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Get tips on designing an organic garden, and what types of vegetables, spices and other plants to grow, in this free organic gardening video lesson for beginners. …

Mary Hanna


The popularity of organic food and gardening has certainly increased over the last few years. Not only does it give you a sense of well being but people love the beauty of wonderful colored flowers and the taste of vegetables they helped create. Organic gardening tips on how to successfully start and care for an organic garden are becoming easier to find as this type of gardening continues to become more popular. Along with being relaxing, it is a very interesting hobby. Anyone can organically produce wonderful fruits, herbs and vegetables and know that they are healthy to eat and pesticide, herbicide and chemical free. There will always be garden pests but instead of using chemicals to deal with this problem, there are many organic gardening tips to get rid of them, similar to the way gardeners did many years ago before the use of pesticides and herbicides.

A good homemade pest deterrent to use in organic gardening is:

In a jar, combine 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid and 1 cup vegetable oil. Shake vigorously. In an empty spray bottle, combine 2 teaspoons of this mixture and 1 cup water. Use at ten-day intervals (or more often if needed) to rid plants of whiteflies, mites, aphids, scales, and other pests.

 

Following a few organic gardening tips, you will produce fruits, vegetables and herbs that are healthy, taste wonderful, are less expensive than buying produce at the grocery store and give you the peace of mind knowing exactly how they were grown and what was used on them. Aphids are annoying little insects that often cause a lot of damage in your garden. If you plant marigolds near your vegetable garden, the aphids will quit bothering your plants. If you already have an aphid problem, spray the infected plants with diluted soapy water and then spray them again with clear water. Organic gardening tips you should try are; instead of buying compost for your garden, which could contain chemicals, make your own while you cut down on garbage at the same time. Using your garden and kitchen waste is an excellent and very easy way to make your own compost. In your compost pile use peelings from carrots, potatoes and other vegetables, dead weeds, coffee grounds, egg shells and even the pruning from roses and other plants. The different textures help break down the compost quickly. Compost improves the soil texture, structure and aeration while enriching the soil, which stimulates root development. When choosing plants for your organic garden, make sure you choose ones that are well adapted for your area.

Here are a couple of great organic gardening tips that not only help keep your garden free of weeds but also keep the soil from drying out too quickly. Grass clippings and pine needles mixed or old newspapers make very good mulch, which keeps your garden weed free and the soil moist. Organic gardening tips help you grow healthy organic fruits and vegetable that you, your family and friends will love.

Most important of all, is to enjoy your organic garden and the fruits of your labor. Not only will you have the satisfaction of growing vegetables and herbs organically but you it will also inspire you in your culinary tasks.

Here’s to a great organic garden and fabulous, healthy meals.

Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.

Chris Dailey asked:


Although the concept of growing your own garden, let alone an organic garden, may seem difficult or foreign to most of us, learning how to grow an organic garden is not as difficult as it might seem. On a base level, it begins with using 100% organic products which are chemical and pesticide free. Whether or not you have tried to grow a garden in the past, despite your success level, gardening the organic way is not that much different. Here are a few tips on how you can begin your walk down the organic gardening pathway of life.

One of the first things you should consider are the benefits that organic gardening will provide you and your family. In today’s society, with the rising prices of fuel and various food products, having the ability to grow your own food at a fraction of the cost of buying it, is a benefit for all who learn how to grow food in their own garden. Organic gardening is an extra benefit because everything that you will be eating is pesticide and chemical free which is healthier for you and your family.

Our bodies are one of the most important things that we have to take care of on this planet. Our families are also important and we need to make sure that the food that we provide for them is not laced with ingredients that can help tear them down over time. This would include things such as herbicides and pesticides that can sit in the body and begin to poison it over time. We can make better choices, and it is a matter of implementing them in order to affect a change.

Right now, take a few minutes and write down the most abundant supply of vegetables an fruits that you eat. Think of a way that you can incorporate your organic gardening to start making this natural alternative ready for you and your family. By growing it yourself, you can save yourself thousands of dollars a year in food expenses. This way, you will be safe in knowing that the food you eat is ready to be consumed without worrying about the consequences.

To start off, you will need to get some fertilizers and bug repellent as you will not be using pesticides or anything chemical as you grow your organic garden. Organic fertilizers are readily available at your local nursery or plant store. You just have to find where they are available and purchase some for your gardening area. Depending upon the type of environment that you live in, and the type of plants that you will be growing, doing early research will allow you to narrow down the supplies you will need as you go along.

