Wednesday, 26 September 2012

How To Be A Better Organic Gardener

The main reason people decide to go organic when gardening is that they think commercial chemicals, including pesticides and fertilizers, may degrade soil quality, harm the environment and cause long-term damage to their personal health. A lot of techniques for organic gardening actually don't cost a lot of money. Here are some helpful techniques to help you learn to garden organically.


A valuable piece of advice is to plant crops with a high value to you personally. However, different people can have varying opinions as to how much a specific plant is worth. If you grow vegetables which are expensive to buy, you will save on food costs by producing them yourself. Plant vegetable plants that you love to eat.
If you want a sustainable garden, leave a part of it undisturbed for wildlife to enjoy. The kind of birds and insects needed for pollination will be naturally present on your property and help with your organic garden.
A rule of thumb for when you are planting seeds in containers is to make the hole depth around three times larger than the seed itself. Some seeds need sunlight and should not be buried. Some common examples include ageratum and petunias. When in doubt about whether a seed requires direct sun exposure, you can find lots of information online or on the seed packaging itself.
Plant your organic garden in the shade. These types of gardens are incredibly low maintenance, which many people will be relieved to hear. Your plants will need less watering, saving you time and money. The only downside is a slower growth, but this also means less weeds.
Include your children in your efforts to organic gardening. Helping a garden grow is an excellent learning experience for kids, and it allows your family to spend time together while creating healthy, nutritious foods.
You can make a raised bed with untreated wood, brick, or stone. If you choose wood, ensure that it has not been treated with a sealant or other chemicals. Examples of good woods include cedar, cypress, and locust. Never use compost from treated woods in a veggie garden; the chemicals can contaminate your food. If you are already using treated lumber, you can use plastic liners, or a different barrier, in order to protect your garden.
You should think about digging small trenches between rows of plants if you are planting an organic garden. This will help water flow directly to your plants so that they do not require watering as frequently. Saving water saves money!
You can be a bit more environmentally friendly by doing things like saving rainwater. To collect rainwater, use rain barrels or buckets. This prevents the need to pay for water used in your garden. Rainwater is not only free, but it is abundant, too. The natural beneficial relationship between plants and rainwater is also worth noting.
Use fresh water to clean your vegetables, and then save this water for your garden. You can reuse the nutrients and dirt washed from fresh vegetables and it can add nourishment that tap and rain water do not offer. However, be aware that any type of cleaners can be harmful to your soil. Therefore, use only water when cleaning your vegetables.
Using a large amount of mulch in your garden will save water. Adding additional mulch means your plants will require less water. The mulch could be store-bought, made from decayed plant material or comprised of tree bark. The most important thing is to have an adequate supply of it.
Making compost is a wonderful way to get fertilizer for the garden. An effective technique is to start a worm compost container. Purchase red wriggler worms, then cultivate your compost bin with a combination of the worms, dirt, leftovers from your dinner table and shredded newsprint.
Organic gardening, while requiring a good effort for great results, is a great way to live a greener life. Doing it successfully entails a good amount of patience and dedication, but achieving a productive organic garden is a worthwhile endeavor indeed. Using the tips that you just learned you can improve your skills in organic gardening.

Tuesday, 25 September 2012

Simple Advice That Makes A Better Gardener!

Your organic garden can provide you with many essential nutrients. However, it can be difficult to grasp its intricacies and to know what type of equipment you need to purchase. There are a multitude of seeds and starter plants available. The following tips will help you make the most of your organic garden.


