Pat Lyne


Instead of chemicals in your soil and on your food, why not try organic gardening? You can start with just a few plants in pots or a small patch, or you can go whole hog and dig up half your yard!

Actually, if it’s your first garden, it’s better to start small. Gardeners have a tendency to plant more than they can reasonably care for – everything looks so great in the catalogs! But even though gardening is a lot of fun and a satisfying pastime, it’s also a lot of work. Half way through the growing season you may wish you’d been a little more moderate in your planting. It’s better to work your way up to that huge garden!

On Location…

Like the real estate agents are fond of saying, “It’s all about location, location, location.” Some plants will grow in the shade, but for most vegetables you need sunshine. An ample amount of sunshine is one thing you can’t provide artificially, unless you’re planning on a huge bank of portable lights out in your garden, and with the price of electricity these days, that’s a definite no-no.

Practically speaking, any garden, organic or otherwise, needs sunshine. Put your pots or garden plot where the plants will get at least 6 hours of sun a day for best results. While it’s nice to locate the garden close to the house for easy access, shade from the house or trees may not make that possible. Sunshine has priority over easy access.

Be sure your garden location not only gets ample sunshine, but drains well so the plants don’t sit in water. Fertile soil is a big plus, but if that’s lacking, you can always add soil amendments.

Down and Dirty

Adding compost will help your soil no matter what type it is. You can also use natural fertilizers and organic materials to improve the soil and help the plants grow. Most vegetable roots are in the top 6 inches of soil, so tilling or double digging will easily mix the materials into the soil where the roots can reach it.

Time to Plant

Seed catalogs and nurseries are brimming with all types of vegetables. Besides taking into account what you and your family like to eat, choose vegetables that will do well in your climate. For instance, some long season crops like sweet potatoes wouldn’t do well up north, while cool climate crops might not fare so well in the deep south.

Mulching your vegetables with organic material helps conserve water, adds humus and nutrients as well as discourages weeds from growing. It’s a great way to improve your garden soil and plants!

Don’t Let Them Bug You

Where there’s lovely young plants, there’s bugs looking for a meal. Hand picking caterpillars or other bugs off is one option, or spraying the plant with soapy water, or even plain water, will dislodge the bugs. There are also some organic products made for bug control.

Not all bugs are bad, and some are even beneficial. Bugs such as green lacewings, ladybugs, praying mantis, spiders and wasps eat the insects that try to eat your vegetables.

Companion planting with insect repellant plants such as marigolds or nasturtiums can also help keep bugs away from your garden.

It also helps to learn to live with a certain amount of imperfections. The vegetable doesn’t have to be perfect to taste good. You can cut off any problem spots before eating it.

Destroy Those Weeds!

Weeds have been defined as “a plant growing in the wrong place.” That pretty much sums it up. If it’s not something you planted, consider it a weed and hoe it out, pull it up, or till it under. However you do it, get it out of the garden. Those extra plants steal nutrients and water needed for your vegetable plants.

Ready, Set, Garden!

A good location, fertile soil, the right plants, and working to keep the garden weed and bug free are the right ingredients for a great garden. Growing an organic garden is a wonderful way to put superior tasting food in your diet. So get out there and get your garden growing!



Cathy

temp_139402


Ahhh the thought of planting organic seeds, turning over dirt so we can have some of the best and healthiest organic vegetables in the world. For most of us we are happy to eat organic fruit and vegetables but there are some people that really want to have organic foods and willing to do what they have to so they can have it, and that’s great and its so much more healthier for us. You can buy organic food or if we have the time and the space you can grow your own. Yeah I know it’s a lot more work but hey its good exercise and its less expensive that’s just a few of the benefits. So if you want to lets go back to the roots and I really mean the roots in our back yards or maybe a peace of land we my have. Choose a sunny location where water is readily available to create a garden plot.

Most vegetables do best in full sun, but if the plot does not receive full sun all day, try to find a place that gets at least six hours of sunlight.Once you decide you really want to grow your own organic vegetables get prepared to meet your best friend. He will be a big help to you in making your vegetable organic garden dreams come true. His name is red wiggler he is an earth worm that works very hard for you and only thing he needs is dirt and more dirt and he will start working for you. He will keep your dirt nice and fresh for you so that you can plant the seeds for any organic vegetable garden you want. And guess what he works for free just give him dirt and he will be so happy. These species are commonly found in organic rich soils and especially prefer the special conditions in rotting vegetation, compost and manure piles. Composting worms are available from nursery mail-order suppliers or angling (fishing) shops where they are sold as bait, they can also be collected from compost and manure piles.

