, the areas you are going to sow rows of seed will need to be raked fine before sowing, most seeds are sown direct into the garden but sow a few in trays, the seedlings can be sold at car boots, more than covering the cost of buying the packets of seed in the first place.
Sowing and growing tips.
Broccoli has high vitamin content and anti-cancer agents.The sprouting types are hardy and overwintered for harvest in spring and can be white or purple. Calabrese is harvested in the autumn.
Sow thinly in April and May 1/2 in deep in rows 6in apart. Thin the seedlings to 3in apart. You can sow in March in the milder south and again in June for late cultivars..
Transplant when the broccoli seedlings are about 6in high planting about 18in apart. In dry weather water them well before and after transplanting .The Broccoli will need a good soaking in dry weather and a feed of home made liquid fertiliser now and then will work wonders
Harvest when the flower shoots (spears) are well formed but before the individual flowers begin to open. Cut the central spear first. This is followed by a series of sideshoots, which can be picked regularly for about five weeks.
Cabbages Can be grown to pick throughout the year. spring, summer and winter seeds are available. Spring greens are young spring cabbages Sown mainly in summer, but also all year round.Sow the same as Broccoli above. Spring cabbage: in July/August; transplant in september/October.Summer cabbage from late February/early March (under cloches or similar cover) until early May; transplant in May/June.
Winter cabbages in April/May; transplant in late June/July.
Transplant the young plants as for Broccoli. Compact varieties 1ft apart, larger varieties 18in apart, spring cabbages only 4in apart thin out to 1ft apart from February onwards using the thinnings as your spring greens. Water and feed as for Broccoli
Harvest the Cabbages by cutting through the stem just above ground level at the same time cut a deep cross in the stump and you'll geta second crop of tiny cabbages.
Cauliflowers To grow perfect cauliflowers you'll need a rich and deep soil and there mustn't be a check to growth, so careful planting and watering are essential.Sow thinly 1/2 " deep in rows 6" apart in March and May in a rich and deep soil , Thin to 3" apart when 1" high.
Transplant to growing position when plants have five or six leaves, Water well before and after transplanting. Space 2ft apart or closer for smaller heads. Cauliflowers are hungry so reguraly water and feed with a liquid fertiliser . Important not to check growth regular watering is essential.
Harvest when the heads are firm.
Brussels sprouts
Sow from March to April as for cabbages ,thin out to about 3" apart.
Transplant when 4-6" high about 2.5ft apart in firm soil containing plenty of humus . Important to water well before and after transplanting. Water and feed reguraly with home made liquid fertiliser
Time to pick, Should be just about plump enough for Christmas.
Bonsai Gardening Secrets. Discover Over 95 Pages Of Insider Secrets To Creating Stunning Bonsai Trees. Click Here!
Worlds Best Compost. Make The Worlds Ultimate Natural Fertilizer, Colloidal Humus, Without Bins, Turning Or Odor. Click Here!
The Complete Grape Growing System. A Complete System With E-book And Audio Book To Help You Grow Grapes The Correct Way. Click Here!
How To Start Beekeeping. Want To Start Beekeeping? This New EBook Reveals It All. Start Keeping Bees This Season! Click Here!
Orchid Care Expert - A Practical Guide. The Most Practical Guide To Orchid Care To Be Found On The Internet. Click Here!
Organic Food Gardening Beginners Manual. 87 Page Step-by-step Gardening Manual For Beginners To Learn How To Grow Their Own Healthy, Organic Food - Saving Money And Eating Chemical Free! Great Bonuses With This E-manual. Revised Edition Just Released.
Click Here!
Forceful Orchid Fertilizers: Homemade Recipes. Know How To Feed Your Orchids To Quickly Get Astonishing Results. Click Here!
The Hypertufa How-To Manual. 100 Page EBook On How To Make Garden Art Objects From Hypertufa. Easy To Follow Instructions & Expert Advice. Click Here!
Homemade Hydroponics. Hydroponics Secrets Shows You How To Grow The Plants, Fruits And Vegetables -even In Limited Space--without Using Soil. Pays 75% Commission With Excellent Conversion Rates. Click Here!