One way to ensure efficiency while gardening is to keep your tools close by. Use a bucket large enough to hold all your equipment or wear pants with multiple pockets. Keep common tools such as your gloves or your pruning shears within reach so that you can quickly and easily maintain your garden whenever you need to.
It can be easy to prepare the soil in a perennial garden. Simply use a spade or small shovel to get under the grass or turf and flip it over. Then, using wood chips, cover the area to a depth of three or four inches. Allow the newly turned soil to sit for two weeks, then plant your perennials.
Water containing some aspirin helps your plants fight illness. One and a half aspirin, dissolved in two gallons of water, can be a great addition to your plants. The simple practice of spraying them with the mix will help them fight off diseases. Apply this solution to your plants every few weeks.
Plant your organic garden in the shade. These types of gardens are incredibly low maintenance, which many people will be relieved to hear. Your plants will need less watering, saving you time and money. The only downside is a slower growth, but this also means less weeds.
Spray your garden plants with a mixture of one part milk and six parts water, on a regular basis. Doing so will help keep dangerous powdery mildew at bay. You can store the mixture in the fridge for as long as three weeks. You can use this every day until there is no mildew.
Use the ingredients in your kitchen to create a natural pest-deterring spray. Make a spray from water and garlic, chives, or onions. To make it, chop onions, chives or garlic finely and mix it with one-half cup of water, then strain it into a spray bottle.
Working in the garden doesn't have to be grueling; learn to work more efficiently. Don't waste your time by looking all over for your tools. Have all of tools you will need for the day before you head out your garden. When you are finished, put them away neatly for the next time. You may also wish to invest in a tool belt to keep all of your tools within reach while gardening.
Weeds are a problem in any garden, even organic ones. This is an organic weed killer that is safer for you and for the environment.
Your compost pile should contain green plant materials and dry plant materials. When you pull weeds from your garden, throw them in the compost. The same goes for vegetable trimmings and grass clippings. These are considered green materials. The leaves you rake in the fall, straw, sawdust and the like are dry material. Diseased plants, meat and fire-waste like charcoal or ashes should not be placed in your compost pile.
If you would like to create a garden that is organic, it is vital you understand how to correctly make beds. To begin, slice with a space under the turf. Flip it over and cover it with a three inch layer of wood chips. Within a week or two, you should be able to cut the ground and plant your seeds.
For an all-natural insect deterrent, try planting garlic. The smell of garlic will deter insects from inhabiting your garden. Be sure you plant them in an area that is going to be near other plants that are a little more prone to being attacked. One benefit of planting garlic is edibility.
To succeed at a nature based hobby like organic gardening, you need a little hard work and a whole lot of patience. However, the tastiness of the produce you grow will be a reward in itself. It takes a combination of knowledge, skill and experience to become a good organic gardener. The tips you've read above will help you towards that goal.

Wednesday, 19 September 2012

How To Increase Your Knowledge Of Organic Gardening

There are many different reasons for adopting organic gardening methods. For example, some people prefer to use organic gardening to cultivate edibles for the dinner table. But, you need to put in a lot of effort to grow your garden effectively. Knowing where to start when planning an organic garden can be a little confusing.


A beer trap can help to eradicate slugs. Take a glass jar and bury it so that the soil is even with its mouth. Pour beer into the jar until it is an inch from the top. The slugs will be attracted to the beer and will end up being trapped within the confines of the jar.
You have to decide what you want to grow in your organic garden. Different varieties of a particular flower or vegetable require different types of environments. Each type of rose may need different types of environments, for example. Make sure that you find varieties that fit into your gardening situation.
A rule of thumb for when you are planting seeds in containers is to make the hole depth around three times larger than the seed itself. Some seeds need sunlight and should not be buried. Some common examples include ageratum and petunias. When in doubt about whether a seed requires direct sun exposure, you can find lots of information online or on the seed packaging itself.
If you want to do some organic gardening, plan ahead. Decide exactly which plants you're going to grow. There are a variety of environments that certain vegetables and flowers thrive in to grow. An example would be seen in the many different varieties of roses, as some will grow well in your garden, where other varieties may not. When choosing varieties, take into account not only your climate region, but also the specific planting environment, such as full sun, in boggy soil, etc.
Spray your garden plants with a mixture of one part milk and six parts water, on a regular basis. Doing so will help keep dangerous powdery mildew at bay. You can store the mixture in the fridge for as long as three weeks. You can use this every day until there is no mildew.
Put an organic material, such as mulch two or three inches deep, in your flower beds. This will discourage weeds from growing, add nutrients, and retain the moisture in your garden. It also adds a uniform and cohesive look to the garden.
Creating a new bed for your perennials is easy. Use a spade to cut and flip over your turf, then cover the new bed with wood chips. After a few weeks, you can cut into the new bed and plant your perennials.
When preparing a home-cooked meal, save your excess vegetable trimmings and mix them in with the soil in your garden. The vegetables will quickly decay adding valuable nutrients back into your soil. Some may be used for compost, but using a bit of it immediately can really help.
Trap that rainwater! You can trap the water in barrels to use in your garden. This will save you a lot of money in water bills. The best thing about rainwater is that it is free. Rainwater also does not contain the added chemicals that tap water has.
While you may have heard a few things here and there about composting, how much do you really know about it? It is a mixture or combination of leaves, grass clippings, wood-chips, produce scraps, straw, and some small twigs that had the chance to break down into a "pseudo-soil." Make some compost, and start using that rather than costly commercial fertilizers.
Organize the chores for your organic garden so they do not pile up. You may not have a lot of time to exclusively devote to your gardening hobby, but you can make the most of the time you do have. For example, if you are playing in the yard with your child, take a few moments to pull some weeds as well.
In conclusion, creating and maintaining an organic garden requires hard work, effort and research. Persistence is also a necessary ingredient for success. Remembering the above tips, you can successfully grow an organic garden.