They are not the same worms that are found in the ground or on your driveway on a rainy day. Small-scale vermicomposting is well-suited to turn kitchen waste into high-quality soil, where space is limited. Together with bacteria, earthworms are the major catalyst for decomposition in a healthy vermicomposting system, although other soil species also play a contributing role: these include insects, other worms and molds. In my compost chapter I will talk alot more about that. So start working on your very own organic vegetable garden today. For more information on organic gardening go to www.Teegoes.org



Dave

Matthew Hick


Centuries ago, William Shakespeare’s Juliet said, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.” Perhaps the saying is not as true as we would think. As modern rose gardening developed, so did the hybridizing of rose varieties. Encouraged to produce hardier specimens with larger blooms and heavier producing plants, rose growers cross-pollinated their specimens. The results are the hybrid tea roses and floribunda roses so popular and prevalent in today’s gardens. The heirloom rose, however, is poised for a comeback.

Heirloom roses, also known as antique roses, are defined as a variety of rose that is at least one hundred years old. These specimens have been carefully cultivated through the years so that plants can still be produced from their seeds. Though the number of actual varieties is hard to pinpoint, they fall into several categories. These Antique varieties are the Gallicas, the damasks, the albas, the centifolia and the moss. They are all prized for their heady fragrance and their large, beautiful blooms. Although modern growers have created hybrid roses as a kind of evolution, these antique varieties are as simple to grow as the hybrid tea and the floribunda.

Heirloom rose websites are abundant and your local garden center may even stock some antique varieties. Your local garden club or horticultural society may be an invaluable resource in finding the types that are most well suited to your climate and soil.

The same principles of rose gardening apply, whether you choose an heirloom variety or its descendants, but you may want to add some period flavor to your heirloom garden in the form of a Victorian gazing ball. You could also spice up a brand new gazebo with a lovely antique climbing variety.

Remember some basic rose care is always in order, so be sure to water at the base of the plants only. Leaves, stems and flowers should be avoided. This will help keep mold and rust away, which can damage your delicate plantings. Always keep the roots of your plants free of debris including fallen leaves, and practice careful and thoughtful pruning. Early spring pruning will ensure a healthy, productive plant throughout the summer season. Prune using a good quality shear and heavy gloves to protect your hands from thorns, paying careful attention to the center of the plant to increase the amount of air that can circulate through the plant later in the season.

You should aim to remove all dead wood, weak growth and old canes. Cutting to a standard height, depending on your particular variety will produce a strong, flowering plant. Be sure, also to clean your pruning shears with rubbing alcohol after each use to prevent mold or fungus from invading your plants.

With so many heirloom varieties to choose from, your garden will be a spectacular display of blooms throughout the season. You will also have the satisfaction of keeping the tradition of heirloom roses alive in your own landscape.



Regina

Edward R. Holman


Using seeds in a garden takes a different kind of preparation.  When you go to the store and purchase a plant, you have an idea of what it will look like, where you want to put it, and how you expect things to turn out.  Seeds change the variables a bit, and add another layer to your gardening experience.

When you purchase seeds, you have to make sure that you are getting seeds from a reputable dealer.  All seeds have some percentage of non-bloomers, but you want to minimize that quantity by buying quality seeds.  After all, you are paying for seeds to flower, not for them to sit there in a pot.  Utilizing pots or greenhouses you can begin seeding early in spring and have plants ready to go into the ground once the likelihood of frosts have been eliminated.  You calculate back from the ground ready date given on the seed packet, figure out how long you need and start your seeds at the appropriate time.

Seeds in pots need regular care like watering, feeding and culling.  Well-tended seeds begun in pots will do as well, if not better than, the seedlings you acquire at nurseries.  One of the key advantages of seeds is that you gain access to the incredible variety of heirloom quality plants that never make it to your local DIY store as seedlings.  By selecting seeds based on what your garden layout will be, you get exactly what you want.  You are no longer restricted to the flowers that transport well and survive casual care at the stores.  You get to paint your own gardening picture precisely the way you saw it in your imagination.

Seeds give you a type of gardening freedom that simply can’t be found in any other manner.  Learning how to incorporate flower seeds into your garden is a good way to expand your options and recolor your world.



