Top Tips For A Thriving Organic Garden

Top Tips For A Thriving Organic Garden

Application of correct organic gardening tips and products will shine through in the quality of your garden. It will show how much you care about the plants you grow, and your desire to ensure they are as healthy as possible. This is an admirable goal! As with all skills, you can continuously improve your gardening through experience and further study. Below are a collection of organic gardening tips that will help you to develop your talent. One way to encourage an organic garden to be sustainable and healthy is to put aside a section to stay undeveloped, thus encouraging wildlife to approach it. You will then find that the wildlife that can help you create a garden that can flourish become present; from birds to insects, they'll be around your garden and help your produce grow better. Allow your children to actively participate in planting your organic garden. You can provide a good learning experience that your children can appreciate the more they learn on how to grow healthy produce. Indoor plants need an environment that is between 65 and 75 degrees. The temperature needs to remain steady and warm so the plants can grow. If you are not willing to keep your house that warm during winter, you could always get the organic plants a heat lamp. The ideal temperature to set your thermostat for indoor plants is between 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit during the daylight hours. This is the optimum temperature to ensure strong growth. If your thermostat is normally kept lower in winter, you can use a heat lamp to keep your plants warm enough. Try to avoid letting your organic garden chores build up. Even doing just a few small things each day can keep chores from piling up and eventually becoming unmanageable. This will save you a lot of time in the long run. For example, while your canine is outside going to the toilet, take the time to pull out a few weeds. When your seeds sprout, they will not be in need of the warmth they needed to germinate. It's important to move the plants away from any heat source as they grow larger. Take off any plastic that is on the containers to keep away from warmth and moisture. Check on your seeds periodically to make sure you know when to remove the films. In your compost, use green and dried plants in equal parts. "Green" material refers to things like wilted flowers, weeds, leaves from your yard, and grass clippings. Your dried material can be things such as sawdust, paper shreds, wood shavings, straw and cardboard. Never use ashes, meat, charcoal, diseased plants or carnivorous animal manure in your compost pile.

Kill Weeds

It is a great idea to help your garden by ruffling seedlings, either with cardboard or with your own hands, a couple of times each day. This will make your plants grow faster and they will get bigger than they would have without this practice. Is there a natural way to kill weeds? Pile newspapers on top of each other to kill weeds. It is a fact that weeds cannot thrive without light from the sun. When you put newspaper on top of weeds they will suffocate because they are not getting enough light. Old newspapers are a valuable addition to your compost heap. If you want it to look better, just add a layer or two of much over top of the newspapers. Organic gardening is more difficult than gardening with chemicals, but you will reap a greater reward. Though the use of chemicals has its own benefits, organic farming is a rewarding experience that ends with natural, healthy produce. Try lightly ruffling the seedlings with your hands about twice a day. This sounds like total nonsense, but there is research suggesting that it does promote plant growth relative to unpetted plants. One way to help maintain healthy soil is to incorporate mulch into your landscape. The mulch acts as a protection for the soil under it. On hot days, mulch will also protect your plant's roots by keeping them moist and cool. It also keeps soil moist longer by preventing water evaporation. It will also serve as a method of controlling unwanted weeds. Create raised beds with stone, brick or untreated wood. If using wood, make sure it's naturally rot resistant and untreated. Optimal wood choices that fit these criteria are locust, cypress, and cedar. Never use compost from treated woods in a veggie garden; the chemicals can contaminate your food. If you must use treated wood, create a barrier, such as with plastic sheet. Over-watering plants is counterproductive, as too much water reduces plants' ability to absorb nutrients from the surrounding soil. Check the weather forecast before you water any of your outdoor plants to see if rain is expected that day. When showers are on the way, you can save yourself the chore of watering. Throughout the year and in different climates, it may be necessary to vary your watering schedule. You should consider water quality and soil type when watering your plants. Try to water your plants at the same time every day, as time of day also affects how much water they need. As an example, leaves should not be watered in humid, warm climates else leaf fungus could occur. You have to make sure to water the root system. One of the biggest benefits from eating food that is organically grown is the absence of pesticides. While this is great, you still need to check your produce for any bugs or other pests. Adding a lot of mulch to your garden is a great tip to implement in order to keep your garden healthy. A couple of inches of mulch will protect what lies beneath it. It helps keep your soil cooler on warmer days, which protects the roots underneath. It helps the soil retain moisture longer by reducing the evaporation rate. This will also help to keep weeds under control. Look up local botanical insecticides; they can be very useful in keeping the pest population at bay. These are frequently more effective than their chemically engineered counterparts. However, due to their biological makeup, botanical insecticides often have very fast decay periods and disappear rapidly. A great thing about organic foods produced by organic gardens is their lack of pesticides. Even though you are providing a much healthier option for your family, it is important to recognize the increased need for insect inspection. Plant twice- three weeks after planting tomatoes in the organic garden, plant more seeds. This can give you a steady supply to tomatoes and reduce an overabundance at any given time. Furthermore, this method protects you in the event that your first batch doesn't thrive as expected.

Organic Gardening

You can easily make a new garden for your perennials in just a few steps. Dig into the existing turf with a shovel or spade, flip it, and then layer the entire area with wood mulch. Once a couple of weeks have passed, you can then dig into the new garden bed and plant some of your favorite perennials. Any form of gardening helps you get in tune with the environment, but organic gardening takes this concept to the next level. Organic gardening allows you learn the entire plant cycle, from the beginning to the end. If organic gardening is something you desire to do, it's critical that you are aware of the proper method to make beds. One way to achieve this is to use a garden tool to carve out a small slice of earth. The slice should be flipped over on to the hole and covered with wood chips. Let it set a few weeks and then cut in it, then you plant. You may be able to find botanical insecticides locally, which are often very helpful for preventing pest infestations. These natural insecticides can often be more effective than synthetically engineered pesticides. Keep in mind, however, that these insecticides have very short half lives. Since they are made out of all natural ingredients, they may decay and disappear soon after you use them. Make your organic garden easier to maintain. Plan out the landscaping with mainly native bushes, flowers, and grasses. Plants that are naturally suited to your environmental parameters are unlikely to require the degree of fertilization and chemical pest protection that would have to be expended on other plants. In fact, native species typically grow best when fertilized with organically produced compost. When mulching your flowerbed or garden, most people recommend adding about three inches of mulch. This affects your garden in a variety of ways, including enriching the soil, locking in moisture, and improving the overall appearance of the garden. Weeds are a recurring issue in both organic and traditional gardens. This is an organic weed killer that is safer for you and for the environment. Buy a soaker hose if you plan to plant an organic garden. The water slowly seeps from these hoses and is positioned so the roots get the water, and the leaves remain dry. They don't waste water like sprinklers and get the job done much faster than hand-watering does. While you may already understand the importance of compost to organic gardening, are you aware of its true components? Compost is made up of things like old produce scraps, leaves, twigs, grass clippings and wood-chips that have broken down into something similar to soil in texture. Compost is an effective alternative to commercial fertilizer. You already have the products, the tools and the skills to get those organic gardens going. If you do not, you are on the right path to obtaining them. Learning is a constant process, so use the insights gained here to enhance your skills in organic gardening. Hopefully you have found at least one new strategy to utilize in your organic garden. Remember to buy plants for your organic garden in an intelligent manner. This is true especially when you purchase perennials or annuals. Only buy plants that are in bud, not bloom. That way, the plants will have the ability to build sturdy roots within your garden.

Read more »

