June 2008

Creating your Organic Garden

An organic garden can be easy and enjoyable. The basic component to make a garden organic is the use of 100% organic goods which are chemical free. It's using natural ingredients to feed the soil rather than the plant.

It is very important that you have the basic knowledge of gardening before you jump start on it. Moreover with an organic garden you should have more knowledge of organic fertilizers and nutrients required for these types of gardens and organic pest control systems. It takes an average of two years before any dramatic changes occur after abandoning chemicals. And during those two years, plant growth will seem much slower. But eventually, your organic garden will surpass the production of those traditional gardens down the street, hands down.

There are different reasons for creating a garden especially an organic one. The reasons can be different according to the gardener’s viewpoint. Examples:

1) Clean soil, which is required when growing organic foods, is likely to produce better results, which should mean better tasting food
2) It has also been said that organic foods can help to lower the risk of cancer
3) Harnessing the power of nature to cultivate healthy plants and vegetable also helps sustain the ecological balance
4) You can either want to supplement family members with food that you grow since the organic products can be more expensive
5) You would want to grow products because you are far from the local store
6) Or for sheer enjoyment.

Learn how to become an eco-friendly green thumb with these organic and pesticide-free gardening tips:

1- If this is the year you decide to convert, then start with improving the soil. Begin by adding organic matter like compost, shredded leaves and cow manure--the more the merrier to keep your soils from becoming tired.

2- Coffee grounds are a natural way to provide soil with nitrogen, which it needs to fertilize vegetables, flowers and grass. Save your coffee grounds and mix them with compost or garden soil. You can also ask your local coffee shop for spent coffee grounds.

3- The best time to apply compost to your garden soil is two to four weeks before you plant. This gives the compost time to get integrated and stabalized within the soil.

4- Mulching involves placing a layer of material around the base of plants to stabilize soil temperature, conserve soil moisture, and control weeds.

5- To protect your plants from animals that like eating your plants such as gophers, rabbits, squirrels, etc, use safe herbal pest repellants like garlic and hot-pepper sprays. Experiment with hot pepper and water in your blender.

6- To make every drop count, don't water in the middle of the day. Instead water in the early morning or wait until dusk, when the temperature and rate of evaporation are reduced. Soaker hoses deliver water directly to the base of the plant, reducing moisture loss through evaporation

7- Use plants in your landscape that are native to your area, or imported from areas with similar climate and soil. They require less water and care and won't die off in the winter. Most native trees rarely need pruning and feeding, and they fight off insects and diseases with natural defenses developed by Mother Nature.

8- Weeds can be controlled with a common full-strength household vinegar. It's an organic weed killer that's safe for you and the environment.

9- Sometimes all it takes to get rid of weeds is a little common sense! Instead of using harsh chemicals, try sprinkling stubborn weeds that spring up on pavement and brick surfaces with salt. This method won’t work with hardy dandelions unless you pull off the head, sprinkle salt on the exposed root and then pour on a cup of boiling water.

10- For Aphids problems, spray infested stems, leaves, and buds with a very dilute soapy water, then clear water. It works even on the heaviest infestation

11- Growing grass under big trees can be difficult, the trees not only soak up all the sunlight, they also suck moisture and nutrients from the soil. Grow hardy ground covers instead, such as English ivy, liriope, or Asian jasmine

12- For an easy victory, Geraniums are your garden's best friend. They are fairly drought tolerant, don't need fertilizer, and have no pest problems or diseases

13- Just remember that even on the hottest, driest days, potted plants and hanging baskets are the only plants that need watering every day.

14- Bugs can be friend. Some bugs, like ladybugs, feed on pests like leaf worms, mites, aphids and mealy bugs. See your garden center for possible friendly bugs. Organically minded business provide both supplies and advice .

15- Think "biodiversity". Using many different kinds of plants encourages many different kinds of beneficial insects to take up residence in your yard

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