Organic Gardening Tips

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Archives for September 2008

Natural pest control for my vegetable plants?

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I was looking for a homemade remedy to keep the bad insects away from my vegetable plants. I noticed some aphids on my tomatoes, and the ladybugs can't seem to eat them fast enough.
I saw something on TV once made with hot peppers blended with other stuff, but I can't remember. I'd like to stay organic and food-safe without having to buy a pesticide (don't want to harm the ladybugs-just repel the "bad guys").

Hmm, I've heard about the pepper recipe, but I have no idea if it works!

A website that I use A LOT is from the University of California, Davis. They have a wonderful website with ideas on how to non or least-toxically get rid of, or better yet, prevent, pests.

http://ipm.ucdavis.edu/

First things first though! Basic Integrated Pest Management (IPM) says that you need to know what you are trying to get rid of first. As far as aphids, the website has a bunch of wonderful ideas. I find that insecticidal soap works very well, which you can make yourself using soap and water (recipe: http://azaz.essortment.com/homemadeinsec_rvhp.htm ). You can also blast them off with the hose.

http://ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7404.html is the specific stuff about aphids and you have many options to choose from. Sometimes, if the aphids aren't doing a lot of damage too, who cares if they eat a bit!

Anywho, good luck!







What is some name brands for best organic topsoil at garden stores?

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Hello everyone, I grow my own wheatgrass and now instead of getting my topsoil from random places, I want to know what is one namebrand of ORGANIC topsoil(peatmoss too) that I can stick with indefinitely-Are the name brands in the green and yellow bag in home depot good? (seems so, but just want to be sure)I would highly appreciate a simple answer to this, thank you

Miracle Gro is not organic as it has wetting agents and synthetic fertilizer in the soil.

At the moment there is no certification for organic top soil, peat moss and other such things. But some soil mixes carry the OMRI seal meaning that the Organic Material Review Institute people have approved it for organic use.

What you want to look for in the ingredients (yes top soil/soiless mix have ingredients) is if there is a wetting agent or fertilizer. An organic soil will either have no wetting agent or it will clearly state the wetting agent is not from petroleum/synthetic sources. If fertilizer is mentioned it is synthetic fertilizer and therefore not organic

Peat moss because it contains only peat moss is always considered organic.

What is a good fertilizer to use on the corn that I'm growing in my organic veggie garden? They look "wimpy".

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I'd like to use an organic fertilizer. I have poor soil. =[

You could always do as Massasoit showed the Pilgrims, use fish. To be practicable for a moment, if as you say you have poor soil the first thing to do is introduce as much organic matter as you can. Do you live near a stable or farm where you can get plenty of manure, does your town collect the leaves every fall and compost them, all of those suggestions would be great for your garden. I would not suggest trying to use store bought peat moss, for one thing it is destroying the environment digging it up and two it oxidises and disappears too quickly. Good old farmyard manure is the best. Good luck and green fingers.

I see below that someone has suggested adding hay or straw to your garden, that's a strictly no-no.In the decomposition of the hay or straw it will delete the nitrogen from you soil. It needs nitrogen to break it down, that's why the farm manure must be well rotted and the leaves of course.

Does anyone have an organic garden?

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I want an organic garden. I am just starting out. Does anyone have any tips – what to read, certain veggies, fruit and herbs to grow and why, where to purchase the seeds or the plant, ect…..?

I can recommend a great soil amendment for organic gardening! It is called Pozzolan and it is an all natural volcanic diatomaceous soil amendment that will absorb and store water and nutrients at the root zone. Using Pozzolan will reduce the amount of water needed to keep your plants healthy. It will also create the perfect growing medium for the plants root system. Pozzolan is extremely porous and will improve the percolation rate in clay or sand based soils. It will also helps to break up or loosen the soil so that the root zone has a good mixture of air, soil and water.

It only requires one application, it will not leave the soil.

It is not available everywhere (yet) so you will need to ask at your local green house or nurserty if they carry it. Or check out one of the websites below, they may be able to help you find it.

Good luck and happy gardening!

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