Advice On How To Properly Grow An Organic Garden

Advice On How To Properly Grow An Organic Garden

When you use the correct organic gardening products, techniques, and equipment, it shows. People will be able to tell that you love your plants and want them to be healthy. This is a valuable attitude. As any other skill, your organic gardening skills will only grow with time and experience. The advice in this article will help in your quest for the perfect organic garden. Let your children be involved in your organic gardening efforts. They will enjoy learning about nature and bonding with you. Planting organic strawberries is a great way to encourage your children to get involved. Little ones will be more likely to help when they can enjoy the fun of harvesting their own fruit. Young children will love it if you plant strawberries that bear continually, and organic gardens are the perfect place to do it. Children will be more willing to help you if they can pluck their own fruit from the garden. Aspirin water will strengthen your plants against diseases. Dissolve 1 aspirin per gallon of water for a plant disease fighting solution. Then spray your plants with this mixture to stave off diseases. Spray them once about every three weeks. If you like the concept of organic gardening, then why not take it one step further by leaving some of your land undeveloped for the area's wildlife? This can be a good area for the types of insects that pollinate plants. It can also be a sanctuary for birds, which will help some plants thrive. This can greatly improve the production of your organic garden. If you are planning to grow plants within the house, the temperature should be maintained between 65 and 75 degrees within the daylight hours. Young plants need a temperature within that specific range to grow. If you don't like keeping your home that temperature in the winter, you may wish to consider getting a heat lamp, instead, to keep your organic plants the correct temperature. It is simple to prepare your garden for perennial flowers. Take your spade and work up a thin layer of soil. Turn that soil over, then spread a few inches of wood chips on the newly turned area. Let the area sit for a fortnight, then turn the earth and set up your new perennial bed. Organic indoor plants may need additional light sources to make up for the light they miss out on by being indoors. This needs to be considered. If your house or apartment doesn't get a lot of natural light, one option is to grow something that only requires medium or low light. If your plants still need more light, there are always artificial light sources that you can use. Have all of your tools available to you as you garden to increase efficiency. You could do this by using a big bucket, or just wear old pants that have some deep pockets. Have gloves, shears, a trowel and anything else you need handy for quick use. It is simple to prepare your garden for perennial flowers. Use a spade to dig up some soil, flip the soil over, and finally, sprinkle around 3-4 inches of wood chips on the soil. Let the area sit for a couple weeks, then begin digging into it and planting your new perennials. Pine is a surprisingly good source of mulch. Some garden plants are high in acidity, and do better with acidic soil. For these types of plants, pine needles are wonderful for mulching. Cover your beds with the needles, as they will decompose and disperse their acid throughout the soil. Regularity is the key to keeping your organic garden in order, don't let your list of chores pile up. No matter what your schedule is like, you should be able to fit in small things that will help you avoid having an overwhelming amount of work all at once. If you put the dog outside, weed a few spots in the garden while your dog goes to the bathroom. Put coffee ground into your soil. Coffee grounds add many nitrogenous nutrients to the soil that will benefit your plants. Nitrogen, along with phosphorous and potassium, is an important nutrient in the garden. It contributes to healthy and strong growth of the plant, but don't overuse it. Want to get rid of weeds naturally? Pile newspapers on top of each other to kill weeds. Weeds can only grow when there is adequate sunlight. When you put newspaper over them, they suffocate from lack of sunlight. As an added benefit, the newspapers will decompose over time, becoming organic compost. Covering the newspaper with mulch will help your garden to be more pleasing to the eye. Space is very important when you plant an organic garden. It can be easy to underestimate how much space your plants will need once they begin growing. Air circulation and room to grow is important for any plant. If necessary, use a ruler to measure the distance between each plant. Adding mulch to your garden can make your soil healthier. The right amount of mulch in a garden also works to protect the soil underneath. It will keep the soil cool in the summer, which protects the roots. It greatly reduces water loss, keeping the soil moist with fewer waterings. It also doubles as weed control. Is there a natural way to kill weeds? You can place newspaper in several layers, and it will help control your weeds. Weeds need sunlight to grow. If the weeds have already sprouted, you can place the newspapers over them and they will die due to lack of sunlight. The newspapers will break down over a period of time, and will become part of your compost. One way to enhance the appearance of your garden if you are using newspapers is to add an additional layer of mulch. Over-watering your plants can be harmful, because roots that are drowning in water cannot effectively pull nutrients out of the soil. Before heading out to water your plants, check the weather to see if rain is included in the immediate forecast. If rain is in the forecast, it is best not to water that day. It is a great idea to help your garden by ruffling seedlings, either with cardboard or with your own hands, a couple of times each day. That may sound like a silly thing to do, but it's been proven to help plants grow larger than they would otherwise. A great thing about organic foods produced by organic gardens is their lack of pesticides. This is healthier than other alternatives, but you need to still check for diseases and bugs regularly. One of the best parts about using foods that are organic or from organic gardens is that they do not have any type of pesticides used on them. However, although this is a much healthier alternative, it is important to check surfaces of organic fruits and vegetables thoroughly to be sure that no unwanted pests are living in or on them. Try using botanical insecticides to help rid your garden of pests, without using chemicals. All insecticides are strong, including botanical ones. Natural insecticide are more environmentally friendly, in part, because they decay quickly and become harmless. Annually rotate your garden layout or plan. Fungus and diseases will appear if you have the same kind of plants in the same place from one year to the next. Plants of the same type will be vulnerable the next season. When you rotate your crops, fungus and disease have less chance to spread. If you are interested in using organic gardening techniques to plant perennials, you will be pleased to know that it is very easy. Use a spade to cut the turf and flip it over. Cover the prepared area with a layer of wood chips. In about 2 weeks, you will be able to plant flowers in your new bed. Research botanical insecticides that can be purchased locally to aid in ridding your garden of pests. Sometimes natural insecticides are more efficient than the synthetic pesticides you can buy. Keep in mind, however, that the biological composition of botanical insecticides can cause them to quickly decay and disappear. While gardening, be careful of what products you use. Instead of using chemical fertilizers, try organic and natural fertilizers. If you haven't already tried it, consider making your own compost. If you use inorganic products, your soil and drinking water could be contaminated with chemicals. Increase the biodiversity in your organic garden. The more plants you have, the more wildlife that will come. Try to keep nature in balance by planting a variety of species in the garden. If you can manage this, the garden will be the perfect place to relax, and you'll have done a little something for the environment. You have what you need and the skills to use these tips when gardening. Great! The tips here should help you with your organic gardening. Don't stop here, though, you should continue learning. Hopefully, this article has provided you with a new technique that you can utilize in your organic garden. When you garden, be aware of what you can use. Instead of chemical fertilizers, use natural alternatives. Compost works great for this. Inorganic materials, such as those found in commercial fertilizers, are responsible for toxic chemical buildup in both soil and drinking water. This can be avoided by using eco-friendly organic methods.

Read more »

What You Need To Know About Organic Gardening

What You Need To Know About Organic Gardening

One of the tenets of organic gardening is to focus on the garden and to tend it well. Maintain your garden smartly by using efficient methods. Educating yourself on this topic will help you create a garden that offers healthy and tasty produce. Read on to learn the basics of managing your organic garden. Include your kids in growing an organic garden. The benefits for your children will be a closer bond with nature and an understanding of where food comes from. Be sure to plant some strawberries for your children and grandchildren. Ever-bearing ones are especially nice. Kids really enjoy plucking snacks directly from the ground, and may have greater enthusiasm for the work if they see the results of their labor right away. If you have children, plant strawberries, especially everbearing strawberries, in your organic garden. You will find that they enjoy participating in gardening if they are allowed to pluck the fresh berries and eat them straight from the earth. If you have a high priority for sustainability in your organic gardening, try leaving a corner of the property undeveloped as a mini wildlife refuge. Doing this will allow creatures that help plants to produce and pollinate to continue their actions, which will have a positive effect on the garden you develop. Sprouting seeds need less warmth than before. As your plants grow, you will want to put a little distance between them and heat. Make sure you remember to remove any plastic films that were on the plant containers to repel humidity and warmth. Check on your seeds periodically to make sure you know when to remove the films. Perennial gardens should be prepared easily and quickly in the ground. Take your spade and work up a thin layer of soil. Turn that soil over, then spread a few inches of wood chips on the newly turned area. Wait for a few weeks and plant new perennials in this area. When mulching your flower beds, aim for anywhere between two or three inches of mulch. Covering the beds with mulch serves multiple purposes; it helps the flowers by retaining moisture and adding nutrients, and it discourages the growth of unwanted plants. A layer of mulch also creates a more attractive appearance. Plastic bags are great to cover gardening shoes when they get muddy. This helps the flow keep going so that you can get into the garden quickly to finish what you're doing. Try to keep plastic bags on hand to cover shoes that are muddy. This allows you to maintain your flow so you can rapidly get back to your gardening.

Laundry Basket

When composting lawn clippings, leaves, and other materials, it is best to add the same amount of green, freshly-cut material as you do dried material. Examples of green plant material are spent flowers, fruit and vegetable waste, grass clippings, weeds, and leaves. Dry materials, like sawdust, cut up wood pieces, cardboard, straw and shredded paper are good for your compost pile. Certain substances will undermine your composting efforts and cancel out any benefits; these include meat, charcoal, ash or plants that have diseases or fungal growths. You may find an old plastic laundry basket ideal for gathering vegetables from your garden. It makes a great strainer for your vegetables. You can rinse your produce off while it is in the basket, and the excess water will strain through the holes of your laundry basket. When planting seeds you should cover them with fine soil. Determine its depth by looking at the seed's size and multiplying it by three. However, you should be aware that certain seeds should not be covered at all because they are required to be in the sunlight. Some typical examples are petunias and ageratum. If you aren't sure, look online or at the package. Use alcohol to help control the slugs in your garden by fashioning a beer trap. Take a glass jar and bury it in your garden, making sure that the lip of the jar is even with the soil. Fill it with beer to about one inch below the top of the jar. Slugs are attracted by the beer and won't be able to exit the jar once they enter. For the best results when growing an organic garden, you should shake your seeds up a little bit. After planted, make sure you agitate the seeds at least twice daily, using your fingers or even a Popsicle stick. While this appears strange, research shows it can help plants grow larger, versus not petting them at all. In order to construct your raised beds, make use of untreated brick, stone, wood and other materials. If you choose to use wood, see to it that it's untreated and that it can resist rotting. Cypress, locust and cedar are all great examples of what woods to use when building a raised bed. Treated wood has chemicals that can be harmful to a vegetable garden. If the ground cover you've used already contained treated lumber, line it with a barrier of some form. Use untreated stone, brick or wood to build raised beds. Be sure that any wood you use isn't chemically treated, and will be able to resist rot naturally. Examples of good woods include cedar, cypress, and locust. In a vegetable garden, never use treated wood, as the chemicals can leach out into the soil and food crops. If the ground cover you've used already contained treated lumber, line it with a barrier of some form. Organic gardening is more difficult than gardening with chemicals, but you will reap a greater reward. Though the use of chemicals has its own benefits, organic farming is a rewarding experience that ends with natural, healthy produce. Your watering schedule should flow perfectly with the seasons, yet be adjustable according to climate. You will need to water differently depending on what time it is or what kind of soil you are using. Avoid watering leaves in a warm and humid climate to prevent leaf fungus from appearing. Instead, water the root system well. Add mulch to keep your soil healthy. The soil can be greatly enhanced by adding a good layer of mulch to it. On hot days, mulch insulates the ground, keeping it cool and protecting your plants' roots. It also keeps soil moist longer by preventing water evaporation. Mulch is also excellent for keeping weeds at bay. The lack of pesticides in organic gardens is a major benefit. While organic foods are healthy for your family, you will still need to check closely for bugs or worms. Look up local botanical insecticides; they can be very useful in keeping the pest population at bay. Sometimes the natural insecticides can be even more powerful than the engineered synthetic pesticides on the market. However, botanical insecticides may not last as long because of their biological makeups, which makes them disappear more quickly. Annually rotate your garden. When similar plants are planted in pretty much the same spot every single year, this can cause fungal and disease growth. Plants of the same type will be vulnerable the next season. By mixing things up and planting in various spots, you will be able to keep disease and fungus at bay. The best option available to water an organic garden are soaker hoses. This type of hose allows the gardener to get a small, but steady amount of water near the roots without getting the leaves wet constantly. This is less tedious than watering by hand, and they consume less water than using sprinklers. To make sure you have strong seedlings, look deeply. Make sure that the root system is healthy when you buy tomato seedlings and that the starts are healthy looking as well. These kind of starts stay on these seedlings for weeks at a time; this doesn't allow the seedling to grow unless the starts are gone. Make sure your garden has biodiversity. The more types of plants you have, the more kinds of wildlife you'll have. Plant things that are well-suited for the environment you live in. By doing this, you will turn your garden into a pleasurable and relaxing retreat, and will also have the benefit of helping the environment. If you're trying to decide how to water the plants in your organic garden, consider a soaker hose. As the water slowly seeps out of the hose, it is directed right to the plant roots so the leaves do not get wet. These use much less water than the sprinklers and are less time-consuming than hand-watering your plants.