Shawn

Stephen Johnson


Ask any gardener if they’d like to have a greenhouse and you’ll get a resounding “Yes!”. There are many factors that make having your own greenhouse an attractive proposition. A greenhouse allows you to grow out of season. You can use a greenhouse to grow plants that might not thrive in your climate. A home greenhouse can get your spring planting off to a super early start. It’s easy to grow your veggies from seed, using heirloom and unusual varieties of plants you won’t find at your local nursery. The cost of a ready made greenhouse can be substantial.

When you build a greenhouse, the savings are significant. When you start from seed, not only do you save money over buying starts from the nursery, but you can baby those plants and get a superior plant, as well as a wider choice in varieties. If you’d like to build a greenhouse to enjoy all the benefits a greenhouse offers, it’s not so difficult as you might think. It’s a step-by-step process almost anyone can do. It can be a weekend process, executed week by week. You’ll also gain a lot of satisfaction when you build a greenhouse on your own.

Your first step is to identify your purpose. Your purpose will make a difference in what features you’ll need to include in your plans. For example, if you want to raise orchids as a hobby, but you live in a cold climate, you’ll need to include some specialized equipment to ensure proper humidity and heat. Maybe you live in a temperate zone, but want to start a little home business, raising starts from seed for local customers, supplying them with all the annuals and perennials they want for their own gardens. Perhaps you want to raise flowers to sell to florists. Each of these objectives requires different equipment. So, when you plan to build a greenhouse, step one is identifying your purpose.

Once you’ve established your purpose, do a little research online. Check the DIY gardening sites, as well as general garden websites for any number of ‘how to build a greenhouse’ plans. You’ll find a variety of styles and sizes, with detailed plans and diagrams. Examine each of these closely to see which fit your objectives, and are within your skill set.

Take a look at some of the online book vendors too. There are some excellent and inexpensive books devoted entirely to how to build a greenhouse. Sunset Books puts out a book on building greenhouses which includes a number of styles, from a simple window greenhouse to a sophisticated greenhouse structure suited to growing those orchids in Minnesota. Each plan is accompanied with details on the types of special equipment you might need, including venting, fans and heating. These also tell you the advantages of glass versus plastic, the appropriate type of foundation and flooring, as well as how to build staggered benches to maximize your growing space.

Remember, too, if you want to build a greenhouse, the cost of the investigative stage is next to nothing. What have you got to lose? Just think of the rewards!



Lyle

Mary Hanna


To be successful at organic vegetable gardening you must draw up detailed plans. The soil is your first consideration; how to make it rich and fertile, and how to prepare it so harmful pests won’t attack your vegetable garden. The two ways that organic vegetable gardening differs from conventional gardens is the usage of fertilizer and how to keep pests under control. Phosphorous, nitrogen and potassium are the three components essential to your organic garden.

For lush, green foliage you must have nitrogen. For strong roots and stems phosphorus is needed. And for the important protection from disease and brief cold snaps, potassium is a must. Let’s call them the big three. The big three are available in commercial fertilizers however they are synthetic. In organic vegetable gardening the big three are added in a much different way.

The best way of enriching your soil is by compost. Dig some pits in your back yard to start your compost from kitchen refuse. Use things like pine needles, corn stalks, leaves, carrot tops, fruits or vegetables that have spoiled, manure, egg shells and coffee grinds. Some organic gardeners use weeds in their compost but I do not recommend this for obvious reasons. As the compost materials decompose they release bacteria and fungi into the soil that you are preparing. The bacteria and fungi convert nutrients like nitrogen to ammonia and nitrates that will be usable for your vegetables. Use substances such as seaweed, potash salts, tobacco stems and wood ash to help make potassium in your compost. By making your own compost, you are controlling the mixture and balance to achieve the right combination for your organic vegetable garden.

To be absolutely sure that your compost has completely broken down and is now offering up the right balance, start working it into the soil at least two weeks before you plan on planting.

The pH in the soil must be right for healthy plants. Test your soil, if it has a ph of 0 it is very acidic, while a 14 is extreme alkaline. Of course a seven indicates neutral soil. To raise the pH of the soil inexpensively use ground limestone. An additional benefit of the limestone is that it contains magnesium something that most soils lack. If, on the other hand, you have extreme alkaline soil use sulpher to bring the pH down.

Pest control in organic vegetable gardening is also different that conventional gardening. In many conventional beds gardeners wish to eradicate all pests with pesticides. Many in organic gardening only wish to keep the pest population down so to have a balance in the garden. Obviously, whenever possible, plant pest resistant vegetables. In order for harmful organisms to grow, they need bright sunlight so keep thick mulch around the plants to deny the organisms that needed sunlight and to help hold moisture into the ground. If you find you have a heavy infestation here is a natural pest control formula:

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.

