Plant Gardens 101

You can start an organic vegetable garden in planter boxes. Tired of waiting for the price of commercially produced organic vegetables to drop to more reasonable levels? You don’t need a large garden plot to grow your own vegetables. A few planters outside your window or door can provide all the space you need to plant some varieties of the vegetables you consume most often. You can choose from roots, leafy vegetables, and fleshy vegetables as you plan the layout of your organic garden. Selecting a nutritious mix of soil and watering your plants often should boost the health of your vegetables.

Carrots, beets, turnips, and radishes are all root vegetables. Roots also include potatoes, rutabagas, and sweet potatoes. Some of these edible roots can grow well in planter boxes. Carrots or radishes would make a good start for your organic garden. Do not select shallow planters for these vegetables, however. (more…)

When shopping around for nutrients for your hydroponic system, you have probably noticed that there are two general options: organic and non organic. Assuming that these nutrient blends are well balanced and come from a reputable hydroponics supply company, they can provide your plants with what they need to grow and thrive well. So why do so many opt for the organic solutions over the synthetic solutions? And why does it seem that organic growing increases in popularity with each passing year? There are several reasons really why people go organic.

Higher Nutrient Levels – Some evidence exists that organic plants grown organically are healthier for you than those grown through more modern conventional methods. Using only organic plant nutrients makes each piece of food denser in dry matter, meaning that there is more food and less water. When you do not use chemical pesticides, it also forces the plant to rely more on its own natural defenses. This means that they naturally produce more of the antioxidants that make fruits and vegetables so healthy for people. (more…)

With the ever increasing demand for organic food production it is quite natural that we look for organic plant food to replace the chemical fertilizers that are commonly used in commercial production of fruit and vegetables.

What is organic plant food?
The first thing that springs to mind is animal manure, and still today this is the number one most common source of organic plant food. Animal manure provides active nutrients, fungi and the bacteria necessary for the development of fertile soils. Today, manures are available in several forms and grades. Although horse and cow dung is well known for its use as organic plant food, other animals such as hogs and sheep manure is also available. Chicken manure requires processing before it is applied to the garden.. (more…)

Interested in growing organic? For many, it’s the only way to grow.

When starting an organic vegetable garden you must start from the ground up. Compost is the key to a lush, bountiful organic garden. If you don’t already have your own compost, check with your local municipality. Most give away leaf compost for free. Some even deliver by the truckload to your home!

Leaf compost is very rich in organic matter; however, it still needs a few amendments. Lime added to your compost will balance the Ph and Gypsum added (about 5lbs. per 100 sq. ft.) will keep the soil nice and loose, it also adds trace minerals such as calcium which is great for the soil. Adding these will also help plants intake the nutrients they need to thrive. Work this into the top 4”-6” of soil.

Another important key to growing organic veggies is sunlight. Take some time to watch the sun as it moves across your property throughout the day. Start your garden where it will get the maximum amount of sun and plant your rows from NE to SW. It is also important to water your garden in the early morning between the hours of 6 and 10 am. The will allow for good water absorption and any water left on the leaves will evaporate before the heat of mid-day. Watering in the middle of the day is not recommended because the water will evaporate before it has a chance to really soak in (or you will have to water longer to get the same effect). The leaves of the plants may also burn as the water on the leaves heats up. Never, ever water your garden in the evening unless you want a tough battle with the evil fungus! Let me explain. When you water in the evening it is cooler and dark. The ground will absorb the water well, however, the round will only suck up so much, and then the garden is left with water on the leaves and puddles (even small ones) around the stems. There is no sun to gently evaporate the excess. Water and air can carry fungus spores naturally. The water laying on the leaves and around the stems acts as a fertilizer to the evil fungus and it grows literally overnight. Before you know it you have black spots on your tomato and pepper plant and curling leaves on your cucumbers! (more…)

More farmers are getting into organic vegetable gardening because it is cost effective and they are able to produce almost the same yield of crops. You to can do this at home but first, you have to understand the principles of organic vegetable gardening.