Native Plants

Turn your organic garden into a shade garden. These kinds of gardens are usually low in maintenance, which a lot of individuals like to hear. They require less watering too, so they save a lot of time and work. This will also lead to slower growth, but at least there will be fewer weeds to eradicate. This is a very easy organic gardening tip! Plan to use mainly native flowers, grasses and bushes when creating an organic garden. If you opt for native plants that work well with your climate and soil, you will be less likely to need expensive fertilizers and pesticides. Native plants will also reap the benefits of compost made from native materials such as grass clippings and leaves. When it comes to an organic garden, the types of plants able to grow naturally are virtually endless. Many acid-loving plants love mulch. These plants must be mulched with thick layers of pine needles every year in the fall. The needles will decompose and transfer their acidity to the soil. If you are planning to plant trees or shrubs in your yard, you should pay close attention to the hole that you have dug. If the shovel "glazes" any sides of the hole, leaving a smooth and compact surface, the roots may have trouble breaking through the soil in that area. For flowers and trees, use three inches of organic material as mulch. By using mulch, you will be able to save money on your water bill and help your plants grow. You'll discover it could also look really good. There are all kinds of plants that can grow in your organic garden. If you choose plants that require acid to grow properly, use mulch. These kinds of plants require a mulch consisting of a lot of pine needles during the fall each year. When the pine needles are decomposing, they release natural acid onto the ground beneath them. One of the best things about composting is that the ingredients for success are simple and affordable, such as fruit peels. These can create an excellent organic, natural compost for the beds, which will provide you with healthy and naturally beautiful plants at almost no cost. Even organic gardens can have trouble with weeds. This organic weed killer is safe for both you and the environment. Compost at home for an excellent natural fertilizer. One entertaining method of doing this is to start a worm composting bin. Layer your compost bin with shredded newspaper, a little garden soil, kitchen scraps, and red wiggler worms. Don't add meat scraps, as they can attract rats. Compost is incredibly useful in organic gardening, but what is it made of? Most compost is made of clippings of leaves, grass, small twigs, straw and other biodegradable matter. This matter is allowed to ferment into a nutrient rich soil. Once this mixture has composted, through a heat-producing decay process, apply it to your garden as a fertilizer superior to the commercial ones. If you want to continue your organic gardening throughout the winter, you can create a tent with materials laying around your home. You can use things like old bean poles, which can be stuck into your bed ends. Place a sheet over the poles and keep them down with bricks or rocks. This is an inexpensive way to cover your growing crops during the cold winter months. The tips above have shown you that there is a noticeable difference in the quality of produce produced by organic gardening. It does take work and patience, but all is worth it come mealtimes that include your organic, homegrown produce. A good method to save water when it comes to your garden at home is by using mulch. Using mulch will allow the soil to retain humidity more efficiently, and your garden will not have to be watered as frequently. Mulch can be purchased locally from a garden center, created from compost or gathered from wood chippers. It's important to use a good amount of it, no matter the type.

Read more »

Solid Advice When It Comes To Organic Gardening

Solid Advice When It Comes To Organic Gardening

Gardening is a relaxing and fun hobby for many people around the world, but doing it organically is even more rewarding. That said, beginners often find it hard to get comfortable with the rhythms of organic gardening. What is important to know about gardening for a beginner? Keep reading to discover some useful tips and tactics. A mixture of aspirin and water can help your ailing plants. An aspirin and a half, combined with a couple of gallons of water, will do amazing things for your plants. You can easily spray the plans with this concoction to help them fight of disease. Try to apply the mixture to the plants at least once in each three week period. A great way to ensure that your organic garden will do well is to keep a section of your land unspoiled. The natural wildlife will spring up and make for a perfect organic habitat. The presence of native flowers, trees and grasses will attract birds and insects. You will be rewarded by an appealing and flourishing landscape. You will garden more efficiently if you keep your tools close by. Wear pants with multiple pockets or use a toolbox or large bucket. Keep common tools such as your gloves or your pruning shears within reach so that you can quickly and easily maintain your garden whenever you need to. Make sure you work in your garden every day. Don't waste your time looking for missing tools. Before you start work in the garden, make sure you have the necessary tools, and always remember to put them away when you are finished. It may be necessary to don a tool belt or cargo pants with extra pockets. Use about two to three inches of organic material as mulch in all of your flower beds. Using this much mulch retards weed growth, locks in moisture, and ensures that your plants are well-nourished. It will also increase the visual appeal of the flower beds. You can cover your muddied gardening footware easily by keeping plastic bags around. This way, you won't break momentum by fussing with your shoes, and you'll be quickly back in the garden to finish your work. Try to keep plastic bags on hand to cover shoes that are muddy. You'll be able to keep your momentum going without needing to take off your shoes, and stay on track with your gardening project. Pine can be a wonderful mulch. Some plants like acidic soil because they have high acidity. If your garden contains plants like this, there are few things simpler than spreading some pine needles across your beds. Cover your beds with two inches of needles; acid will be dispersed into the soil as they decompose. Paying attention to spacing is important. Many people underestimate the space needed for plants to grow to their full size. Air circulation and room to grow is important for any plant. Make sure that you map out your garden layout beforehand and place your seeds with an adequate amount of space in between each.

Coffee Grounds

Is there a natural way to kill weeds? Layer sheets of newspaper on the surface of areas where you are trying to control weeds. Without exposure to the sun, weeds cannot thrive. The layers of newspaper over the weeds will block out the light and kill them. You can use newspapers because of how nicely they break down, they can be added into compost. Put mulch over top to increase the attractiveness of the pile. It is common knowledge that grounds from brewed coffee are good for soil. Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, an essential nutrient for plant growth. It is best for your plants to use coffee grounds that are part of a blend of ingredients in the compost or soil you are using for your plants, rather than directly adding coffee grounds to your garden plants. It is a great idea to help your garden by ruffling seedlings, either with cardboard or with your own hands, a couple of times each day. You may think it odd, but studies show that this action results in plant growth that is more substantial than would otherwise be achieved. You should always take spacing into account when placing plants in your organic garden. You must think of how much room the plants will take up as they grow, and it easy to underestimate this. The plants need space due to sheer size and also for air circulation. Therefore, ensure that you allow for ample spaces between your seedlings. If you need to prove to customers that your produce is legitimately organic, you can become certified as an organic grower. This will up your sales and prove to your loyal customers that what they have been getting is only the best that you possibly could get. Organize the chores for your organic garden so they do not pile up. While you may not be able to spend a lot of time every day in your garden, even little items done daily will stop the mountain of work from growing. For example, snatch out a weed or two whenever you pass by the garden, such as when you take your dog out for a potty break. Organic gardening may sometimes require more effort than resorting to chemicals, but the payoff in the end is well worth the work. Chemical giants claim miracles, but those miracle crops come at a price to whoever eats the produce. As a good general practice, you should make sure to plant your seeds three seed-widths deep into their containers. There are some seeds, however, that you should not cover at all, since they need sunlight to germinate. Some common examples include ageratum and petunias. If you are unsure about your seed's requirements for sunlight, the resources are often provided along with the seeds, or you can find out online. You should rotate your garden every year. If you keep planting the same thing in a particular area every year, it can cause a buildup of disease in the soil. Fungus and disease may stay in the soil and then affect your plants the next growing season. If you change things and plant your garden in a different area, you will have a way to keep fungus at bay. If slugs are disrupting the balance of your garden, you can diminish their population by using a beer trap. Bury a jar in the garden with it's mouth open and level to the ground. Now, fill the jar with beer to approximately an inch below the lip. The slugs will be attracted to the beer and will end up being trapped within the confines of the jar. You can find a lot of information on how to keep any unwanted pests away by researching local botanical insecticides. Some natural insecticides are stronger and more effective than the chemically engineered synthetic pesticides that are commercially available. Keep in mind, however, that natural pesticides frequently deteriorate more quickly than those with a man-made base.