Bonsai Gardening Secrets. Discover Over 95 Pages Of Insider Secrets To Creating Stunning Bonsai Trees. Click Here!
Forceful Insecticides Home Made Formula. Discover Secret Informations That Big Multinationals Dont Want You To Know! Click Here!
Organic Gardening
Organic gardening is a method of growing plants without the use of synthetic chemicals, including pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. Instead, organic, or once-living, materials are used to naturally cultivate the growing plants.
Organic materials include leaves, grasses, food scraps, agricultural crop residue and other natural materials.
By promoting natural diversity and biological cycles in farming, organic gardening methods strive to create gardens that are self-sufficient and sustainable. Converting a garden to produce vegetables and fruit organically is a long-term process; it happens gradually, typically requiring several years, rather than in one single growing season. Organic gardening sometimes takes a great deal of work, but the rewards can be found in the chemical-free bounty of the harvest. Take a look at the basic process of organic gardening.
Planning an Organic Garden
The first step in creating an organic garden is to consider its purpose. Will the garden support an entire family, or will extra produce be grown and sold? Keeping the garden’s purpose in mind, a location should be chosen that is convenient to the home but big enough to meet the needs of the gardener. It is best to choose a location with well-drained soil that is near a water supply and not shaded by buildings or trees. Some gardeners plot a layout of the garden on paper before planting. The crops that will be planted in each row should be planned in advance.
Organic plant production depends on healthy and fertile soil, so the soil should be amended as necessary before planting to ensure quality. Decayed plant material is essential for producing fertile soil. This organic matter, when added to the soil, can slow erosion and offer a good environment for earthworms and other beneficial microorganisms. To ensure that the soil is healthy before planting, aim for 3 to 5 percent organic matter soil content. Be sure to mix the organic material into the soil at least three weeks before planting, because the organic material can interfere with the growth of the seeds if it is not completely rotted and incorporated into the soil before planting.
Planting an Organic Garden
In an organic garden, seeds must not have been chemically treated. Seeds for some crops, however, may not be available in non-treated form. In that case, if the grower is certified organic, he or she will need authorization from the certifier before buying the seeds. To achieve certified organic status, an application must be made to the National Organic Program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For more information, visit National Organic Program Web site. For individual gardeners who are not certified, it comes down to a personal choice as to whether to use seeds that have been treated with chemicals.
Good choices for seeds include varieties that are best able to resist disease and insects. Plants that mature early are also good choices, because they allow less time for any diseases or insect damage to take place; by the same token, late-maturing plants are more susceptible to these common afflictions.
When planning and planting, keep in mind that some plants naturally can be used to the gardener’s advantage. For example, if the gardener plants dill on the opposite side of the garden from tomatoes, tomato hornworms will be drawn away from the tomato plants because they are more attracted to the dill. Although this approach may offer only a small measure of protection for the tomatoes, any advantage is a good one. Likewise, sage can work to repel the cabbage moths and black flea beetles that attack cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli, so a gardener can gain a slight advantage if sage is planted with these crops.
Organic Gardening Fertilizers
Animal manure is the best fertilizer for organic gardening. The manure needs to be partially broken-down, however, before it is applied to the plants. For best results, the manure should be aged for 30 days to allow for breakdown; otherwise, it can be composted. To find out more about managing manure, read the Ohio State University’s guide to Manure Management.
The benefits of animal manure can be found in the nutrients contained within the manure. Though the nutrient content varies greatly depending on the source of the manure (the type of animal and its age, physical condition and diet all play a role), some level of the following nutrients can be expected: nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and calcium. Fresh manure should not be applied to growing plants, or within 120 days of harvest time.
Compost is another good organic fertilizer. Compost is made from the decomposition of organic materials, including lawn trimmings, crop residues, food scraps and wood chips. A compost pile is made of alternating layers of organic materials that heat up in the sun after two or three days, though it takes between two months and a year for the compost to be ready, depending on the season, materials used and the skill of the person doing the composting. Every three to four weeks during that period, the compost must be turned with a pitchfork to allow the different materials to mix into a uniform fertilizer.
