Plant Gardens 101

Compost will take care of most soil’ shortcomings, but it will not guarantee the right degree of acidity or alkalinity, which is measured on a pH scale that runs from 0, for extremely acid to 7, for neutral, to 14, for extremely alkaline.

The correct level of pH in your soil is just as important as your compost. Most vegetables, fruits and herbs thrive in soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0, but each has its own “favorite” range. If your soil does not fall within the proper range for the plants you’re growing, you should correct it by adding the proper materials. You can easily determine the pH of your soil with an inexpensive kit sold at garden centers, or by taking or sending a soil sample to your local agricultural extension service for testing.

To raise the pH of an overly acid soil ½ to 1 unit, add 5 pounds of finely ground limestone to each 100 square feet of planting area. To lower the pH of alkaline soils, use either finely ground sulfur, which is slow acting but relatively long-lasting, or iron sulfate or aluminum sulfate, which work quickly but dissipate more rapidly in the soil. One half pound of ground sulfur or 3 pounds of iron or aluminum sulfate per 100 square feet will lower the pH by ½ to 1 unit. For especially heavy soils, increase all these amounts by about 1/3.   (more…)

Would you like to increase your yield by 25%? Well, we know how! Fertilizers are used to improve the yield from crops. It can be applied either from the root or through the leaves. Seaweed fertilizers have been known to improve the quality and produce of your plants. Did you know by using such fertilizers, you get rich fruits and vegetables high in nutrients. How? It starts at the foundation- the root. By expanding the root system and with improved seed germination, plants get healthier and stronger. Thus they are able to combat disease and pests such as red spider mite and aphids.

Common liquid seaweed fertilizer is normally used as a foliar spray. Extracted from seaweed, this fertilizer increases the produce when seeds are soaked in it for a while. Statistics has revealed that rice, black gram and green gram harvests increased significantly after using the substance. In order to use this brand, 100ml of MBP-liquid fertilizer has to be diluted in one liter of water. It can then be sprayed onto the plants. (more…)

Organic fertilizer is actually an animal or plant creation or a by-product used as a fertilizer, such as manure, blood meal, alfalfa meal, seaweed, or compost. In practical applications, usually contains mineral based fertilizers also, like greensand or rock phosphate. Organic fertilizers are now subjected to a special process or treatment into a assortment of granular and liquid varieties. These products differ greatly in the quantity and balance of nutrients contained, and in the speed at which the nutrients are discharged into the soil.

Some of the most important organic fertilizers are fish emulsion, seaweed, earthworm castings, bone meal, kelp meal, and rock phosphates. These natural fertilizers will improve your plants, especially yield plants, and are great for the soil. Not only do they nourish your plants but the soil as well so that it is healthy enough to support whatever you decide to plant. It is quite easy to match the organic fertilizer to the plant you need it for thus improving the plants and making them healthier. They also tell you how often to use them so that you don’t overdo. Some fertilizers are longer lasting and do not have to be applied as often. (more…)

Organic gardeners all know compost is fantastic stuff. But now, there’s something even better and that’s compost tea. If you start with a good compost you’ll have a versatile elixir for all your garden needs. Compost tea helps prevent foliage diseases and at the same time increase the nutrients to the plant and shutdown the toxins hurting the plants. It will improve the taste/flavor of your vegetables. So why not give this tea a try either by buying it or brewing it yourself. You won’t believe the results!

Four ways that good bacteria work:

Help compete for the nutrients (more…)