Treated Wood

If you are interested in using organic gardening techniques to plant perennials, you will be pleased to know that it is very easy. Use a spade to slice beneath the turf and flip it. Next, the area should be buried in a three- to four-inch layer of wood chips. Once a couple of weeks have passed, you can then dig into the new garden bed and plant some of your favorite perennials. Build raised beds with untreated stone, brick or wood. If you use wood, be sure that it is untreated and naturally rot resistant. Some good choices you might consider are locust, cedar, and cypress. If you use treated wood in your vegetable garden, the chemicals in the wood can make their way into the soil, and in turn, to your crops. If you must use treated wood, consider using a liner to keep chemicals out of the soil. You must be sure to mulch your garden or flowerbed with about three inches of materials that are organic. Mulch adds nutrients to your soil, prohibits water evaporation, inhibits weeds and creates a finished look to your flower or gardening beds. A great thing about organic foods produced by organic gardens is their lack of pesticides. While this is great for your loved ones' health, still check for pests and bugs. Open your mind to the diverse environments that can be created in your garden space. A larger variety of plants in your garden will attract more wildlife. Try replicating nature by creating a garden with a variety of different plants. If you are able to achieve this, you will have a garden that is a pleasant place to be around and relax, and also you get great satisfaction from knowing you did your part for the environment. Gardening is a fun hobby that allows you be more earth friendly. Organic gardening allows you learn the entire plant cycle, from the beginning to the end. Think about what types of products you can use on your garden. Instead of using dangerous chemicals, opt for all-natural alternatives. Compost is a great example of what to use. The type of fertilizers used becomes important when you look at soil and drinking water contamination. Inorganic fertilizers often cause chemicals to build up. This doesn't happen with organic fertilizers. You may want to grow garlic organically. The best time to plant garlic is either early spring or in the fall. Plant garlic in moist soil with good drainage. Plant your garlic cloves around 1-2 inches into the ground, making sure the end is pointed up and they are four inches from each other. Green garlic shoots could be cut as it grows, and it can be used to substitute scallions or chives. You can harvest the bulbs as the tops begin to turn brown. After harvesting, leave the bulbs out in the sun until the skin hardens. This helps them dry out. Store the bulbs separately or tied in loose bunches in a cool place. To plant a shrub or tree, make sure the edges of the hole you dig are rough and uneven. If you create holes that have "glazed" sides created by shovels, it's possible that one of those holes will restrict any root from getting into the soil nearby. You should now realize how much fun and how enjoyable gardening can be. Taking care of a garden is a fun and relaxing experience. Follow the advice in this article to avoid the common pitfalls associated with organic gardening. Growing plants that carry a high value are your best bet for the garden. Of course, a particular plant's value will be subjective. If you grow veggie plants that cost a lot at the supermarket, you can save a lot of money. Plant things you love, to enjoy their results.

Read more »

The Skinny On Organic Gardening Like A Pro

The Skinny On Organic Gardening Like A Pro

Organic gardening is a hobby that anybody can do in order to relax. Newcomers to organic gardening, however, can easily find themselves overwhelmed. How then should someone who does not have any experience start getting involved with organic gardening? Keep reading to discover some useful tips and tactics. Young children will love it if you plant strawberries that bear continually, and organic gardens are the perfect place to do it. Children love to snap up these sweet juicy fruits for themselves and will be much more willing to eat other foods you've planted as well. When your plants begin to sprout, they can survive in somewhat cooler temperatures. You should move your sprouted plants farther from the heat when they are past the sprouting stage. Also take any plastic films off of your containers, so you can keep the warmth and humidity out. Watch your seeds carefully to know when you can take these steps. One of the problems that people come up against when trying to grow organic plants indoors is a lack of natural light. If you are living in a place that does not have a lot of natural sunlight, think about cultivating plants that do well in lower lighting situations. If you simply must have a plant that has higher requirements for sunlight, you can use indoor UV lamps. When working in the garden, try to work as efficiently as possible. Wasting time finding tools is inefficient gardening. Prepare all the tools you need before you go out to work on your garden, and put them away nicely when you are done. If you use lots of tools, consider using a tool belt or even just some pants that have lots of pockets. Try to work as efficiently as possible when gardening. Wasting time finding tools is inefficient gardening. Take the time to prepare the necessary tools, and then store them in a easily accessed place once you are done gardening. You can use a tool belt, or you may want to wear pants with extra pockets.

Coffee Grounds

Pine is a mulch that is great. Acidic soil is a favorite of garden plants that are high in acidity. If this is the case, use pine needles to mulch your beds. Spread the needles over the beds in a layer that is approximately 2-inches deep. Over time, the needles will begin to decay, supplying the soil with acid as they do. Coffee grounds are a good addition to your soil. Coffee grounds have a lot of nutrients that plants can use. Nitrogen is a nutrient that will help your plants grow taller and bloom faster, so use those coffee grounds, extra compost, or diluted urea to make this happen. Coffee grounds are a great addition to soil. They contain nitrogenous nutrients which are essential to plant growth. A strong nitrogen source in your garden area is a wonderful way to have healthy and strong plants. Spacing is one of the primary considerations when planning an organic garden. Leave a little more space than you think your full grown plant will need to make up for overgrowth. You will need to provide this space to provide ample room and because you need air circulating to your garden. Plan your garden carefully and leave enough space between the seeds. Stay on top of your organic gardening to-do list, and don't let the work pile up. Even if you are too busy to tend to your gardens needs every day, you can try little things that will prevent you from having a lot of work when you return to your garden. For instance, pluck weeds while you take your dog outside or before getting in your car. In your compost, use green and dried plants in equal parts. Green plant material can include old flowers, fruit waste, grass clippings, vegetable waste, and leaves. For the dry end of the spectrum, think of things like paper and cardboard, sawdust, hay, etc. However, stay away from meats, manure from carnivores, charcoal and other potentially harmful substances. Do you want to kill weeds naturally? Use several layers of newspapers for weed control. Without light, there can be no weeds. When you place layers of newspapers on top of them, the weeds will suffocate from the lack of light. The paper will break down quickly and cleanly, adding to your compost. If you want it to look better, just add a layer or two of much over top of the newspapers.

Direct Sunlight

A rule of thumb for when you are planting seeds in containers is to make the hole depth around three times larger than the seed itself. However, it is important to understand that some seeds require sunlight and should never be covered. Petunia and ageratum seeds need direct sunlight, for example. If you're not sure, a guide either comes with seeds, or you can find this information online. A good way to plant seeds is in containers. Plant them three times as deep as their overall size. However, you should always know that some seeds cannot be covered, even the slightest bit, because they need to be in direct sunlight. Petunia and ageratum seeds need direct sunlight, for example. If you are wondering whether or not the seeds require direct sunlight, you can usually find helpful information online that will answer your question. For the best results when growing an organic garden, you should shake your seeds up a little bit. After planted, make sure you agitate the seeds at least twice daily, using your fingers or even a Popsicle stick. Believe it or not, aerating the soil in this manner can actually make your seedlings grow larger. Create raised beds with stone, brick or untreated wood. Be sure to use wood that is naturally resistant to rotting and that has not been treated. The best varieties include cedar, locust and cypress wood. If you use your garden to grow vegetables, avoid using wood that has been treated with chemicals. These toxic chemicals may seep into the soil, damaging your crops. You may have previously used treated lumber; if so, you should use a plastic liner to cover it. While gardening organically requires more work than gardening with the help of chemicals, the rewards are worth it. Chemicals can be beneficial, but a chemical free organic garden will always produce the best results. Regulate the amount and timing of watering, to the specific climate and its seasonal variations. The watering depth and temperature depends mainly on the time you water them and the soil they are planted in. For instance, if you live in a warm, humid climate watering the leaves can cause leaf fungus. Rather, make sure the root system is watered. Use mulch to enhance the health of your soil. Mulch can help protect your soil. On hot days, mulch will also protect your plant's roots by keeping them moist and cool. This will ensure your soil stays moist by reducing the time in which it evaporates. It also keeps the weeds under control. Now you can see how organic gardening is so enjoyable. You will eat better and have a fun and relaxing hobby that lets you enjoy the great outdoors. With the proper application of these suggestions, you will be achieving amazing results in your own organic garden in no time at all! If you over-water your plants, they can't get all the nutrients they need from the dirt. Before heading out to water your plants, check the weather to see if rain is included in the immediate forecast. Make your decision about watering dependent on the weather.