You should also consider the type of climate that you are in. If you live in a very warm area that is typically continuously warm, choose your plants accordingly for this type of climate. Likewise, if you lived in an arid area, there are certain kinds of plants that will not grow well and you should do your research as to see what crops for your organic garden would be best for your area. Other things to consider are the type of soil that you currently have and also how much sunlight exposure the plants that you want to grow will need.

There is an extra amount of work necessary when you have an organic garden because of weeds. Unlike a regular garden, weeds will naturally grow and you must do your part and remove them on a regular basis to keep them from spreading. Regular watering and the use of organic fertilization products will also help your plants grow large and strong.

One other thing to consider is that you need to have the space to do this in. Sure, you can create an organic gardening paradise in your home, but you need a lot of space, light, and a desire to make it work indoors that is usually worthwhile once it is set up and going. The are would have to be out of the mainstream of usual traffic, but by keeping it indoors, you can be assured of no temperature variations and shelter from elements that might otherwise kill or harm the crops you are going to grow.

Another tip is to consult local organic gardeners in your area and ask them what type of fertilizers that they use and what plants they are growing that are working out the best. By doing your homework ahead of time, you will save yourself much time and energy, if not money, as you begin to plant your organic crops for personal use and or profit and gain. Organic gardening can be a fun experience especially if you are prepared to do it right.



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Dale Martin


Organic gardening can be described as gardening without the use of man-made chemical pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Some say it provides the gardener a harmony with nature. It is not a new concept, but has become an increasingly popular type of gardening in recent years given the fact that everyone is going “green”. Organic can mean different things to different people. Organic gardening is a little more than just not using chemicals or non organic fertilizers on your garden. An organic gardener should consider his/her garden as part of the bigger picture in nature and life itself.

Organic gardening is a simple way to ensure that you are growing the highest-quality produce in a sustainable way that is healthy for the plants and the planet. It is one of the oldest methods of cultivation, and the food it will produce is not only healthier for you it’s less expensive to. You may find that it might become the most rewarding hobby, or lifestyle, you have ever undertaken. Organic gardening is a simple healthful way to convert living organisms into carbon compounds in a way that considers the whole of nature and its integral place in that scheme.

Organic gardening uses natural compost and manure to fertilize and grow plants and flowers. Since you will be using natural compost no harmful chemicals or pesticides are used on your plants. Some gardeners are willing to invest in some extras required by organic gardening because it ensures that no harmful pesticides or fungicides will be used. By growing a garden without chemical fertilizers, you will naturally build the soil to support healthy plant life. Chemical fertilizers and additives will, over time, damage the soil’s ability to provide what plants need to resist disease, insect attacks, and stress.

Organic gardening is all about balance between the soil and its nutrients, the water, the air, and of course your plants. It is easy, relaxing and fun. Being a green gardener means you don’t use synthetic fertilizers or pesticides on your plants. It is all about working with the land to build healthy soil and plants. Think of organic gardening as a system that combines all aspects of gardening: soil, water, plants, animals; even insects!

So if you’re considering organic gardening, it is an excellent way to grow your trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetables and plants. Your garden will benefit greatly from organic materials. It is an environmentally friendly, people friendly style of gardening. And its methods can be utilized by virtually anyone to create and maintain sustainable gardens, in the city or country. If you are thinking of starting an outdoor garden project you should consider giving the organic method a try. You will enjoy the accomplishment of growing you own healthy foods and enjoy the health benefits it can provide. It may take a while to figure out the best ways of doing things. I suggest picking up a few books on the subject and doing a bit of research on the types of tools you will need and the plants that work best. With a little practice you will be an expert gardener in no time at all.

Cindy Mauro asked:


Organic gardening has many advantages and this article will offer you 5 tips to make organic gardening easier.

Organic Gardening Tip #1:

Mulch your trees and flower beds with 3″ of organic material. When you use this organic gardening tip you will be able to add humus and nutrients. You can also conserve water and keep weeds at bay. If you are growing plants that need acid you can use a thick layer of pine needles. Organic gardening with pine needle mulch will be perfect if used in the fall because over the course of the winter they will decompose and the needed acid will be added naturally to the soil.