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Use These Tips To Become Skilled At Organic Gardening

Tending to an organic garden can be a highly rewarding and calming activity that anyone can participate in. If you lack experience as a gardener, it is perfectly natural to be somewhat intimidated by the thought of all that work. Are you interested in cultivating green gardens and earning that green thumb? Read the advice provided in this article!
Maneuver the trees you plant around your home so that they are in a location that is optimal for shade over the home. If you plant your trees in the correct locations, you can save money on your heating and cooling bills, as they will provide a block from chilly winter wind, and cooling shade in the summer.
As a good general practice, you should make sure to plant your seeds three seed-widths deep into their containers. It is important to note though, that not all seeds are covered to this depth, as some need direct sunlight to grow properly. Among the seeds meeting this definition are ageratum and petunias. If you are unsure about your seed's requirements for sunlight, the resources are often provided along with the seeds, or you can find out online.
You should use wood that is untreated, brick or stone when building the raised bed. If you choose wood, ensure that it has not been treated with a sealant or other chemicals. Some good choices include locust, cypress, and cedar. In order to avoid toxic substances from getting into the ground and perhaps into your vegetables, avoid using treated wood to enclose or demarcate different sections of your vegetable garden. If you have built a bed with treated lumber already, use a barrier such as plastic to line the bed.
Mulch your flowers and trees with three inches of organic materials. This method will save you money by conserving water and is good for the environment, too. Don't worry about how your garden will look using this method. It'll look wonderful.
Use companion plants in your organic garden. Certain varieties of plants can actually help other plants grow when they are planted nearby. Some companion plants have environmental benefits, such as pest reduction or soil enrichment, so that you do not need to use harmful chemicals. Garlic and onion plants, for example, emit a strong odor that some pests find distasteful.
Here is a great way to make organic gardening fun and easy. Plan out the landscaping with mainly native bushes, flowers, and grasses. If you select plants able to thrive in your climate, soil variety and indigenous neighbors, you can cut the amount of fertilizer and pesticide you might need. By planting native plants that are used to growing in your location, you will see that they can gain their nutrients from the compost that is made from the surrounding plants and native ingredients.
To get a good start, look below the surface! For example, you want to avoid tomato seedlings that have several green starts and a weak root system. These starts will stick to the seedlings for quite some time, which prevents the seedlings from growing until the starts are gone.
Use at least three inches of organic materials to mulch trees and flowers. This strategy is highly effective because it benefits both your wallet and your planet. Water conservation is a major environmental concern that accompanies other, non-organic gardening practices. The proper amount of mulch also makes for a very attractive appearance.
Pay attention to how much light your indoor plants are getting. If your dwelling does not enjoy a great deal of natural sunlight, it makes sense to grow only those varieties meant to thrive in such environments. If you cannot achieve success merely through plant selection, consider using artificial light sources.
If slugs are problematic in your garden, you can use an all-natural beer trap to do away with them. Bury a canning jar so that the open mouth and the soil top are level. Pour beer into the jar until it's almost full. Leave an inch of space between the beer and the jar top. Slugs will be attracted by the beer and fall into the jar.
When growing organic plants indoors, it is important to consider the amount of light that is available to them. If you live somewhere without strong natural sunlight, you might want to look into growing plants that thrive in lower-light environments. If you still are unable to get enough light to your plants, consider purchasing grow-lights.
Organic gardening will help you create a truly fresh and nutritious garden. Although organic gardening isn't easy since you have to put in time and effort and wait for results, the health benefits make it worth it.