Read more »

Tips For Growing A Successful Organic Garden

Tips For Growing A Successful Organic Garden

You have the desire to set up an organic garden that is nutritious and fresh. It's the perfect time to begin! These tips will help you start an organic garden. Asprin will actually help your plants out by killing diseases. Your plants can benefit from a solution you can make by dissolving one and one-half aspirins into a couple of gallons of water. All you need to do is spray the plants with the solution in order to battle common ailments. Apply this solution to your plants every few weeks. Include your children in your efforts to organic gardening. Toiling together in the garden brings your family closer together and offers many different opportunities to learn new things and instill green values. Perennial gardens should be prepared easily and quickly in the ground. Simply use a spade or small shovel to get under the grass or turf and flip it over. Then, using wood chips, cover the area to a depth of three or four inches. Let this sit for a couple weeks, next dig into it to plant your new plants. Gardeners who are intrigued by the ideas of organic and sustainable methods should think about designating a portion of their landscape to support native plants and animals. The presence of native flowers, trees and grasses will attract birds and insects. You will be rewarded by an appealing and flourishing landscape. Maximize your time by keeping your tools close. Carry a large bucket with you or wear pants with a lot of pockets. Have gloves, shears, a trowel and anything else you need handy for quick use. Before planting your favorite perennials, you must first prepare the ground. Slice under the grass with a spade, flip the layer you have lifted over, and spread three inches of wood chips on top. Let the area have about two weeks, then dig it and plan the new perennials. You should add a two to three inch layer of organic mulch to your flower bed. This is a simple method of discouraging weeds, retaining moisture, and adding excellent nutrients into the garden. In addition, your flower beds will have a beautiful, finished appearance year round. Use several inches of organic materials for mulch in your flower beds. By doing this, you can lock in moisture, discourage weed growth, and nourish your plants. Mulch also completes your garden, giving it a finished appearance. It is common knowledge that grounds from brewed coffee are good for soil. Coffee grounds contain many of the essential nitrogenous nutrients that plants are able to use. Generally, nitrogen is the limiting nutrient with any plant and having a good nitrogen source either by coffee grounds, compost, or even diluted urea, will make your plants bloom faster and grow taller. When planting seeds in containers, remember that the depth should be at least three times bigger than the seed. There are some seeds, however, that you should not cover at all, since they need sunlight to germinate. Ageratum and petunias are two examples of seeds that should not be planted deeply. If you are unsure about your seed's requirements for sunlight, the resources are often provided along with the seeds, or you can find out online. To get the most from your composting efforts, aim for a 1:1 ratio of dried materials and green plant products. Green plant material includes grass clippings, spent flowers, vegetable and fruit waste, weeds and leaves. Dried material includes straw, shredded paper, and cardboard. Avoid using animal manure, charcoal or diseased plants in your compost. When you are growing seedlings in your organic garden, lightly brush over them using your hand up to twice a day. This will sound a bit strange. However, it has been proven to cause plants to grow larger. When you plant the seeds in containers, be sure the planting's depth is three times bigger than the seed. Some seeds need sunlight and should not be buried. Some common examples include ageratum and petunias. When in doubt about whether a seed requires direct sun exposure, you can find lots of information online or on the seed packaging itself.

Treated Wood

If you're planning on selling crops to people and labeling them as organic, you will need to receive an organic gardening certification. This will not only increase sales, but it will demonstrate to your customers that your products are legitimate and that you are doing what it takes to grow the best crops. A raised bed can be built with untreated wood, brick or stone. If you choose to use wood to construct your bed, choose a species that is naturally resistant to rot and avoid treated wood entirely. Cypress, locust and cedar usually work best. Treated wood can leach chemicals into any soil it rests against, so don't use it in a garden with vegetables. If you have placed treated wood in your garden, line it with a coat of plastic. Adopting organic gardening methods may take more effort than traditional approaches, but the payoff is considerably worth it. While chemical companies may make astounding claims about their products, growing organically is the most rewarding option for you and those who consume your crops. Though organic farming can present challenges that traditional farming with the use of chemicals does not, harvesting the crops is reward itself for the hard work. While chemical claims are wondrous, growing organically is a great reward to whomever eats your produce. The growth of organic garlic is simple. Plant single garlic cloves during the spring or fall seasons in soil that is moist and well drained. Each clove should be planted end-up, four inches apart and between one and two inches below the surface of the soil. You can use the tops of the garlic shoots instead of scallions or chives. When the bulbs begin turning brown on top, they are ready for harvesting. Harden the skin by setting the bulb in the sun, it usually takes several days. The garlic may then be stored within a cool location tied together in bunches or simply loose. Consider the climate and season when watering your plants. The amount of water you need depends on when you are doing the watering, whether your water is high-quality and the grade of the soil in your garden. Dry soil in a humid climate can accelerate the growth of unwanted foes, such as a leaf fungus. This is a perfect example of where your watering schedule would be adjusted to provide moisture in the peak hours of each day. The important thing is to make sure the plant's roots receive sufficient water. You can easily make a new garden for your perennials in just a few steps. Lift the top layer of turf with your spade, flip it, then cover the exposed soil with three or more inches of mulch. Let this set for a few weeks before you plant your perennials. Try to avoid over-watering your plants. Too much water will make it more difficult for the plants to absorb the nutrients they need from the soil. Don't go ahead and water your garden if the weather report predicts rain that day. When showers are on the way, you can save yourself the chore of watering. Open your mind to the diverse environments that can be created in your garden space. You will notice more wildlife if you have diverse plants. Your organic garden should closely mimic a natural setting so plant different varieties of plants that can coexist in your location. Different varieties can give you a pleasant garden to relax in, while doing good things for the environment. Look up local botanical insecticides; they can be very useful in keeping the pest population at bay. You can find more power from natural insecticides, as opposed to engineered synthetic pesticides. However, botanical insecticides may not last as long because of their biological makeups, which makes them disappear more quickly. Here you have organic gardening, simplified! Stick to native plants, grasses, flowers and bushes when you plan out your landscape. Selecting plants which will thrive in your area, and get along with the plants you already have, you won't have to use as much fertilizer or pesticides. Instead, you will find that native plants will work especially well with compost made from other native ingredients! At least 3" of organic mulch should be added to the flower beds and garden. This is a great tip to practice for a healthy, vibrant organic garden. Not only will the mulch nourish the soil and subsequently the plants, but it also helps to cut back on the amount of weeds that grow in your garden. For an easy, organic garden option, try a shade garden. A shade garden does not require a lot of maintenance from you. You will also eliminate time and effort by a reduced need for watering your garden. While growth is a bit slower, there are also fewer weeds to remove. If organic gardening is something you desire to do, it's critical that you are aware of the proper method to make beds. Use a spade to slice under the grass. Then turn it over and put wood chips on this area. Three to four inches should be enough. After a few weeks, you can cut in it and plant. Carefully decide which plants you want to grow before you plant your garden. Different types of flowers, plants, fruits and vegetables, require different kinds of soils and environmental conditions to grow properly. One example of this are roses; some may and some may not thrive in the type of garden you grow and create. So you want to make sure you find ones that are suited for your organic environment. Be specific about the things you desire to grow when it comes to your organic garden. You will need to cultivate specific environments for various vegetables and plants. For instance, there are many kinds of roses and some will work in your garden, while others won't. Therefore, you need to be sure that the varieties you chose to plant, are most suited to the growing environment present in your garden. When they are in healthy soil, plants can withstand diseases and handle insect damage much better. Even with insects present, you can avoid the damage they cause, so you and the bugs are happy. You know that there are numerous benefits to using compost on organic gardens, but have you ever wondered what it is made up of? It's a mix of grass clippings, leaves, produce scraps, straw, small twigs and wood chips that break down and turn into a "fake" soil. This rich mixture is far superior to chemical fertilizers. Add fruit peels and leftover pieces of fruits to your compost pile. These items naturally create compost, and this provides great bedding for your garden at almost no cost to you.

Organic Garden

Keep leaves you rake from your yard for use as organic compost you can mix in with your soil. Leaves decompose, therefore creating an organic compost that is very healthy and nutrient rich for your plants. This is a great alternative to buying compost, and you can save a lot of money by doing this. You are now well-equipped with insight on creating an organic garden. You may have thought you were prepared before, but now you will be a veritable expert! Hopefully, the advice you have learned will give you the knowledge and confidence you need to produce a beautiful and beneficial organic garden. You can be a bit more environmentally friendly by doing things like saving rainwater. Use gutters and rain barrels to trap the water and use it to hydrate your plants. This will save you a lot of money in water bills. One of the few things in life that is both free and plentiful is rainwater! Rainwater also does not contain the added chemicals that tap water has.

Read more »

Helpful Advice For Growing Organic Produce

Helpful Advice For Growing Organic Produce

There are many all-natural methods out there you can use to grow a bright, vibrant, healthy organic garden. You just need to learn what you can do, and then do it. If you want to start a small organic garden indoors, evaluate the amount of natural light that is present. The amount of light available can determine which type of organic plants you should grow. For example, if your living area does not provide much natural sunlight, you could grow those plants that only need low to medium amounts of natural light to thrive. If you simply must have a plant that has higher requirements for sunlight, you can use indoor UV lamps. Get your children interested in helping with your organic garden. Helping a garden grow is an excellent learning experience for kids, and it allows your family to spend time together while creating healthy, nutritious foods. It is easy to quickly prepare your perennial garden ground. You just need to use your garden spade for slicing underneath the turf, then flip it, and finally spread about three or four inch deep piles of wood chips. Let the area have about two weeks, then dig it and plan the new perennials. Think about planting everbearing strawberries in your garden, especially if you have small children. Kids really enjoy plucking snacks directly from the ground, and may have greater enthusiasm for the work if they see the results of their labor right away. Pine needles should not be overlooked as a great source for mulch. Certain plants are acidic, and thrive in acidic soil. Pine needles are an excellent form of mulch for these types of plants. Covering your plant beds with a layer of pine needles will allow the pine needles to disperse their acidic nutrients into the soil for your plants. You can help your plants resist disease by spraying them with aspirin water. An aspirin and a half, dissolved in about two gallons of fresh water, is great for your plants. Spray your plants with the water if they have a disease. Be sure to repeat this process every two or three weeks. If you are planting seeds in containers, a good rule of thumb is that the seed's depth should be around three times its overall size. Some seeds need sunlight and should not be buried. Two of the common examples are petunias and ageratum. If you aren't sure, look online or at the package. If you like the concept of organic gardening, then why not take it one step further by leaving some of your land undeveloped for the area's wildlife? One side effect of this is that where animals thrive, so do birds and insects that help nurture and pollinate plants, which will increase the quality of your garden. Ruffle the seedlings carefully with a piece of soft cardboard or your hands twice a day. While it seems a little odd, it has been reported that this can encourage plant growth. It is important to keep the temperature set between 65 and 75 degrees, if you wish to raise plants in the home. Plants require a warmer climate to grow. If you think it would not be comfortable to keep your residence that warm in the winter, consider purchasing a heat lamp to use on the plants. A beer trap is an effective way of of dealing with any slugs that invade your organic garden. Bury a canning jar so that the open mouth and the soil top are level. Next, fill the jar with beer until there is only one inch left below the mouth of the jar. Slugs will be attracted to the beer and find themselves trapped.