Organic Gardening Tip #2:

You need to maintain healthy soil if you want to be successful at organic gardening. The most important step in maintaining healthy soil while engaged in organic gardening is to keep on top of pest management. When pests are controlled in organic gardening the plants will be healthy and more able to withstand insect and disease damage. If you are bothered while organic gardening with aphids you can spray the infested leaves, stems and buds with a diluted solution of soapy water followed with clear water.

Organic Gardening Tip #3:

Try composting as part of your organic gardening regimen. When you make composting part of organic gardening you will improve the texture, soil structure and aeration. Composting also increases the capacity for the soil to hold water. There are organic and natural ways to fertilize when you are organic gardening. Try these instead of chemical fertilizers.

Organic Gardening Tip #4:

Organic gardening gardeners should always keep in mind the best plants for their soil, sun, temperature range and shade. All these factors come into play while organic gardening. Choosing well-adapted plant types is a way to ensure successful organic gardening. When you landscape your yard using organic gardening strategies you can increase your original investment by as much as 200%.

Organic Gardening Tips #5:

Organic gardening shade gardens are low maintenance. You will need less water and have fewer weeds to deal with. Speaking of weeds; try using full-strength household vinegar on a sunny day. Just spray on the plants and you have an organic gardening solution that is safe for people, pets, wildlife and the environment.

These organic gardening tips should come in handy for all organic gardeners, novice or experienced alike.



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uctelevision asked:

Join Robert Norris, Associate Professor and Associate Botanist at UC Davis, as he discusses home vegetable gardening. Topics include tools needed, recommended reading, ground preparation, planting dates, selection of varieties, and seed planting depths. Series: “California Master Gardener Lecture Series” [7/2002] [Science] [Agriculture] [Show ID: 6675]

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C.L. Hendricks asked:


For some the phrase living off the land brings back an audio memory of a song from the 1970?s; Dog Named Boo by Lobo. For others it means foraging and companionship farming. In the beginning of time all people lived off the land, hunting and gathering food. Eventually people learned how to grow crops and raise animals for food. ?These agricultural societies were dependent upon the land for their existence.

Living off the land, can mean learning how to grow food plants easily without employing high till, soil eroding methods requires that you give up the idea of neat rows of growing plants with dirt paths between them. A large amount of time is spent pulling weeds from traditional gardens. Weeds that are usually edible and give back nutrients that food plants remove from the soil.

American Indians used a method for producing three staple vegetables that they called the ?Three Sisters.? Using primitive stone and bone tools they would prepare the soil in a circle. They would mound up the dirt. In the center would they would plant corn. Close to the corn seed they would plant three bean seeds. Around the edge of the mound they would plant squash. As the corn grew the bean stalks would wind around the stalk of the corn. As the squash grew, the large leaves would help retain the moisture from the rains to keep all three growing strong. Each plant uses different nutrients from the soil and puts back what the other plants need. Each species contributed to the well being of the other.

Planting large leaved food crops such as squash, pumpkin and melons near other smaller leaved plants helps retain moisture in the soil. Planting quick growing plants like leaf lettuce and greens in the rows between longer growing plants such as beets and turnips you harvest food long before the next one is ripe. Planting flowers in between rows has been a common practice for companionship planting. The flowers draw the bees to the garden helping with pollination.

A word of caution: If you?re using heirloom seeds, keep pumpkins away from squash, and allow lots of space between corn varieties. While cross pollination of Blue Corn and Yellow Corn may be pretty it takes many years to return each to their genetic purity. Mounding on different sides of the area solves this problem. Pumpkins take to mound planting as well as squash. Watermelons and other melons also do well when planted with beans and corn. Heirloom varieties require about 100 feet between them to be safe from cross pollination.

Foraging is almost as important as companionship farming when living off the land. Wild fruits such as raspberry, blackberry, cranberries and blueberries grow wild. Gathering these add variety and flavor to the daily meal. Many wild greens, mushrooms and roots gathered when they are ripe also add nutrients to the diet long before garden plants are ready to harvest. Wild Mustard, Lambs Quarters and Amaranth are ready to be eaten when lettuce, spinach and turnip greens are just barely recognizable.

Later in the fall the various nuts gathered and added to the stores of food that the garden produces increases volume and variety. Walnuts, Butternuts, Hazelnuts, Beechnuts and Hickory nuts are just a few of the many nuts that grow on the North American continent. Nutmeats are high in oil that can be extracted for cooking and they are high in protein. They are well worth gathering.