Wednesday, 12 September 2012

Organic Gardening Tips That Will Help You Grow Better Food

There are a lot of methods out there for creating a brilliant organic garden. You just need to learn them and use them.
Try to use untreated wood, brick or stone and make a raised bed. If you choose to use wood, make sure it is naturally rot resistant and untreated. Good choices are cypress, cedar and locust. Take care to avoid wood that has been chemically treated when your garden will hold vegetables, since unknown substances in the wood can make their way into your future food. If you are already using treated lumber, you can use plastic liners, or a different barrier, in order to protect your garden.


Cultivating a truly organic garden requires you to pay careful attention to the things that you use to maintain it. Always look into natural solutions before turning to chemicals. If you haven't already tried it, consider making your own compost. Inorganic fertilizers can cause toxic chemicals to buildup. That's why it's best to use an organic method.
With just a small amount of steps, you can add a new garden just for any of your perennials. Use a spade to slice beneath the turf and flip it. Next, the area should be buried in a three- to four-inch layer of wood chips. Let it sit for a few weeks, and then plant your new perennials.
Save your leaves after raking your yard. You can use them as organic compost in your garden. Leaves decompose, and this makes a healthy organic compost rich in nutrients for your plants. This is a free way to boost the health of your garden's soil.
Include your children in your efforts to organic gardening. Helping a garden grow is an excellent learning experience for kids, and it allows your family to spend time together while creating healthy, nutritious foods.
In order to start a garden, you are going to need to know how to make beds. Begin by slicing beneath the turf using a spade. Once this is accomplished, flip it over and cover the affected area with wood chips a few inches in depth. Wait for a few weeks to pass, then cut into it for planting.
When making your own compost, a very cost-effective technique is to utilize fruit peelings and other leftover pieces of fruit. Fruit peels and other organic waste creates spectacular compost. These all-natural items will give your garden a very healthy, vibrant look, and the cost is very low when compared to store-bought compost.
The growth of organic garlic is simple. Plant individual cloves of garlic in the early spring or fall in moist, well-drained soil. Lay each bulb into the ground ends up at a distance of about 4 inches away from the next bulb and 1-2 inches down into the soil. Green garlic shoots can be cut as they grow, and used in place of chives or scallions. Each bulb can be harvested when the top has begun to brown. Leave the bulbs out the sunshine for a few days until the skin gets hard. Store them in a cool, dry location. You can store them as loose bulbs, or fasten them together into bunches.
Pay attention to how much light your indoor plants are getting. If your dwelling does not enjoy a great deal of natural sunlight, it makes sense to grow only those varieties meant to thrive in such environments. If you cannot achieve success merely through plant selection, consider using artificial light sources.
Using a large amount of mulch in your garden will save water. Adding additional mulch means your plants will require less water. The mulch could be store-bought, made from decayed plant material or comprised of tree bark. The most important thing is to have an adequate supply of it.
Making compost is a wonderful way to get fertilizer for the garden. An effective technique is to start a worm compost container. Purchase red wriggler worms, then cultivate your compost bin with a combination of the worms, dirt, leftovers from your dinner table and shredded newsprint.
Now, you shouldn't get your hopes up and believe that a few tips are going to turn you into an instant professional gardener. However, these tips are a great starting point if you do plan to grow organically. As you implement these tips and hone your skills, you'll be a professional green-thumb-holder in no time.

Tuesday, 11 September 2012

Information On Growing A Better Organic Garden

In the world of organic gardening, there are plenty of great resources available to both new and experienced organic gardeners alike. There are many e-guides, books, videos, and other resources available. This set of tips contains some of the best advice for helping a good organic gardener become a great organic gardener.