Pine Needles

The watering needs of your garden will vary considerably, depending on your climate zone and the time of year. The amount of water needed will change based on time of the day, the content of your municipal water and what your soil make-up is. For instance, if you are in a warm and humid climate, avoid getting any water on the leaves because this will cause leaf fungus. Make sure that your root system is well-watered. Pine is a surprisingly good source of mulch. Many types of plants thrive in soil that has high acid levels. When you have plants like this, nothing is easier than to gather pine needles for your beds. Simply add a layer of pine needles a couple of inches deep to the plant beds. The needles will decompose over time and provide the soil with acidity. Over-watering your plants can be harmful, because roots that are drowning in water cannot effectively pull nutrients out of the soil. Prior to watering your outdoor plants, you should check with weather stations to see if it will be raining later in the day. If a downpour is coming, you may want to forgo watering your plants that day. In order to claim your crops are legitimately organic and be credible, it is important to your customers that you become organic garden certified. Having this certification will create a lot of trust with customers. People who want to eat organically will purchase from you with full confidence. You should rotate your garden every year. Planting your garden in the same area every year will allow fungus to grow there as well. The fungus and bacteria will stay in the ground a whole year and attack your plants when the time is right. Different plants have different immunities and vulnerabilities. Changing what you plant where will naturally stave off fungus and disease. Organic gardening is a high-risk, high-reward activity compared to normal gardening, but the rewards certainly are sweet. While the chemical companies claim great benefits, organic gardening will always provide the most rewarding and healthy crops. Research botanical insecticide formulas, as they are often quite effective in eradicating pests. These natural insecticides are just as effective as chemicals, sometimes even more so. However, botanical pesticides rot rather quickly and tend to disappear. One thing that sets organic gardening apart from conventional gardening is that commercial pesticides are not used. However, although this is a much healthier alternative, it is important to check surfaces of organic fruits and vegetables thoroughly to be sure that no unwanted pests are living in or on them. Just by doing a few things, you can make a garden for perennials. Use a spade to cut and flip over your turf, then cover the new bed with wood chips. In a few weeks, try cutting into your new bed and planting some perennials. While any kind of gardening can make you feel as though you're in tune with nature, organic gardening takes this to the next level. You will learn how to care for you plants from planting the seeds to harvesting your delicious vegetables. Add mulch into your garden, you want to use at the very least organic material of three inches. This will help your garden by adding nourishment to the soil, holding in moisture levels, inhibiting the growth of unsightly weeds, and creating a noticeably more professional look. Change your garden beds every year. Fungus and diseases will appear if you have the same kind of plants in the same place from one year to the next. The fungus and bacteria will stay in the ground a whole year and attack your plants when the time is right. If you change things up by planting things in different places, you can naturally prevent fungus and disease from taking over. Know how to make beds the correct way, if you want to make an organic garden. You do this by slicing underneath the turf using an appropriate tool. After doing this, flip the dirt upside down, then cover the area with several inches of wood cihps. Wait for a few weeks to pass, then cut into it for planting.

Botanical Insecticides

Make sure your garden has biodiversity. The more varieties of plants that are around, the more wildlife will be around. Create a more natural environment by planting lots of varieties in you garden. If you can accomplish this, your garden will be a pleasant place where you can relax, and you will have the satisfaction that comes from doing your bit for the environment. Try using botanical insecticides to help rid your garden of pests, without using chemicals. In many cases, organic insecticides work even better than commercial products that are full of chemicals. Keep in mind, however, that the biological composition of botanical insecticides can cause them to quickly decay and disappear. This tip greatly eases your organic gardening attempts. One of the best techniques is to plant native flowers, grasses and bushes to your landscape. If you choose groups of plants that all mesh with each other in terms of optimal soil conditions, weather requirements and plant interaction, you won't need to do as much work to get the plants to coexist peacefully. In fact, you are sure to discover that such plants are able to grow beautifully in compost made out of other indigenous substances. Anybody can grow a garden, but those who bother to understand what they're doing will be the only ones to reap rich rewards from their crop. Use the tips provided here for organic gardening. If you are planning to plant trees or shrubs in your yard, you should pay close attention to the hole that you have dug. If you create holes that have "glazed" sides created by shovels, it's possible that one of those holes will restrict any root from getting into the soil nearby.

Read more »

Organic Gardening Tips You Should Try Out!

Organic Gardening Tips You Should Try Out!

Organic gardening is known as a hobby that requires both a green thumb and great patience. It is an activity that has a goal of growing fresh, nutritious food that is free of pesticides. Although this may sound easier than it is. Read on for suggestions on what you will need to start gardening like a pro. When you are organic gardening, ask your children to lend a hand. Toiling together in the garden brings your family closer together and offers many different opportunities to learn new things and instill green values. Plant ever-bearing strawberries for your children in the organic garden. Your children will enjoy being able to pick strawberries and will be ready to help you if they can get something sweet to eat. One way to help your organic garden thrive is to leave an undeveloped area that is conducive to the wildlife around your area. Your cultivated garden spaces will benefit from the various insects and wildlife that will inhabit and pollinate the undeveloped space. Try using aspirin water for fighting plant diseases. One and a half aspirin, dissolved in two gallons of water, can be a great addition to your plants. You simply have to spray the solution on your plants to assist them in warding off diseases. Spray them once about every three weeks. When growing plants inside of the house, you should ensure the thermostat is set at around 65-75 degrees in the daytime. This is the optimum temperature to ensure strong growth. You can also buy a heat lamp to maintain ideal conditions for your inside plants during the winter. Easily and quickly prepare your ground for a garden of perennials. Use a spade to dig up some soil, flip the soil over, and finally, sprinkle around 3-4 inches of wood chips on the soil. Allow the newly turned soil to sit for two weeks, then plant your perennials. Create a space perfect for any perennial garden with this easy method. Only a garden spade and woods chips are necessary. To prepare the garden, slice out sheets of turf using the spade, and flip the turf upside down. Then, cover the newly turned soil with wood chips, approximately three inches deep. Let this sit for a couple weeks, next dig into it to plant your new plants. To make the most of your time in the garden, you should store all of your tools and implements in a close, accessible location. Carry your tools in a bucket, or keep them in the pockets of a pair of rugged pants. Keep your trowel, pruning shears and gloves handy so you can do your garden work quickly and easily. Keep your garden tools close at hand to make the most of your gardening time. Keep the tools in a big bucket, or store them in strong pockets in your pants. Keep your trowel, pruning shears and gloves handy so you can do your garden work quickly and easily.

Flower Beds

Spend your time working efficiently in your organic garden. Do not spend half an hour looking everywhere for a tool. Before you start work in the garden, make sure you have the necessary tools, and always remember to put them away when you are finished. It may be necessary to don a tool belt or cargo pants with extra pockets. Put an organic material, such as mulch two or three inches deep, in your flower beds. This will prevent weeds from growing, retain humidity, and feed your plants with the nutrients they need. It will also increase the visual appeal of the flower beds. Plastic bags can be kept on hand and reused to slip over your dirty gardening shoes. This allows you to keep going, getting back to your garden quickly. To garden properly in an organic fashion, requires a lot of patience, a lot of elbow grease and even more know-how. This hobby makes good use of your land to produce tasty vegetables and fruits. All it takes is a little studying and practice to become a successful organic gardener. For claiming your crops are credible and truly organic, get organic garden certified. This can increase your sales and also prove to your customers that they are getting the best produce out there.