First, organic vegetable gardening does not use any fertilizers, nutrients or pesticides. Nature is your partner here because you will be using two things to make it all work namely sunlight and water. We don’t produce these ourselves but you have to find the ideal area and provide adequate drainage.

Aside from sunlight and water, you can help the crops grow by using compost heap from leftover food, chipped bark, garden compost, leaf moulds and manure. You can mix these all together and then spread this throughout your garden. (more…)

Anybody can do organic vegetable gardening at home because the principle behind this is not that different from what they do in the farm. The only difference is that you work in a smaller area and you get to choose what you like plant.

The first thing you have to do is find an ideal location. A lot of people do organic vegetable gardening in their backyard. To make it work, whatever you are planting should get at least 6 hours of sunlight everyday and access to water.

Just like the ancient civilizations that relied on an efficient irrigation system, you too should do the same by making sure there is adequate drainage because if you don’t, you will have to do organic vegetable gardening using a raise bed.

When your ideal location has been found, it is time to cultivate the land. For that, you will need your gardening tools and a pair of gloves to pluck out the weeds on the ground. This might take a few days to make sure the area is ready for planting. (more…)

Have you noticed lately that the price of food is going up. The price of produce on the store shelves has gotten unreal. A single watermelon is over five dollars in some places. You also cannot know for certain just how fresh the produce is, and how long it has sat in a warehouse or refrigerated truck. You do not know what kind of chemicals that the produce was sprayed with, or who has handled it. (more…)

Fertilizers are chemical compounds or substance that contain elements which are necessary for the growth of plant and flowers. There are mainly two types of fertilizers organic and inorganic. Organic fertilizers are those which are made through natural process like decomposed plants such as manure, worm castings, peat moss, seaweed, sewage and guano, whereas inorganic fertilizers are manufactured through chemical process. They are in the form of simple compounds mainly of nitrogen, phosphate and potash. Organic fertilizers contain essential nutrients that encourage plant growth. Inorganic fertilizers consist of various combination of salts and supply plants with necessary nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). These fertilizers are also called NPK fertilizers. Ammonia is also used in making fertilizers such as ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulphate. Inorganic or chemical fertilizers are available in powdered form and when mixed with water they can be used by plants immediately. Whereas organic fertilizers cannot be used immediately and requires some sort of action by the micro life (bacteria, earthworm, fungi) which breaks down the matter (bone, algae, seeds, leaves) and convert them to the form, which can be used by the plants. It is believed that organic fertilizers are more environment-friendly and better maintain soil organic matter levels than inorganic fertilizers as inorganic fertilizers can have long term adverse effects on the organisms living in the soil and can also affect the productivity of the soil. Organic fertilizers provide increased physical and biological storage mechanisms to soils, thus lessens the risk of over-fertilization. They are just a by product of some other other already existing product like bone, seed, cotton or kelp and they don’t get washed away like chemical fertilizers. (more…)

Are you fed up with vegetables grown out of season, from who knows where which may look bright and shiny but which taste of absolutely nothing? Are you frightened as to what all those pesticides and other chemicals are doing to your family’s health?

Well the answer is simple; grow your own organic vegetables and fruit. You will need to be prepared to devote quite some time and effort but the end result will be well worth it. Just think of those wholesome, tasty fruits and vegetables which you’ll be able to put on your table at all times of the year.

What is organic gardening and why should you go to all that effort?

It is the growing of produce, flowers, shrubs and so on without the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers which, organic gardeners believe, will result in flavorful, healthy and nutritionally beneficial food. This is because the soil is fertilized naturally and insects are kept away using natural materials too so there’s no risk of ingesting or inhaling toxic chemicals. An additional benefit is the fresh air and exercise which you get digging and maintaining your own vegetable plot. (more…)

Here is an important aspect of organic gardening and I’m sure that you will relate to it very well. Just imagine this, you are famished, you are waiting to be fed, you also have not bathed. The thing is you have spent so much time taking care of others and working, so much so you have not had time to look after yourself.