It is a good idea to get organic garden certification so as to reaffirm your claims that your products really are organic. This attracts customers who are willing to drive a little farther and pay a little more for products that are safe and healthy.
Stagger you vegetable planting so you will have a new harvest every month or so. This can give you a steady supply to tomatoes and reduce an overabundance at any given time. This will also prevent the entire harvest from spoiling if there are any problems.
With just a small amount of steps, you can add a new garden just for any of your perennials. Use a spade to slice beneath the turf and flip it. Next, the area should be buried in a three- to four-inch layer of wood chips. Let it sit for a few weeks, and then plant your new perennials.
One of the most important things to consider when plotting your garden is to make note of your available space. You must think of how much room the plants will take up as they grow, and it easy to underestimate this. Space is necessary for the plants, but air circulation is also important. Because of this, you should always take the time to ensure that there's enough distance between all your seeds.
If you want a sustainable garden, leave part of it undisturbed as a home for the wildlife in the area. This is a great natural way to allow the insects and animals found in nature to assist with the growth of your garden.
Mulch your garden to keep the soil nourished. A couple of inches of mulch will protect what lies beneath it. It can also keep the ground from overheating during hot weather, which will protect the roots of your plants from damage. This will ensure your soil stays moist by reducing the time in which it evaporates. This is also a good way to control the weeds.
Add used coffee grounds to your garden soil. Coffee grounds contain many of the essential nitrogenous nutrients that plants are able to use. The coffee grounds act as a powerful nitrogen source that will help your plants bloom much quicker.
Use at least three inches of organic materials to mulch trees and flowers. This strategy is highly effective because it benefits both your wallet and your planet. Water conservation is a major environmental concern that accompanies other, non-organic gardening practices. The proper amount of mulch also makes for a very attractive appearance.
Preparing the soil for your perennial garden is easy. Use a spade to dig into the turf, turn the turf over, then spread the area with approximately three inches of wood chips. Give the area a couple of weeks, then dig into it and plant your new perennials.
Organic gardening can be more difficult than gardening with chemicals, but the end result makes it worth it. While chemical companies may make astounding claims about their products, growing organically is the most rewarding option for you and those who consume your crops.
Making compost is a wonderful way to get fertilizer for the garden. An effective technique is to start a worm compost container. Purchase red wriggler worms, then cultivate your compost bin with a combination of the worms, dirt, leftovers from your dinner table and shredded newsprint.
An organic garden provides many benefits to your health, so understanding the various plants and options you can grow is crucial. Apply the tips you just read to start your garden to save money and eat healthier foods.

Thursday, 6 September 2012

Fantastic Organic Gardening Tips That Really Work

Are you scared of what chemicals lurk in commercial fertilizer or pesticides? No longer worrying about these toxic chemicals is just one of the many benefits of gardening organically. Also, many organic gardening techniques are quite inexpensive. Here are some helpful techniques to help you learn to garden organically.
Maneuver the trees you plant around your home so that they are in a location that is optimal for shade over the home. If you plant your trees in the correct locations, you can save money on your heating and cooling bills, as they will provide a block from chilly winter wind, and cooling shade in the summer.
Grow items that are high in value, either in terms of money or in terms of your love for them. Certainly, different people place different ranges of values on various types of plants. If you're growing plants that are expensive to buy, you can save a lot in the future. Plant your favorite fruits and vegetables and enjoy the harvest.
Spray the plants in your garden with a mixture created with six parts of water and one part milk, on a daily basis. This will keep powdery mildew away. This all-natural mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for as long as three weeks. You can use it once each day until mildew is no longer a problem.
Biodiversity is a key element of your organic garden. A larger variety of plants in your garden will attract more wildlife. Adding a variety of plants to your garden will mimic the look of a natural environment. Different varieties can give you a pleasant garden to relax in, while doing good things for the environment.
Using a good amount of mulch is a wonderful method to conserve water in your garden at home. The greater the amount of mulch you can supply, the less water you'll have to use. Mulch can consist of commercial products or even wood and twigs from your trees and old plants. It doesn't matter as long as you have enough.
In the past, organic garden was viewed as a passing fancy. Today, however, we know that it is much more than that. In olden days, pilgrims were encouraged to plant a fish with their seeds when they sowed them into the ground. You can begin a compost pile so that you can create organic fertilizer for use in your organic garden. The effect is threefold--you produce less waste, improve the yield of your garden and help the environment by recycling.
Use an aged laundry basket when you want to collect your produce. An old basket will act like a strainer does. Rinse the produce while it sits in the basket, the extra water will go through the holes in the basket.
Find crops that are of a high value to grow in your garden. No two people are going to agree on the exact value of a plant because personal preferences vary. Growing crops that are expensive at the grocery store will offset some of the money spent growing them. So, plant things that you love and enjoy their results.
When you water your organic garden, choose a soaker hose for the best results. You can direct the water to the roots, and let it seep slowly. They don't waste water like sprinklers and get the job done much faster than hand-watering does.
Plastic bags can be kept on hand and reused to slip over your dirty gardening shoes. When you do this, your flow stays going, and you can just get right back out to your garden and finish quick.
Plant ever-bearing strawberries for your children in the organic garden. Children find it fun to pick strawberries and love to assist with the harvest if they get some yummy treats as they work.
An organic garden provides many benefits to your health, so understanding the various plants and options you can grow is crucial. Apply the tips you just read to start your garden to save money and eat healthier foods.

