Archives for October 2008

Please give me an organic pesticide… using a plant such as neem?

I need it for my investigatory project. I need some plants that can be used as organic pesticide or insecticide such as neem but I need to use other plants.
Please dont give me chrysanthemum as an example because it is too expensive here in the Philippines. I know that it contains pyrethrum. Sorry for the one who answer chrysanthemum.

I suggest you give me cheap plants

A chemical like chrysanthemic acid is naturally occurring in chrysanthemums. A few months ago, I went down to the local nursery and they were selling a chrysanthemum relative that supposedly made its own prethrin-type pesticide. Go and check.

Also – nicotine has insecticidal properties against some insects. Grow your own tobacco plant. Be careful, though. Nicotine is also poisonous to people and pets.

Are there any organic fertilizers on the market that perform well for small scale vegetable gardens?

by Tricia

I am interested in nutitional veggies, not perfect looking tastless ones. I used a well know flower and veggie plant food last year (Miracle Grow) makes nice flowers.The fruit did not taste sweet and the skins were thick and tough. I have added more garden soil and composted manure this year but I want something more to boost the crop in quantity and taste. Any suggestions? Or should that be enough? I am looking for a home made organic fertilizer, any tried and true recipes? I am planning on sharing what ever grows with family and neighbors. so I am hoping for a bumper crop. I am growing lots of tomatos,cucumbers, some watermelon,carrots,yellow beans,radishes,chives,parsley..oh yes flowers lots. I wanted more but ran out of garden darn!
I am looking for a market brand organic liquid or powder veggie food. I will try the others in different parts of my garden and experiment. I really want lots to harvest I love fresh plentiful veggies!
I have started composting my veggie peels,leaves, fruit,grass clippings,egg shells,coffee grinds,tea leaves,but for now I need something else.

YES !!! Go to Gardens Alive .com
They have tons of different types , all organic.I 've been using their
products for years , and they are great ! Their " tomatoes alive ! "
fertilizer for tomatoes is GREAT ! Some of my tomatoes this year
are over 6 feet tall already, and loaded with " Maters " ….
( they sometimes send you coupons for $25.00 tot ry their stuff. These are like a gift certificate ; if you send less than $25.00, your suff is free.. a great deal ! ) Enjoy !

How is good rich soil made?

by Tricia

My neighbor bought a chipper. He's gathering pine and cedar needles, chipping up elderberry branches and other yard debris and wants to know the best way to compost and make good rich soil for growing organic vegetables and flowers.

He's well on his way to making garden gold. Now he'll want to add some green to all that brown, and pile it up. Here's the formula.

50% Brown Material (the chipper stuff)-Carbon
25% Green Material (fresh grass clips, green leaves, weeds without seeds, fruit
and vegetable peels, coffee grounds)-Nitrogen
25% Soil or compost. This will introduce micro-organisms to the pile and speed the decay
process.
Water. Keep the pile as moist as a wrung out sponge.

Never add meat or fish scraps, dairy products, or cooked food.

Building Your Compost Pile
Layer the brown (carbon), green (nitrogen) and soil. Add water to dampen as your build your pile. Continue your layers of brown, green and soil like layers of a lasagna. Build your pile until it is 3-4’ high.

The more time you put into your bin, the faster the results will be. You may want to turn your compost pile once a week to speed the decay process, but you don’t have to.

Composting does not smell if it is done properly. If your pile is creating odors, add more carbon material.

Now, maybe he'll share with you, if you share this info with him!!

Happy Gardening!

directions on how to grow organic vegetables?

by Tricia

need to know how to grow and organic garden to grow vegetables and fruit.

You are asking a huge question. There are big books written about this subject. Since you ask a broad question I will answer it broadly.

Growing plants organically is a lot more than avoiding chemicals. It really is about healthy soil.

http://www.rodaleinst.org is one of the most complete sites devoted to organic growing

But start with the soil. Fertilize with compost, green manures, natural mulches. Start a compost pile ASAP

Have a crop rotation plan (this is important for even the smallest gardens)

Find certified organic seed to plant

Control insects through a variety of methods including crop rotation, exclusion, hand picking, beneficial insects, selective spraying (most organic pesticides, and yes they do indeed exists, are broad spectrum so you want to use them sparingly so you do not kill off the beneficial and neutral bugs that make up 97% of the bug population), trap cropping etc..

Hoeing and mowing to control weeds

Should I add earthworms to my garden beds?

by Tricia

Can adding earthworms to my flower garden & to my vegetable garden help in the overall growth of my plants?

I was basically going to buy nightcrawlers from a bait & tackle shop. But which types of worms should I use?

Lastly, I plan on using compost & a compost bin in my garden this year. What other natural/organic tips can I use for my garden?

Buying worms from a bait shop might be a little expensive. There are a number of sources on line such as Acme Worm Farm- http://www.acmewormfarm.com/nightcrawlers.html.

For information on organic gardening and compost, take a look at our web site's page on Organic Gardening-

http://www.gardening-at-the-crossroads.com/organic-gardening.html

Archives for October 2008

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