Organic Garden Mulching
Mulch, which is usually composed of lawn clippings, wood shavings, pine straw or sawdust, is placed on the surface of the soil, around the plants. Mulch allows the soil to conserve water and nutrients, reduce erosion and weed growth, moderate temperature and reduce rot on fruit that is caused by soil. Plastic mulch, which comes in a variety of colors, also can be used.
Controlling Weeds, Insects and Diseases in an Organic Garden
Mulching is recommended to control weeds, as are hoeing and shallow cultivation. Controlling insects and diseases by natural means, however, can be more difficult. Prevention is important because once an infestation occurs; it can be hard to control using only organic methods. Therefore, it is important to plant as early as possible using resistant varieties of plants and only seeds and transplants from disease-free plants. Also, clean up any plant refuse as soon as possible, water in the morning to avoid wet plants at night and get rid of diseased plants before the problem can spread to healthy plants. Insects can be picked from plants by hand, or natural predators can be introduced to the area. Some organic gardeners also use sprays that contain organic or natural plant poisons that can help keep insects at bay.
The National Gardening Association maintains a large bank of knowledge about gardening, and can help novices and those more experienced with tips, strategies, and support. Visit the National Gardening Association for more information.
Organic Gardening Certification
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates the standards for organic farming. Certification must be obtained to sell organic crops with the claim that they are organically produced. The USDA National Organic Program accredits the agents who inspect organic products and certifies that they meet the standards established by the USDA. For more information on the National Organic Program, go to the USDA’s Web site.
Bonsai Gardening Secrets. Discover Over 95 Pages Of Insider Secrets To Creating Stunning Bonsai Trees. Click Here!
Worlds Best Compost. Make The Worlds Ultimate Natural Fertilizer, Colloidal Humus, Without Bins, Turning Or Odor. Click Here!
The Complete Grape Growing System. A Complete System With E-book And Audio Book To Help You Grow Grapes The Correct Way. Click Here!
How To Start Beekeeping. Want To Start Beekeeping? This New EBook Reveals It All. Start Keeping Bees This Season! Click Here!
Orchid Care Expert - A Practical Guide. The Most Practical Guide To Orchid Care To Be Found On The Internet. Click Here!
Organic Food Gardening Beginners Manual. 87 Page Step-by-step Gardening Manual For Beginners To Learn How To Grow Their Own Healthy, Organic Food - Saving Money And Eating Chemical Free! Great Bonuses With This E-manual. Revised Edition Just Released.
Click Here!
Forceful Orchid Fertilizers: Homemade Recipes. Know How To Feed Your Orchids To Quickly Get Astonishing Results. Click Here!
The Hypertufa How-To Manual. 100 Page EBook On How To Make Garden Art Objects From Hypertufa. Easy To Follow Instructions & Expert Advice. Click Here!
Homemade Hydroponics. Hydroponics Secrets Shows You How To Grow The Plants, Fruits And Vegetables -even In Limited Space--without Using Soil. Pays 75% Commission With Excellent Conversion Rates. Click Here!
Bonsai Gardening Secrets. Discover Over 95 Pages Of Insider Secrets To Creating Stunning Bonsai Trees. Click Here!
Forceful Insecticides Home Made Formula. Discover Secret Informations That Big Multinationals Dont Want You To Know! Click Here!
Organic materials include leaves, grasses, food scraps, agricultural crop residue and other natural materials.
By promoting natural diversity and biological cycles in farming, organic gardening methods strive to create gardens that are self-sufficient and sustainable. Converting a garden to produce vegetables and fruit organically is a long-term process; it happens gradually, typically requiring several years, rather than in one single growing season. Organic gardening sometimes takes a great deal of work, but the rewards can be found in the chemical-free bounty of the harvest. Take a look at the basic process of organic gardening.