Follow this tips and you are on your way to raising a healthy and plentiful organic vegetable garden.

Happy Gardening!

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.



Travis

Davinos Greeno


A key point to add at this stage is the difference between organically grown grapes – fruit from vineyards grown without the use of industrial fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides and pesticides – and wines made without synthetic preservative additives.

Organic Vineyards – Where it all begins!

An organic vineyard is one where grapes are grown without chemical fertilizers, weed killers, insecticides, or other synthetic chemicals. This prevents damage to soil and ensures that no chemicals end up in the wine as residue. Organic farmers aim to maintain healthy, biologically active soil whose fertility is provided by plants that fix nitrogen from the air. In the vineyard it means planting cover crops between the avenues of the vines instead of applying herbicide. Naturally occurring plant or mineral extracts leave no residue in the soil, and weeds are kept down with the use of mechanical and hand hoes. Biodiversity is promoted through the plants, which help regulate the vineyard soil by attracting beneficial insects, spiders and predatory mites.

The Role of Certification and the Organic Market

When a label says organic, it means the wine has met certain standards that are set by a government agency. Different nations have their own certification criteria, so whats organic in one country may not be so in another. In the UK the Soil Association is the most recognized and used certification body.

Many wineries that are technically organic still choose not to be certified. There are many reasons for this. Some do not want the added costs and bureaucracy of registering. Others may disagree with their governments standards. Whatever the case, they are not allowed to use organic on their labels.

There is a national government target for 30 per cent of all UK farmland to be organic or in conversion by 2010, and 20 per cent of the food consumed to be organic by 2010. The UK grocery market was worth $206 billion in 2006 and USA 634.7$ billion. This growth in the organic food market will have a knock on effect on the drinks industry and will meet the ever-growing demand from consumers for organic wine, which is better for drinkers and better for the environment.

Financial Incentives to Companies to turn Organic

In 2005, 39% of the world organic farmland is in Australia and New Zealand. To combat this The European Union (EU) offers financial support to organic farmers as an incentive for farmers to convert to organic production and help the sector grow. These grants provide farmers with assistance during the period of conversion to organic farming which usually takes three years.

Organic spirits

While not so widely available as organic wine, organic spirits are available through specialist suppliers. The production process for organic spirits does not differ widely from conventional production. The main difference lies in the use of organic raw materials. Organic beers tend to use organic hops in production. Organic beer is now available in a number of pubs and supermarkets throughout the UK.

Fancy visiting an organic vineyard?

If you are into Organic wine why not visit Englands Premier organic vineyard. In addition to processing fruit on site, Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard is one of the main tourist attractions in the 1066 Country region in and around Hastings attracting some 5,000 visitors per annum to its Vineyard & Woodland Nature Trail + Wine tasting.

To buy organic wine or to read more organic related articles go to the Organic Directory in GuideMeGreen.com

Visit Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard



Emma

Organic Gardener


Grow a cutting garden and enjoy flowers indoors and out

If you feel guilty when you cut flowers in your garden, worrying that you’re destroying nature or leaving gaps in your flowerbeds, it may be time for you to plant a cutting garden, says the American Association of Nurserymen (AAN). A cutting garden is designed to provide flowers for indoor arrangements, and it will give you a new perspective on removing flowers from your garden.

Choosing the Right Flowers and Plants

As with any garden, the first step in planning your cutting garden is to select plants that grow well in your part of the country. Ask the experts at your local garden center for their suggestions, and keep in mind your soil conditions, the amount of sun or shade your garden receives and how much it rains.

Selecting a Color Scheme

After you’ve decided which plants will thrive at your site, choose a color scheme, whether bright and vivid primary colors, soft and muted pastel shades or dusty earth tones. Since the purpose of a cutting garden is to grow flowers to use indoors, think about how flowers of certain colors will look when you place them in main rooms of your house.

Finally, plant flowers and plants in such a way that no one will notice that you frequently forage for new material for your indoor bouquets. One way to achieve a continuously balanced look in your cutting garden is to group your plantings by color, so that when you clip several blue flowers one day and several yellow flowers another, the overall appearance of the garden is still one of continuity and growth.

You can also fill in around your flowers with shrubs and larger, bushy plants that can easily spare a few leaves or berries, as well as plant a mix of perennials, annuals and bulbs so your garden will bloom all year ’round.