Just think how you would feel? For a certain amount of time, you might be able to accept this. You may still carry on for a while and ask for nothing in return. But as the days pass by, you will feel the negative effect this is having on you. So much so, the effect on you would be that you will not have the energy you once had. You would grow weaker and weaker, until you could no longer carry on the way you used to

Now ask yourself, how is this related to the organic method of gardening? Well that is easy, you should compare this to the state of the soil. Soil is very important in this type and for all other types of gardening. The soil is the base for everything. It is the bed, or the home of your plants (more…)

Many people have the desire to eat healthy food. That is why they will go to specialty stores in order to purchase what they feel is the best in organic vegetables. The only downside to this is that the things you buy from these stores is expensive and some of us don’t have the money to but those things on a weekly basis.

You shouldn’t have to sacrifice good eating because you cannot afford to buy it. Instead why not grow your very own garden full of organic vegetables and herbs? You can do this right in your own backyard and believe it or not many people are doing just this. All you need are the right tools and the patience to learn how to do it properly. It is easy to learn and once you do you will enjoy the fruits (or vegetables in this case) of your labor. (more…)

Vegetable boxes are forward in popularity as consumers become increasingly alarmed by the dangers of pesticide remains. Organic fruit and vegetable box are not presented everywhere, but some places have great programs that accept footing tips.

In London, organic fruit and vegetable boxes are delivered weekly. It’s a great way to get nutritional organic fruit and vegetables lacking relying on a regional bazaar. A standard boxed delivered in May might confine juicy organic fruit and vegetables such as broad beans, carrots, cauliflower, celery, lettuce, loquats, onions, pears, potatoes, radishes, rhubarb, spinach, and tomatoes.

London organic fruit and vegetable boxes submit families a breadth of cool organic fruit and vegetables. Box stuffing change from week to week, and from term to term. Organic fruit and vegetables that are at their height locally are select. If certain goods cannot be mature locally, imported organic fruit such as bananas, for example, are included.

London organic fruit and vegetable boxes are sold according to family volume. Small boxes of organic fruit and vegetables suit a fasten; middle boxes nourish 3 people; large boxes nosh 4. (more…)

Organic-Gardening-Where it Went Wrong

Organic-Gardening-Part 1 – The Other Side Not so long ago, many people believed that Organic Gardening , meant – chanting, naked under a full moon, with candles and bells. Thankfully, these-days, common-sense and a little less of ‘old wives tales’ and ‘voodoo’ prevails. Organic gardening, is about utilising and observing the laws of nature, in order to produce healthy, strong, pest and disease resistant plants, that look and taste better, too. What it is not, is banning of all chemicals and hugging trees, although this is available to you should you wish. (more…)

A traveller saw two fields of tea bushes at the side of the road. In one field, the farmer was happily picking the fresh green young leaves, however in the other, the farmer was spraying his plants to destroy the insects that were ruining his crop. So how come the two crops, situated so close together, were so different? The answer is that the first farmer was using organic methods.

Sadly, many growers see nature as something to be tamed, but the sensible ones work with her. That is the essence or organic farming. An organic culture creates a balanced and self-sustaining system that requires no artificial fertilisers or pesticides.

Much of the sickness of crops are created because they are forced to grow too fast, too large or out of season. In the same way that an athlete is more prone to disease or illness during periods of intense training, plants are most prone to problems when they are forced to their natural limits or even beyond. (more…)

Most synthetic fertilizers contain components and chemicals which can be harmful to living organisms, and therefore organic gardening usually is a wiser option. If you wish to apply organic gardening techniques, you should start by avoiding all synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, and use natural options instead.

Once you have decided where you will plant, you should apply natural compost and rock materials to it. If you have flower beds, you should add about 3″ of organic material to them; this will add enough nutrients and humus as well as help conserving water.