Planning an Organic Garden
The first step in creating an organic garden is to consider its purpose. Will the garden support an entire family, or will extra produce be grown and sold? Keeping the garden’s purpose in mind, a location should be chosen that is convenient to the home but big enough to meet the needs of the gardener. It is best to choose a location with well-drained soil that is near a water supply and not shaded by buildings or trees. Some gardeners plot a layout of the garden on paper before planting. The crops that will be planted in each row should be planned in advance.
Organic plant production depends on healthy and fertile soil, so the soil should be amended as necessary before planting to ensure quality. Decayed plant material is essential for producing fertile soil. This organic matter, when added to the soil, can slow erosion and offer a good environment for earthworms and other beneficial microorganisms. To ensure that the soil is healthy before planting, aim for 3 to 5 percent organic matter soil content. Be sure to mix the organic material into the soil at least three weeks before planting, because the organic material can interfere with the growth of the seeds if it is not completely rotted and incorporated into the soil before planting.
Planting an Organic Garden
In an organic garden, seeds must not have been chemically treated. Seeds for some crops, however, may not be available in non-treated form. In that case, if the grower is certified organic, he or she will need authorization from the certifier before buying the seeds. To achieve certified organic status, an application must be made to the National Organic Program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For more information, visit National Organic Program Web site. For individual gardeners who are not certified, it comes down to a personal choice as to whether to use seeds that have been treated with chemicals.
Good choices for seeds include varieties that are best able to resist disease and insects. Plants that mature early are also good choices, because they allow less time for any diseases or insect damage to take place; by the same token, late-maturing plants are more susceptible to these common afflictions.
When planning and planting, keep in mind that some plants naturally can be used to the gardener’s advantage. For example, if the gardener plants dill on the opposite side of the garden from tomatoes, tomato hornworms will be drawn away from the tomato plants because they are more attracted to the dill. Although this approach may offer only a small measure of protection for the tomatoes, any advantage is a good one. Likewise, sage can work to repel the cabbage moths and black flea beetles that attack cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli, so a gardener can gain a slight advantage if sage is planted with these crops.
Organic Gardening Fertilizers
Animal manure is the best fertilizer for organic gardening. The manure needs to be partially broken-down, however, before it is applied to the plants. For best results, the manure should be aged for 30 days to allow for breakdown; otherwise, it can be composted. To find out more about managing manure, read the Ohio State University’s guide to Manure Management.
The benefits of animal manure can be found in the nutrients contained within the manure. Though the nutrient content varies greatly depending on the source of the manure (the type of animal and its age, physical condition and diet all play a role), some level of the following nutrients can be expected: nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and calcium. Fresh manure should not be applied to growing plants, or within 120 days of harvest time.
Compost is another good organic fertilizer. Compost is made from the decomposition of organic materials, including lawn trimmings, crop residues, food scraps and wood chips. A compost pile is made of alternating layers of organic materials that heat up in the sun after two or three days, though it takes between two months and a year for the compost to be ready, depending on the season, materials used and the skill of the person doing the composting. Every three to four weeks during that period, the compost must be turned with a pitchfork to allow the different materials to mix into a uniform fertilizer.
Organic Garden Mulching
Mulch, which is usually composed of lawn clippings, wood shavings, pine straw or sawdust, is placed on the surface of the soil, around the plants. Mulch allows the soil to conserve water and nutrients, reduce erosion and weed growth, moderate temperature and reduce rot on fruit that is caused by soil. Plastic mulch, which comes in a variety of colors, also can be used.
Controlling Weeds, Insects and Diseases in an Organic Garden
Mulching is recommended to control weeds, as are hoeing and shallow cultivation. Controlling insects and diseases by natural means, however, can be more difficult. Prevention is important because once an infestation occurs; it can be hard to control using only organic methods. Therefore, it is important to plant as early as possible using resistant varieties of plants and only seeds and transplants from disease-free plants. Also, clean up any plant refuse as soon as possible, water in the morning to avoid wet plants at night and get rid of diseased plants before the problem can spread to healthy plants. Insects can be picked from plants by hand, or natural predators can be introduced to the area. Some organic gardeners also use sprays that contain organic or natural plant poisons that can help keep insects at bay.
