Organic Gardening Tips

How to garden organically


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I need a good organic insecticide?

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Question: “I have lettuce, mesculin, spinach, green beans, snap peas, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, and eggplant that are all developing holes. My tomatoes and peppers seem to be ok, so I’m not sure it’s aphids.”

“I also tried lady bugs, but they haven’t stuck around so I really don’t think it’s aphids.
I saw little bugs on one lettuce plant, but not on the others. Could holes come from over watering? Or is there a really good insecticide I could use. I’m going to be eating this stuff so I don’t want a horrible chemical.
Any ideas? Thx.”

Some ideas –

You can make a home made spray w/cayenne pepper, a drop of dish soap and a teaspoon of cooking oil.

Use a couple of tbsp. of Cayenne powder and add to a cup of boiling water. Remove from heat and strain it through cheesecloth or a coffee filter. Add the ingredients to the bottle and fill up with water. You’ll need to reapply this fairly often because, even w/the oil it will wash off in the rain.

There are commercial applications available at most gardening shops. Probably the least toxic is Safer’s Insecticidal Soap.







What is the most effective, non chemical way of controlling insects in a flower and vegetable garden?

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Question:

“This is my first attempt at gardening, and even with daily watering and a compost application, some flowers are dying and others just aren’t growing well. Insects are the next logical thing I can think of as to what may be causing a problem (I’m learning as I go), and I only prefer to use natural, organic insect deterrent. Other gardens in my area (New England) are doing very well. Thank you so much for any advice!”

Suggestions:

One thing that I have found that works quite well, is to plant garlic.

Divide the garlic into cloves and just insert into the ground. the garlic will grow, and give off a scent that only the little critters detest, and this will stop them from chewing your plants.

Another way, is to crush garlic and let it seep in water for two days. strain it and put it in a sprayer, and spray your plants with this every 3-4 days, and after every rainfall. believe me, no critters will bother with your plants, and it will be a deterrent, the organic and safe way..

Happy organic gardening!

Organic practices increase home value?

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Question: “Will creating an organic garden or using eco-friendly paints on my home help with it’s value?

I want to do some improvements but keep along the idea of things better for the environment. Are there woods that aren’t chemically treated for floors or building a deck?”

It will appeal to a subset of people. That’s about all you can say. I would appreciate it, but know some who wouldn’t.

I know of no wood for making decks with that don’t require either preservative or paint to protect it. Even redwood needs oil to prolong it, plus they are such beautiful trees.

Your best bet is to go into some hardware and lumber stores and talk to the representatives there about what you want to do and get their advice about which woods would work best.

Whats the difference between regular and organic fruits and vegetables?

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Question: “How do you grow organic fruits and vegetables!? that’s weird”

Organic means that they are grown with no preservatives in them, grown with no chemicals and so forth.

To grow Organic Vegs and Fruits don’t Put any chemicals on them. Most things you grow yourself are organic and Better for you.

And if you every notice things that you buy from the store often last longer than the ones you picked yourself from the garden. That is because The store (Non Organic) sprays the vegs. and Fruits with a preservative to make them last longer

Is organic growing better for the enviroment than conventional.?

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Question: “Me and my friends were having a big argument and we want to start bringing organic food into our house. So which is better? Please give good reasons. I will respond as soon as possible. Thanks!”

Answer:

I am simply going to copy and paste an article I read sometime ago.

Ten Good Reasons to Buy Organic

1. Organic products meet stringent standards.

Organic certification is the public’s assurance that products have been grown and handled according to strict procedures without persistent toxic chemical inputs. When you see that a product has been Certified Organic by QAI (Quality Assurance International), you can rest assured that the product, its ingredients and the manufacturer have gone through a thorough investigation.

2. Organic food tastes great!

It’s common sense — well balanced soils grow strong healthy plants that taste great. Try an organic orange or vine-ripened tomato for a sweet and juicy flavor treat.

In a study done by Washington State University in Pullman, published in the April 19, 2001 issue of the journal of Nature, researchers measured the effects of an organic, a conventional and an integrated apple production system on the sustainability indicators of horticultural performance, soil quality, orchard profitability, environmental quality and energy efficiency. Taste was measured three ways. Mechanical analysis on fruit firmness at harvest and after six months storage was higher for organic than its two competitors. The ratio of sugar content to acidity, an indication of sweetness, was higher among organic apples as well. These results were then confirmed by consumer taste tests. To find out more you can go to http://www.nature.com, the title of the article is called The Sustainability of Three Apple Production Systems. (Natural Foods Merchandiser, June 2001)

3. Organic production reduces health risks.

Many EPA-approved pesticides were registered long before extensive research linked these chemicals to cancer and other diseases. Now, the EPA considers 60% of all herbicides (weed killers), 90% of all fungicides (mold killers), and 30% of all insecticides (insect killers) as potentially cancer causing. Organic farming keeps harmful chemicals and pesticides out of the food we eat and beverages we drink. It also prohibits the use of antibiotics in animal feed, which are routinely used in conventional farming and is known to create dangerous antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Organic farms also benefit the farm workers who have high exposure to chemicals and synthetic pesticides.

4. Organic farms respect our water sources.

The elimination of polluting chemicals and nitrogen leaching, done in combination with soil building, protects and conserves water resources. Organic farming reduces toxic farming runoff and pollutants that contaminate our water, soil and air.

5. Organic farmers build soil.

Soil is the foundation of the food chain and the primary focus of organic farming. We’re facing the worst topsoil erosion in history due to our current agricultural practice of chemical intensive, mono-crop farming.

6. Organic farmers work in harmony with nature.

Organic agriculture respects the balance demanded of a healthy ecosystem: wildlife is an essential part of a total farm and is encouraged by including forage crops in rotation and by retaining fence rows, wetlands, and other natural areas.

7. Organic producers are leaders in innovative research.

Organic farmers have led the way, largely at their own expense, with innovative on-farm research aimed at reducing pesticide use and minimizing agriculture’s impact on the environment.

Organic farming is better for the environment, better for business, more energy efficient and makes better tasting fruit than conventional methods and most integrated production systems, according to the research conducted at Washington State University. (Natural Foods Merchandiser, June 2001)

8. Organic producers strive to preserve diversity.

The loss of a large variety of species (biodiversity) is one of our most pressing environmental concerns. The good news is that many organic farmers and gardeners have been collecting and preserving seeds, and growing unusual varieties for decades.

9. Organic farming helps keep rural communities healthy.

The USDA predicts that by the year 2000, half of U.S. farm production will come from 1% of farms. Organic farming may be one of the few survival tactics left for the family farm and the rural community.

10. Organic abundance – Foods and non-foods alike!

Now every food category has an organic alternative. And non-food agricultural products are being grown organically – even cotton, which most experts felt could not be grown organically.

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