Living off the land requires that you store what you grow and gather. Canning, water bath and pressure canning, through drying or freezing or cold storing the food that you have foraged or grown will feed you through the winter. Almost all the stems and stalks of food crop plants can be dried and then fed to livestock.

Chickens, turkeys, guinea hens, rabbits and goats are all valuable to a family that is living off the land. The birds will eat the left over plant produce as well as the bugs that bite and irritate. Using tractors, a type of small animal cage that is mobile, and the entire yard can be pest free all season long. Additionally using animal tractors keep your yard fertilized and “mowed” without you spreading any fertilizer or running the lawn mower.

The most important aspect of living off the land is the knowledge that you have provided a healthy, balanced diet for you and your family. Watching the fruits of your labor ripen on the vine or stalk, seeing that tiny egg grow into an adult bird with chicks of her own are things that no supermarket or grocery store can provide.



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Jack Gordon


all about organic gardening

The following article presents the very latest information on organic. If you have a particular interest in organic, then this informative article is required reading.

The best time to learn about organic is before you’re in the thick of things. Wise readers will keep reading to earn some valuable organic experience while it’s still free.

organic gardening

The following article covers a topic that has recently moved to center stage–at least it seems that way. If you’ve been thinking you need to know more about it, here’s your opportunity.

Those of you not familiar with the latest on gardening now have at least a basic understanding. But there’s more to come.

Organic Gardening

Organic gardening is the exact same as regular gardening except that no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides are used. This can make certain aspects difficult, such as controlling disease, insects, and weeds. Organic gardening also requires more attention to the soil and the many needs of plants.

Organic gardening starts with the soil. Gardeners must add organic matter to the soil regularly in order to keep the soil productive. In fact, compost is essential to the healthiness and well being of plants grown organically. Compost can be made from leaves, dead flowers, vegetable scraps, fruit rinds, grass clippings, manure, and many other things. The ideal soil has a dark color, sweet smell, and is full of earthworms. Some soil may need more natural additives than regular compost can give, such as bonemeal, rock phosphates, or greensand. A simple soil test will tell you the pH balance and which nutrients you will need to use.

One thing that makes even gardeners that are very serious about organic gardening reach for pesticides is insects on their plants. The best way to defend plants against insects is to take preventative measures. One thing that can be done is to make sure plants are healthy and not too wet or dry because insects usually attack unhealthy plants and if healthy, they can often outgrow minor insect damage. A variety of plant types is a good idea to keep pests of a particular plant type from taking out the entire garden.

Perhaps the best way to defend against insects is to make your garden enticing to insect predators, such as ladybugs, birds, frogs, and lizards. You can do this by keeping a water source nearby or by growing plants that attract insects who feed on nectar. Other ideas are sticky traps, barriers, and plant collars. There are some household items that prevent against insects too, like insecticidal soaps, garlic, and hot pepper.

To avoid plant disease in organic gardening, choose disease resistant plants and plant them in their prime conditions. Many diseases will spread because of constant moisture and bad air circulation, so the site of your garden and the way it is watered can help ensure against diseases.

Weeds can be an annoying and frustrating part of organic gardening. Organic mulch can act as a weed barrier, but for even better protection put a layer of newspaper, construction paper, or cardboard under the mulch. Corn meal gluten will slow the growth of weeds if spread early in the season before planting, as does solarization. There’s also the old-fashioned art of hoeing and hand pulling that always works. Your best bet in weed prevention is persistence. Mulch well and pull and hoe what you can; after a few seasons you can beat the weeds for good.

Organic gardening is an excellent way to assure that your plants will be free and clear of all pesticides and, if taken care of properly, will be as healthy as possible. Organic gardening may take a little more time and care than regular gardening, but after gardeners get the hang of it and figure out all the quirks of their garden, it is definitely worth the extra time.

There’s no doubt that the topic of gardening can be fascinating. If you still have unanswered questions about gardening, you may find what you’re looking for in the next article

There’s no doubt that the topic of organic can be fascinating. If you still have unanswered questions about organic, you may find what you’re looking for in the next article

Abhishek Agarwal asked:


Organic gardening today involves more than making a cultural impact. In fact, it is now considered an intelligent way of living in harmony with the natural environment. While fertilizers and chemical pesticides are extremely toxic and can prove fatal to useful plants and bugs, tending to your garden organically, using organic plant food, organic gardening supplies and natural lawn maintenance all prove very beneficial to the fragile ecosystem that makes up your garden.