The National Gardening Association maintains a large bank of knowledge about gardening, and can help novices and those more experienced with tips, strategies, and support. Visit the National Gardening Association for more information.
Organic Gardening Certification
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates the standards for organic farming. Certification must be obtained to sell organic crops with the claim that they are organically produced. The USDA National Organic Program accredits the agents who inspect organic products and certifies that they meet the standards established by the USDA. For more information on the National Organic Program, go to the USDA’s Web site.
Bonsai Gardening Secrets. Discover Over 95 Pages Of Insider Secrets To Creating Stunning Bonsai Trees. Click Here!
Worlds Best Compost. Make The Worlds Ultimate Natural Fertilizer, Colloidal Humus, Without Bins, Turning Or Odor. Click Here!
The Complete Grape Growing System. A Complete System With E-book And Audio Book To Help You Grow Grapes The Correct Way. Click Here!
How To Start Beekeeping. Want To Start Beekeeping? This New EBook Reveals It All. Start Keeping Bees This Season! Click Here!
Orchid Care Expert - A Practical Guide. The Most Practical Guide To Orchid Care To Be Found On The Internet. Click Here!
Organic Food Gardening Beginners Manual. 87 Page Step-by-step Gardening Manual For Beginners To Learn How To Grow Their Own Healthy, Organic Food - Saving Money And Eating Chemical Free! Great Bonuses With This E-manual. Revised Edition Just Released.
Click Here!
Forceful Orchid Fertilizers: Homemade Recipes. Know How To Feed Your Orchids To Quickly Get Astonishing Results. Click Here!
The Hypertufa How-To Manual. 100 Page EBook On How To Make Garden Art Objects From Hypertufa. Easy To Follow Instructions & Expert Advice. Click Here!
Homemade Hydroponics. Hydroponics Secrets Shows You How To Grow The Plants, Fruits And Vegetables -even In Limited Space--without Using Soil. Pays 75% Commission With Excellent Conversion Rates. Click Here!
Bonsai Gardening Secrets. Discover Over 95 Pages Of Insider Secrets To Creating Stunning Bonsai Trees. Click Here!
Forceful Insecticides Home Made Formula. Discover Secret Informations That Big Multinationals Dont Want You To Know! Click Here!
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Organic Gardening Benefits
It's a well known fact that getting closer to the earth relieves stress - when did you last spend a few hours in the garden? Not only does gardening relieve stress but it is also very enjoyable once you make the effort to get out there.
Have you ever tasted organically grown vegetables and fruit and wished that you afford to have them more often? If you grow them yourself they will cost you a fraction of the price of the ones you buy at your local supermarket or greengrocer.
Have you smelt the difference as they were being cooked in your kitchen? That's because they are so fresh, packed full of goodness and vitamins.
Are you doing your bit for conservation? Think of all that packaging and transport that you are avoiding.
When did you last have the pleasure of sharing something with your family that you know is good for their health? Top chefs get up at the scrake of dawn to buy fresh produce at the market. You can pick yours at any time and have them cooking in a matter of minutes!
How pleased would your friends and neighbours be to receive a gift which cost so little and tastes so good?
Do you know someone who is ill or frail and would benefit by getting some wholesome fresh non-contaminated food into their system?
Do you know that many farmers don't relish eating their own products because they know what chemical sprays and fertilisers have been used on them? Eating more vegetables is known to help prevent heart disease and cancer.
Bonsai Gardening Secrets. Discover Over 95 Pages Of Insider Secrets To Creating Stunning Bonsai Trees. Click Here!
Worlds Best Compost. Make The Worlds Ultimate Natural Fertilizer, Colloidal Humus, Without Bins, Turning Or Odor. Click Here!
The Complete Grape Growing System. A Complete System With E-book And Audio Book To Help You Grow Grapes The Correct Way. Click Here!
How To Start Beekeeping. Want To Start Beekeeping? This New EBook Reveals It All. Start Keeping Bees This Season! Click Here!