If you have acid-loving plants, a good idea is to place a layer of pine needles over their bed every fall, since these needles have a nourishing acid which will help the plants growing strong and healthy. Try to avoid using any pesticide by making sure of adding enough organic soil, since this component strengthens the immune system of the plants and helps them growing strong.

At the time of choosing plants, try to opt for the ones which better adapt to the temperature, shade, and soil in which they will be. If these factors are not the appropriate ones for the plants you choose, you might not succeed in growing them as strong and healthy as you might have intended.

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All good gardener has some type of gardening equipment. In fact, it’s nearly impossible to have a garden without using gardening tools. What kind of garden tools you use will obviously depend on the size and extent of your garden, what you are able to handle, if you want to spend a lot of time in your garden or get done quickly, and finally, how much money you are willing to spend.

While most organic gardeners do not have expensive or high-tech gardening tools, all of them have some type of gardening equipment for cultivating. Tools for cultivating can include both hand held tools and power tools. What kind you buy depends on how serious of a gardener you are. Hand tools include your everyday items like shovels, spading forks, rakes, trowels, and diggers. These can all be used to get a garden ready for planting and are relatively easy to use and do not require a great deal of strength. Other tools include a wheel cultivator, pickax, and mattock. (more…)

You know your soil is “clean”, that your soil is not contaminated in any way because you got your soil tested, so now you’re looking for some organic seeds to plant. At this point you are probably asking yourself, “How do I know that the seeds I am buying are organically grown and where is the best place to buy my seeds?”

Well, you can wait till the last minute and chance buying your seeds at your nursery or such places as Canadian Tire or Home Hardware. However, your best bet is to plan ahead and order via seed catalogs so that you can identify whether the company’s seeds are organically grown.

When looking for companies, look for those who have labels for the seeds which they grow and sell. Those who grow and sell organic seeds will use one or more of these labels: U for untreated, O for organic, OP for open-pollinated, and H for heritage. (more…)

We only have one world to live in. We need to take our own share to keep this world going in a natural way and as clean as possible. So many people are leaving a huge footprint on the world by using the natural resources and not replenishing or limiting their consumption. At this rate we could really be in trouble when it comes to
Nowadays, large numbers of individuals are using organic products and that number is growing. From organic food, to organically grown products like clothes, extra long hemp shower curtains, bedding and even household furniture.
“Green house” is the new term for an environmentally clean home. The house is built using organic, environmentally friendly materials. Walls and floors are made of wood while the decor, bedding and long shower curtains are also made from natural materials. With tankless water heaters, solar panels and triple pane windows, these homes are designed to keep the energy consumption to a minimum. The ability to generate power and water in your own home makes going organic very unique and it intrigues many people. Being less wasteful and more organic at home can be done in many different ways. (more…)

Soil is very essential for a plant’s life. Many people would wonder how a plant would grow without the use of soil. Because of the many advances and new technological discoveries, everything can be made in an instant such as food, beverages, and even plants. There are new methods in these modern days where they can grow the plants fast.

The use of the traditional method of agriculture, which consists of the slow process of cultivating, watering, sowing, and attending to the plant everyday, became less popular to those gardeners who have learned the methods of organic hydroponics. Organic hydroponics lessens a gardener’s effort of growing the plant in an instant. (more…)

Why?
Organic gardening compost solves many problems. So much so that it’s tempting to wax philosophical on the merits of making compost. Compost isn’t just a gardening topic. It relates to conserving energy, reducing pollution, protecting the environment, feeding the hungry, reducing waste … and we could go on. See what I mean about philosophical?

Many times, maybe even most times, valuable organic gardening compost is made from household waste that would end up in a landfill. Now that’s a waste … burying valuable raw materials in expensive landfill space.

In many cases, there is little you as an individual can do to solve many of the social ills of our day. Making compost is a small step you can take to make a valuable product from waste. Now that’s a good deal!    (more…)