Saturday, 1 September 2012

Organic Gardening Tips To Help You Ditch The Toxic Garden Chemicals

There are many different reasons for adopting organic gardening methods. For example, some people prefer to use organic gardening to cultivate edibles for the dinner table. But, you need to put in a lot of effort to grow your garden effectively. Knowing where to start when planning an organic garden can be a little confusing.
While organic gardening takes a little extra work, it is healthier and more gratifying than regular gardening. While chemical-based gardening products make bold claims, it is hard to dispute that organic gardening consistently produces superior results.
Use ample mulch to help your plants to retain enough water. Covering the ground with mulch cuts back on the need for watering your plants. You can use store-bought mulch, composted lawn trimmings, or chipped wood from fallen or trimmed limbs. It doesn't matter as long as you have enough.
Water containing some aspirin helps your plants fight illness. One and a half aspirin, dissolved in two gallons of water, can be a great addition to your plants. The simple practice of spraying them with the mix will help them fight off diseases. Apply this solution to your plants every few weeks.
A cheap, easy way to build your compost pile is to add fruit peels and scraps from your kitchen. Each of these ingredients makes for rich, organic compost that nourishes your flowers and vegetables and costs next to nothing.
You may be able to find botanical insecticides locally, which are often very helpful for preventing pest infestations. These natural insecticides can often be more effective than synthetically engineered pesticides. But, because they are made of natural materials, these types of insecticides frequently fade much faster.
In order to start a garden, you are going to need to know how to make beds. Begin by slicing beneath the turf using a spade. Once this is accomplished, flip it over and cover the affected area with wood chips a few inches in depth. Wait for a few weeks to pass, then cut into it for planting.
One way to profitably sell products from your organic garden is to be a credible organic gardener. Get organically certified. This will increase your sales, and it will prove to your customers that they have quality products.
When preparing a home-cooked meal, save your excess vegetable trimmings and mix them in with the soil in your garden. The vegetables will quickly decay adding valuable nutrients back into your soil. Some may be used for compost, but using a bit of it immediately can really help.
Using a good amount of mulch is a wonderful method to conserve water in your garden at home. Mulch can decrease your need to water plants because it provides and conserves the moisture available to your plants. The mulch could be store-bought, made from decayed plant material or comprised of tree bark. It is important to use a large amount of whatever mulch you have.
Remember to plan for adequate spacing when you first lay out an organic garden. Amateur gardeners often make the mistake of failing to leave enough space for fully matured plants. Plants don't just need enough space for their physical size; they also need enough space for the air in your garden to circulate properly. Plan accordingly and put an appropriate amount of distance between seeds.
Mulch your garden to keep the soil nourished. Mulch can give your soil some additional protection and nourishment. This protective effect is especially important during the summer, as it protects the roots from the effects of the heat. The soil will also stay moist longer because it reduces evaporation. Mulch is also great for controlling weed growth.
Gardening is within everybody's reach, but you will only make the most of your gardening experience with knowledge. Try using these organic tips.