Orchid Care Expert - A Practical Guide. The Most Practical Guide To Orchid Care To Be Found On The Internet. Click Here!
Organic Food Gardening Beginners Manual. 87 Page Step-by-step Gardening Manual For Beginners To Learn How To Grow Their Own Healthy, Organic Food - Saving Money And Eating Chemical Free! Great Bonuses With This E-manual. Revised Edition Just Released.
Click Here!
Forceful Orchid Fertilizers: Homemade Recipes. Know How To Feed Your Orchids To Quickly Get Astonishing Results. Click Here!
The Hypertufa How-To Manual. 100 Page EBook On How To Make Garden Art Objects From Hypertufa. Easy To Follow Instructions & Expert Advice. Click Here!
Homemade Hydroponics. Hydroponics Secrets Shows You How To Grow The Plants, Fruits And Vegetables -even In Limited Space--without Using Soil. Pays 75% Commission With Excellent Conversion Rates. Click Here!
Bonsai Gardening Secrets. Discover Over 95 Pages Of Insider Secrets To Creating Stunning Bonsai Trees. Click Here!
Forceful Insecticides Home Made Formula. Discover Secret Informations That Big Multinationals Dont Want You To Know! Click Here!
Have you ever tasted organically grown vegetables and fruit and wished that you afford to have them more often? If you grow them yourself they will cost you a fraction of the price of the ones you buy at your local supermarket or greengrocer.
Have you smelt the difference as they were being cooked in your kitchen? That's because they are so fresh, packed full of goodness and vitamins.
Are you doing your bit for conservation? Think of all that packaging and transport that you are avoiding.
When did you last have the pleasure of sharing something with your family that you know is good for their health? Top chefs get up at the scrake of dawn to buy fresh produce at the market. You can pick yours at any time and have them cooking in a matter of minutes!
How pleased would your friends and neighbours be to receive a gift which cost so little and tastes so good?
Do you know someone who is ill or frail and would benefit by getting some wholesome fresh non-contaminated food into their system?
Do you know that many farmers don't relish eating their own products because they know what chemical sprays and fertilisers have been used on them? Eating more vegetables is known to help prevent heart disease and cancer.
Bonsai Gardening Secrets. Discover Over 95 Pages Of Insider Secrets To Creating Stunning Bonsai Trees. Click Here!
Worlds Best Compost. Make The Worlds Ultimate Natural Fertilizer, Colloidal Humus, Without Bins, Turning Or Odor. Click Here!
The Complete Grape Growing System. A Complete System With E-book And Audio Book To Help You Grow Grapes The Correct Way. Click Here!
How To Start Beekeeping. Want To Start Beekeeping? This New EBook Reveals It All. Start Keeping Bees This Season! Click Here!
Orchid Care Expert - A Practical Guide. The Most Practical Guide To Orchid Care To Be Found On The Internet. Click Here!
Organic Food Gardening Beginners Manual. 87 Page Step-by-step Gardening Manual For Beginners To Learn How To Grow Their Own Healthy, Organic Food - Saving Money And Eating Chemical Free! Great Bonuses With This E-manual. Revised Edition Just Released.
Click Here!
Forceful Orchid Fertilizers: Homemade Recipes. Know How To Feed Your Orchids To Quickly Get Astonishing Results. Click Here!
The Hypertufa How-To Manual. 100 Page EBook On How To Make Garden Art Objects From Hypertufa. Easy To Follow Instructions & Expert Advice. Click Here!
Homemade Hydroponics. Hydroponics Secrets Shows You How To Grow The Plants, Fruits And Vegetables -even In Limited Space--without Using Soil. Pays 75% Commission With Excellent Conversion Rates. Click Here!
Bonsai Gardening Secrets. Discover Over 95 Pages Of Insider Secrets To Creating Stunning Bonsai Trees. Click Here!
Forceful Insecticides Home Made Formula. Discover Secret Informations That Big Multinationals Dont Want You To Know! Click Here!
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