The essentials of organic garden tending are:

1. Rich and fertile soil

2. Sturdy plants

3. Adequate water and sunlight

4. Organic feeds, pesticides, and fertilizers

If there is fertile soil, a good spread of manure and ample nutrients in your garden, then your work is made even more easy. Enriched soil is the foundation of an organic garden, organic gardening supplies, and natural lawn maintenance.

In the absence of fertile soil, it is not possible to achieve the same level of distribution of nutrients to the roots or the same level of defense against pests. Besides, without rich soil the groundwork for a good lawn cannot be laid down and even using organic garden supplies with self-assurance is not done on account of the beneficial effects being reduced by poor soil.

Moreover, sturdy plants can do much towards improving the organic garden, organic gardening supplies, and natural lawn maintenance. Selecting healthy plants free from disease makes certain that the diseases are not transmitted to your garden. A sturdy and tough plant can withstand better, adverse gardening conditions. Hence, if irrigation is not carried out regularly or there is blistering sunshine, sturdy plants are able to tolerate the vagaries of nature much better.

Organic Pesticides and Fertilizers

The maintenance of the organic garden, organic gardening supplies and natural lawn preservation are stipulated like add-ons in the diet of a sportsperson. Organic feeds are conditional on the kind of plants you wish to grow and the soil quality. Based on whether the levels of nitrogen are low or the level of potassium is grossly down one can choose to opt for a granite meal or blood meal.

An overall decent organic fertilizer will contain phosphorous, potash and nitrogen as its key nutrients. Even though manure has been used for the past so many years, at times levels of nutrients in the manure are far less than those in organic products.

In the case of lawns, a safe and reliable herbicide is corn meal gluten. A few gardeners use hot pepper sprays or soap to discourage insects or to get rid of aphids. Most of the organic gardeners just remove or wash out the bugs from the plants. In whichever way you seek to set up organic garden tending, organic feed, organic gardening supplies, and natural lawn maintenance as a part of your garden routine is left up to you.

There are several established methods, but then there is always room for improvement, to go organic and to be happy and healthy as a result of it.



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Matthew Hick asked:


While the most common way to begin your rose garden is certainly with plants that are about two years old and are already well on their way to flowering, it is also very possible to start a rose garden from seed. Growing roses from seed has become especially popular for cultivating heirloom or antique variety roses. It is even possible to create your own hybrids if you have the interest, time and patience to do so.

Rose seeds should be started indoors, in a soil of half potting soil and half vermiculite. The seeds will need careful watering and plenty of sunlight while you await the seedlings. Once seedlings emerge it is advisable to transplant them into individual pots and keep them growing in that way for at least a year before planting outside. Some experts would suggest keeping plants in controlled conditions and pots for up to 5 years before planting in the ground.

Once your seedlings are ready to be planted, the next step is to prepare the ground. Good soil preparation is essential to a healthy garden. To start, dig a hole about one foot in depth, adding compost or peat moss before planting. An additional layer of bone meal may also be added as you replace the first foot of soil and begin your planting.

Once your soil is ready, follow the planting directions for each individual variety. For most a hole about six inches larger and deeper than the plant you are putting in the ground is required. You should gently remove the plant from its container or wrapping, so as not to damage the root system during transplanting. Pack the soil back down around the plant and water thoroughly. At this time, it is also recommended to add a layer of mulch to control moisture and protect the root system as your plant grows.

While your newly planted roses will not need pruning for another growing season, any existing roses should be pruned. Early spring, just as the buds are beginning to swell, is the best time for pruning.

To keep your rose garden healthy and thriving, take the time to keep it clear of dangerous pests, fungus and rust . These, along with severe weather conditions can all be a danger. You can eliminate pests with simple pesticides just as needed. You can prevent and protect your plants from fungus and rust by watering always at the roots of the plant, never the leaves and by careful pruning and deadheading. Mulch will be your ally in keeping weather related damage at bay, both in summer and winter.

With some patience and a little work, your roses started from seed will eventually provide you with abundant flowering plants and a real sense of accomplishment.



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