Read more »

Use These Tips To Become Skilled At Organic Gardening

Use These Tips To Become Skilled At Organic Gardening

As the organic movement gains momentum, increasing numbers of people are being attracted to holistic lifestyles. People who live this kind of lifestyle usually grow herbs and plants to enjoy the health benefits of this vegetation; they must be grown organically. Check out the helpful organic growth tricks listed below. You should teach your children how to garden alongside you. Growing a garden offers a unique learning experience, and you and your child can grow closer while growing healthy food for your family. If little ones live in your home, consider including everbearing strawberries in the garden plot. Small kids enjoy picking fruit themselves out of a garden. Because of this, they'll be more likely to provide you with some assistance in your garden if they feel like they're receiving something out of this. Indoor plants need an environment that is between 65 and 75 degrees. Plants need to be in an environment that is neither too warm nor too cool for them to grow. Heat lamps can be used to promote growth without the necessity of raising your home's interior temperature. Organic indoor plants may need additional light sources to make up for the light they miss out on by being indoors. This needs to be considered. If your house or apartment doesn't get a lot of natural light, one option is to grow something that only requires medium or low light. If your plants still need more light, there are always artificial light sources that you can use. When growing organic plants indoors, it is important to consider the amount of light that is available to them. If your house or apartment doesn't get a lot of natural light, one option is to grow something that only requires medium or low light. If you do and this does not help, consider investing in some grow-lights. Preparing the soil for your perennial garden is easy. Simple slice into the soil with a spade, flip the turf, and mulch the area with 3 to 4 inches of wood chips. Allow the newly turned soil to sit for two weeks, then plant your perennials. It's simple to lay a new perennial bed. With a garden spade, slice under the dirt then flip it over. Next, spread out wood chips several inches deep. Allow a few weeks to pass by before you dig down into the applied soil. When your plants begin to sprout, they can survive in somewhat cooler temperatures. It's important to move the plants away from any heat source as they grow larger. You can now take off any protective coverings on your plants that were there to shield them from the elements. Check on your seeds often so you catch them when they are ready. Your seeds, once they begin sprouting, don't need the same amount of warmth as they did before. It's important to move the plants away from any heat source as they grow larger. Take any plastic film off of your containers because they hold in heat and humidity. Keep a close watch on your seeds to know when to do this. You should work efficiently, instead of working hard in your garden, to simplify things. Do not spend half an hour looking everywhere for a tool. Prepare all of your tools prior to working in the garden, and then put them away neatly when finished. You can use a tool belt, or you may want to wear pants with extra pockets. Plastic bags can be kept on hand and reused to slip over your dirty gardening shoes. This way, you can maintain your momentum and head right back to your garden so that you can finish what you were doing. Try to keep plastic bags on hand to cover shoes that are muddy. This helps you stay in the zone so that you can continue gardening when you have completed your tasks in the house. Do not underestimate pine as great mulch. Some garden plants have a high acidity, and prefer acidic soil. If you are growing these types of plants, simply gather up fallen pine needles for use in your garden. Cover up your beds with a few inches of needles. As they start to decompose, they'll spread out acid onto the ground and soil. Don't use pesticides - kill your weeds naturally! You can place newspaper in several layers, and it will help control your weeds. Without exposure to the sun, weeds cannot thrive. When you place layers of newspapers on top of them, the weeds will suffocate from the lack of light. Newspapers also decompose fairly quickly, and mix with your garden soil. You can then add a mulch layer right on top so that it looks more attractive. Add used coffee grounds to your garden soil. Coffee grounds are full of nitrogenous nutrients that growing plants need. Nitrogen is generally a way to make your plants grow bigger, better and faster. A rule of thumb followed by many planters is to bury the seeds in soil to a depth of around three times the diameter of the actual seed. There are exceptions to this rule though, as some seeds need direct sunlight to grow. Two of the common examples are petunias and ageratum. The directions for how to handle the seeds will usually be found on the seed's package. You can also find this information online. Regularity is the key to keeping your organic garden in order, don't let your list of chores pile up. Even doing just a few small things each day can keep chores from piling up and eventually becoming unmanageable. This will save you a lot of time in the long run. For example, while your canine is outside going to the toilet, take the time to pull out a few weeds. One odd but apparently useful tip for growing organic plants, is to lightly brush your plants with your fingers or a piece of cardboard 1-2 times a day. While it seems a little odd, it has been reported that this can encourage plant growth. Use an old laundry basket to bring your fresh produce in from the garden. An old basket will act like a strainer does. Rinse off your produce while it's in the laundry basket, and any excess water will be strained out through the basket's holes. For claiming your crops are credible and truly organic, get organic garden certified. This can boost sales and tell loyal customers that you're providing the best to them. Use equal parts of green and dried plant material in your compost pile. Examples of green plant material are spent flowers, fruit and vegetable waste, grass clippings, weeds, and leaves. For the dry end of the spectrum, think of things like paper and cardboard, sawdust, hay, etc. Materials to avoid during composting include diseased plants, meat, ashes and charcoal. Make sure you plant your garden in different areas every year. Keeping plants that belong to the same family in the same place can eventually spark fungus growth and disease. These harmful elements remain in the soil and can damage the plants you place in that spot the following year. If you mix things up, by planting in different spots, you will have enlisted a natural method of keeping fungus and diseases at bay. Do you want to get rid of weeds in a natural way? Try using several newspaper layers to control weeds. Weeds can't grow without sunlight. With layers of newspaper on them, the weeds are not going to have light, and therefore will not grow. Newspapers also decompose fairly quickly, and mix with your garden soil. Add a layer of mulch on top to make it look more attractive!

Botanical Insecticides

In order to construct your raised beds, make use of untreated brick, stone, wood and other materials. Choose wood that is naturally resistant to rot and is untreated. Excellent choices are cedar, locust and cypress. Do not use treated wood in your vegetable garden. If the ground cover you've used already contained treated lumber, line it with a barrier of some form. You may be able to find botanical insecticides locally, which are often very helpful for preventing pest infestations. In some cases, natural solutions are much more efficient than the chemicals you can buy. However, because botanical insecticides are biological, they often decay and disappear quickly. One way to profitably sell products from your organic garden is to be a credible organic gardener. Get organically certified. Having this certification will create a lot of trust with customers. People who want to eat organically will purchase from you with full confidence. When working in the garden, know exactly what you are using. Try natural or organic alternatives to the usual chemical fertilizers. One good example is compost. By using organic substances as fertilizers, you avoid contributing to the toxic levels of contamination in soil and water that inorganic fertilizers have been blamed for causing. An organic garden is a benefit to you and everyone else who consumes the food that grows there. While chemical pesticides and fertilizers may claim to do great things for your garden, organic methods will give you the best crops possible. Make your organic garden easier to maintain. Try planning your landscape with native flowers, bushes, and grasses. When you choose plants that can work with your soil type, climate and nearby plants, you can reduce the need of fertilizers and other aids. In fact, you are sure to discover that such plants are able to grow beautifully in compost made out of other indigenous substances. Overall, a layer of mulch is beneficial for the soil. A layer of mulch can protect the soil beneath. On hot days, mulch will also protect your plant's roots by keeping them moist and cool. Mulch also slows the rate at which water evaporates, which improves your soil's ability to retain moisture. This will also help to keep weeds under control. Incorporate shade elements into any organic garden area. These types of gardens are incredibly low maintenance, which many people will be relieved to hear. Shade gardens do not need to be watered as much, so you do not have to work in them as often. They do grow slower, but you have less weeds to get rid of. Each year, you should rotate the plants in your garden. Planting the same family of plants in the same area over and over can cause disease and fungus to start growing. Fungus and disease may stay in the soil and then affect your plants the next growing season. So, you want to make sure you mix it up and keep your garden on the move so that you avoid a problem like this. Use at least 3" of organic material to mulch flowers and trees. This is not only beneficial for the earth, but it also saves you water and money on the water bill. You may also find the effect aesthetically pleasing. Plant some organic garlic. Garlic cloves may be planted in soil with good drainage in either the spring or fall. Lay each bulb into the ground ends up at a distance of about 4 inches away from the next bulb and 1-2 inches down into the soil. Green garlic shoots can be cut as they grow, and used in place of chives or scallions. When the tops of the bulbs become brown, it is time to harvest them. Place the freshly picked bulbs in the sun, and let them dry and harden for a couple of days. Store them somewhere cool, in tied bunches or loose. Weeds are irritating no matter what type of garden you have. This will allow you to kill weeds organically, and will keep both you and the environment safe. Spread three inches of organic material on your garden for mulch. Your garden will look more professional, have fewer weeds, and benefit from the moisture control and additional nutrients. You know that there are numerous benefits to using compost on organic gardens, but have you ever wondered what it is made up of? It is made of things such as wood chips, lawn cuttings, fallen leaves, bits of produce, straw and other yard waste that has started to decompose. Compost can be used instead of commercially produced fertilizer. Try to keep your garden diverse. Wildlife will be drawn to the multiple species of plants that you incorporate into your garden. You want to have a diver garden so do your best to plant a bunch of different plants. If you do this, you can create a naturally relaxing atmosphere, and have satisfaction from helping the environment yourself. Gather together as many tips and tricks for improving your organic garden as possible. The more you have, the more knowledge you can potentially gain. Don't forget that this advice is just the beginning. You can grow a variety of different plants in your home organic garden. Mulch is a must-have for plants that require acidic conditions. These kinds of plants will do better if they are mulched with a nice thick layer of needles from a pine tree during the fall season each year. The needles will decompose and transfer their acidity to the soil.

Read more »

Organic Gardening Advice For A Better Garden

Organic Gardening Advice For A Better Garden

It can be a bit tricky at times but don't let that deter you; when you grow your own organic garden, you create healthy products for you to eat. You can choose from many different seeds. Keep reading for insight on what is best suited for the garden of your dreams. If little ones live in your home, consider including everbearing strawberries in the garden plot. Children are thrilled to harvest fruit from their own garden, and doing so often makes them more enthusiastic about helping out with the more hum-drum aspects of tending a garden. If you're planning on gardening inside, the first thing you should consider is an adequate light source. Almost every type of plant you grow requires ample sunlight, so think about how much natural light you home receives or if you perhaps need to supplement with UV lamps. If you want to grow plants that need a lot of light, consider using artificial lighting. If you're really serious about environmentally-friendly gardening practices, refrain from developing some of your land and use it as an animal habitat. Wildlife can help the plants in your garden to thrive, as insects support plant reproduction, while the excrement of many species contains nutrients which can help to fertilize your soil. You should work efficiently, instead of working hard in your garden, to simplify things. Don't waste your time by looking all over for your tools. Have all of tools you will need for the day before you head out your garden. When you are finished, put them away neatly for the next time. You can keep your garden tools in a tool belt, or in your pockets. Another good idea is to keep them all in a bucket that you carry around with you. When growing indoor plants, the thermostat should be set between 65-75 degrees throughout the day. In order to encourage proper growth, they will need that warmth. Another option is the use heat lamps that will protect your organic plants. Spacing is an important factor to consider when planting your garden. You must think of how much room the plants will take up as they grow, and it easy to underestimate this. Space is vital for your plants not only due to their literal physical size requirements but also because of how much room your garden needs for air circulation. Plan your garden carefully and leave enough space between the seeds. If you're planning on gardening inside, the first thing you should consider is an adequate light source. If the garden will receive little sunlight, find plants that can grow in medium or low-light environments. If you simply must have a plant that has higher requirements for sunlight, you can use indoor UV lamps. Tend your organic garden on a regular schedule. No matter what your schedule is like, you should be able to fit in small things that will help you avoid having an overwhelming amount of work all at once. For example, if your family is cooking out on the grill, you could clear a few bunches of weeds between checking on the burgers. For your flower beds, organic material should be used as mulch. Two or three inches should be enough. This practice is an easy way to discourage weeds, retain moisture, and add valuable nutrients to your garden. It also adds a uniform and cohesive look to the garden.