Shannon

David Karlson


 

It is very easy to grow as much as fresh organic veggies as you want in your backyard. All you require to do is to look for some Organic vegetable seeds and sow them.

 

Purchasing Organic vegetable seeds is a superb idea as you can get the best of vegetables at affordable prices and the best part is that these are free of harmful chemicals and pesticides. The cultivation of organic vegetables is done in a different pattern. The procedure looks for primitive type of agriculture. Here, it means that none of the chemicals, artificial fertilizers or pesticides will be brought in use.

 

The cultivation of organic vegetables and herbs is done known as Cascadian farm. The technology is known to provide some tastier, healthier and prettier vegetables. Growing vegetables is possible even in a container if you do not have a garden.

 

The key to grow organic vegetable in your garden is to get some best quality organic vegetable seeds. You need too find a place that provides you authentic seeds.

 

There are several places where you can purchase organic vegetable seeds. Here are some of the options.

 

a) Local Nursery: You can easily get some fabulous organic vegetable seeds near your home. All you require to do is to visit a local nursery and check out the kind of varieties and qualities available.

 

b) Garden stores: These are potential sourness of varied types of organic vegetable seeds. You need to visit this place to find out what your garden actually needs.

 

c) Local phone directory: You need to grab a copy of a local phone directory and call up some of the nurseries for the sects you want to order.

 

d) Home centers: Home centers that sell many home repair supplies consist of a special gardening section. You can easily get organic vegetable seeds from here.

 

e) Farm supply stores: These are found in abundance in rural areas. You can find some genuine quality organic vegetable sects here.

 

f) Seed catalogs: It is easier to order bulk organic vegetable seeds from seed catalogs. This will let you deriver the stuff straight to your doorstep.

 

g) Online seed stores: The World Wide Web is a superb source for several things including organic vegetable seeds. Purchasing from online companies is easy, as you do not have to step out of the convenience of your home. These stores are up for selling 24×7 and provided some fabulous discounts.

 

Here is a list of some of the organic seed companies you can cheek out:

 

a) Seeds of change

 

b) Snow seed organics (California)

 

c) Johnny’s seed company.

 

However, there are certain considerations you need to make when ordering organic vegetable seeds.

 

a) Always make sure the company is certified organic.

 

b) Look for documentation of supplier.

 

c) Ask for certifications number of the grower.

 

d) Ask for issue date of certification.



Jenny

Penny


i I’m Penny of PennysTomatoes.com and with the economy causing everything from gas to groceries to sky rocket in price; it only makes sense to have your own garden. CNN News mentioned on 5/1/08 what a great value seeds are in tough times.

 

AND growing your own tomatoes is not only easy but VERY inexpensive.  If you buy tomatoes at your local grocery store you will pay up to $3.50 per lb (which is approx 2 tomatoes) out of season, and maybe $.99 Cents in season..   With a pack of tomato seeds costing approx $3.00 (and of course a little TLC) you can get tons of tomatoes.

Let’s do the Math.

My Bodacious Beefsteak Tomatoes can weigh up to 2 pounds. A single seed costs $.20 Cents. That’s $.10 Cents per pound

http://www.pennystomatoes.com

.

NOW IT GETS BETTER.

Take an average sized Tomato like “Penny’s Early Girl”.  You can easily produce 50 Tomatoes from one plant.  They average about 1/4 pound each. That’s 12 pounds of Juicy, Delicious, Tasty Tomatoes loaded with Nutrients.  ALL OF THAT FROM ONE LITTLE SEED.

And the best thing of all?  It cost you less than $.02 Cents per pound.  Now that’s one cool way to beat the rising costs of Groceries.

I usually plant about 10 plants each spring for my own Tomatoe Plants.  I not only get mouth watering vine ripened tomatoes all summer long…   I also have enough to make homemade spaghetti sauce, salsa, etc and put it in freezer bags to eat all winter long.

 

At PennysTomatoes.com you’ll not only find a great assortment of different kinds of tomato seeds but you’ll also find a wealth of information on how to grow them.

 

There is no satisfaction like growing your own mouth watering tomatoes so visit my website and let’s get stared!  

http://www.pennystomatoes.com

 

“You just GOTTA Taste Penny’s Tomatoes”. Tastiest Tomatoes on Planet Earth.

  Penny’s Tomatoes

http://www,Pennystomatoes.com

 



Regina