Laundry Basket

Pine can be a wonderful mulch. Some garden plants are high in acidity, and do better with acidic soil. For these types of plants, pine needles are wonderful for mulching. Go ahead and cover the beds you have with needles a couple of inches and while they decompose, they actually disperse some acid into the soil. Use an aged laundry basket when you want to collect your produce. The basket will make a great strainer when you wash your vegetables. When you put your produce in a basket, you can then rinse it off and let it strain any excess water through the laundry basket holes. Add used coffee grounds to your garden soil. Coffee grounds contain many of the essential nitrogenous nutrients that plants are able to use. Nitrogen, along with phosphorous and potassium, is an important nutrient in the garden. It contributes to healthy and strong growth of the plant, but don't overuse it. When planting seeds in containers, remember that the planting depth should be around three times bigger than the seed size. But, is important to realize the some seeds ought not be covered, as they need complete exposure to sun. Petunias and ageratum are two examples of seeds that require sunlight. If you don't know whether your seeds require sun exposure, check the seed package or search online for the information. Spacing is essential when planting an organic garden. It can be easy to underestimate how much space your plants will need once they begin growing. Proper spacing is important not just to accommodate the plants' sizes but also for air circulation. Plan accordingly and put an appropriate amount of distance between seeds. As you have learned, having an organic garden is an important factor in healthy dietary habits, as is a thorough understanding of the many plants you can choose from. Using the information that has been provided is a great way to start an organic garden of your own. Tend your organic garden on a regular schedule. Every time you go outside, you should take care of a few things so that you do not have too much work to do when you have the time to go back to your garden. If you're outside with your pet, try to remove weeds when your pet is doing his business.

Read more »

Amazing Advice For A Thriving Organic Garden

Amazing Advice For A Thriving Organic Garden

You want to create a healthy and fresh organic garden. Your timing is awesome! Read the following article and you will get some great organic gardening information. Planting organic strawberries is a great way to encourage your children to get involved. Children find it fun to pick strawberries and love to assist with the harvest if they get some yummy treats as they work. Include your kids in growing an organic garden. Toiling together in the garden brings your family closer together and offers many different opportunities to learn new things and instill green values. Using aspirin water will help your plants fight diseases. Dissolve one aspirin and a half for 2 gallons of water. Simply spray your plants with the mixture, and this will help them fend off various diseases. Apply at three week intervals. A mixture of aspirin and water can protect your plants from common diseases. One and one half aspirin crushed and added to a two gallon container of water will be a great help for your plants. Spray your plants with the water if they have a disease. You should spray your plants about once every three weeks. Make sure you have your gardening tools near you, so you can maximize your gardening efficiency. Use a large bucket, or wear rugged pants with several pockets. Keep common tools such as your gloves or your pruning shears within reach so that you can quickly and easily maintain your garden whenever you need to. If you have plants inside, make sure the thermostat stays between 65 and 75 degrees. In order to encourage proper growth, they will need that warmth. These temperatures may not be comfortable for you, however. As an alternative to keeping your entire home that warm, consider getting heat lamps for your organic plants. Use approximately two or three inches of natural, organic material as some mulch in every single flower bed. Covering the beds with mulch serves multiple purposes; it helps the flowers by retaining moisture and adding nutrients, and it discourages the growth of unwanted plants. This also gives your flower beds a more aesthetic aspect. You should utilize around three inches of mulch that is organic in your flower beds. A thick layer of mulch will prevent weeds, reduce watering needs and fertilize your garden. As an added bonus, a nice mulch can help make your garden look more finished. For some plants, pine needles makes an ideal mulch. Some plants like acidic soil because they have high acidity. If you have these plants in your garden, keep them healthy by using pine needles as mulch. Spread a few inches of pine needles on your organic beds so that it will put the acid into your soil. Have plastic bags on hand so that you may cover your muddy gardening shoes. This lets you be able to return to the garden without interrupting your work. Leave plenty of growing space when you plant your garden. Plants take up quite a bit of space as they grow, and it's easy to underestimate just how much. The plants need space due to sheer size and also for air circulation. Make sure that you map out your garden layout beforehand and place your seeds with an adequate amount of space in between each.

Laundry Basket

For container planting, be sure to plant your seeds at a depth around three times the radius of the seed. You should know that certain seeds need not be covered, because they need the sunlight. Some of these seeds are petunias and ageratum. Always be sure to check online or with the company you're purchasing the seeds from as to their sunlight needs. When the time comes to harvest your produce, collect it using an old laundry basket. Laundry baskets which have holes in them act as giant strainers for your home grown produce. The produce can be rinsed off as it sits in the laundry basket, and extra water will drain out through the sides. If you have recently planted seeds in your organic garden, you should regularly aerate the soil by using your hands to gently sift it. This may sound strange, but research has proven that doing this will help your plants grow bigger than if they were not petted at all. To get the most from your composting efforts, aim for a 1:1 ratio of dried materials and green plant products. Green plant material consists of spent flowers, veggie and fruit waste, leaves, weeds, and grass clippings. The leaves you rake in the fall, straw, sawdust and the like are dry material. You should not use things like meat scraps, charcoal, blighted plants or the manure of meat-eating animals in your compost. If you're planning on selling crops to people and labeling them as organic, you will need to receive an organic gardening certification. This will increase sales and shows your customers they've been buying from the best. Do you want to get rid of weeds in a natural way? You need to have many layers of newspapers in order to provide proper weed control. Weeds can't grow without sunlight. By covering them with a layer of newspaper, you are essentially suffocating the weeds due to a lack of light. Newspapers break down over time, and they make a great addition to compost. You can add mulch on top for aesthetic reasons. Water based on the current climate and the season. You should consider water quality and soil type when watering your plants. Try to water your plants at the same time every day, as time of day also affects how much water they need. If the climate is hot, but humid you'll have to avoid watering the leaves, for example. You have to make sure to water the root system. One odd but apparently useful tip for growing organic plants, is to lightly brush your plants with your fingers or a piece of cardboard 1-2 times a day. Although this method may seem counterproductive, it actually helps the seeds to grow quicker and stronger. Adding too much water could be harmful to the plants, because excess water will hinder the roots ability to get the nutrients they need from the soil. Always check the weather forecast for chances of rain before going outside to water your plants. You may want to skip the watering during a day that will receive significant rainfall. Organic gardening is more difficult than gardening with chemicals, but you will reap a greater reward. Harsh chemicals may be easier to use, but they can affect the nutrition and taste of your vegetables. Organic gardening is a relaxing hobby that will give you a great sense of satisfaction. Organic gardening is an excellent lesson in the plant life cycle and how to get the most from the planting process. Water demands from plants will depend on the season and the climate in your area. The amount of water you will need will vary according to your climate and even such factors as the part of day and soil type. Overzealous watering in an already humid climate can lead to leaf fungus. Rather, make sure the root system is watered. Always give your garden the benefit of looking beneath the upper portions of a plant. When buying tomato seedlings for the garden, keep an eye on lush green starts with root systems that are bad. If starts don't have a good root system, they'll remain attached to the seedlings for a long time. The seedlings won't be able to thrive until the starts have been removed. Try to avoid over-watering your plants. Too much water will make it more difficult for the plants to absorb the nutrients they need from the soil. If you are going to water your plants outdoors, you should first check the weather for you area to see if any rain is coming that day. If rain is on its way, you are probably safe to skip watering duties for the day. It's best to plant tomatoes in an organic garden on a three-week cycle. This helps the entire harvest from being ready at the same time. Also, if something goes wrong during one harvest, all your tomatoes won't be ruined.

Organic Garden

Open your mind to the diverse environments that can be created in your garden space. A larger variety of plants in your garden will attract more wildlife. Your organic garden should closely mimic a natural setting so plant different varieties of plants that can coexist in your location. By doing this, you will turn your garden into a pleasurable and relaxing retreat, and will also have the benefit of helping the environment. After reading this article, you should have all the information necessary to start your organic garden. If you already knew about organic gardening, you should be an expert by now. The tips that were given should have provided you some advice that can help you get started with growing a beautiful organic garden. Here is a great way to make organic gardening fun and easy. Select native specimens for your landscape design. If you choose groups of plants that all mesh with each other in terms of optimal soil conditions, weather requirements and plant interaction, you won't need to do as much work to get the plants to coexist peacefully. Instead, you will find that native plants will work especially well with compost made from other native ingredients!

Read more »