Organic Garden Pest Spray

Organic Garden Pest Spray

The most inexpensive way to make a quart of garden pest spray is by mixing water with one spoon of dishwashing soap and one cup of cooking oil. When taking up organic gardening, you start to feel that you are really doing something useful for the environment and for your health, and the satisfaction is rewarding. Saving money is the other great privilege that an organic gardening practitioner feels over the others.

Compost Key to Nutrition

Compost Key to Nutrition

Who would think that there is a link between well-makde compost and nutrition? We are literally what we eat! There are 23 elements needed for human health that come from healthy soil and are converted by plants. These nutrients include amino acids, carbohydrates, essential fats, vitamins, minerals, enzymnes, and fiber. When plants are grown properly in nutrient-rich soil, their absorption of these 23 mineral nutrients can be maximized, boosting the nutrition of the food. So keep adding that compost to your garden it's good for the soil and you!

Alternative to raking leaves out with the trash

Composting

Consider alternatives to raking leaves out with trash, needlessly ...Birmingham News - Birmingham,AL,USA... Composting at home saves transportation and disposal costs and provides an environmentally sound way to manage yard waste.

Composting ...

Organic news

Organic garden

Katrina and Rita destroyed residents' sense of selfNorthJersey.com - Hackensack,NJ,USA... of about 35,000, the Camellia City, known for the plentiful and colorful flowers that dot ... He had the best organic garden I have ever seen in his back yard and ... FREDERICKSBURG TRANSPLANT GETTING HER GREENS Laura Shepherd ...The Free Lance-Star - Fredericksburg,VA,USA... Also that day, Shepherd helped Goplen weed borders, transplant flowers and move bushes. ... In exchange for unlimited cups of her favorite organic latte, she hauls ... Agro-exporters say return of DDT will be devastatingEast African - Nairobi,Kenya... exports of coffee, fish, tea, tobacco, cotton, cut flowers, cocoa beans ... protect human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants, including ... Eco-Friendly Food Of The WeekIndependent - London,England,UK... into dishes such as a dessert of "eight pure flavours of organic chocolate". ... All the fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers grown on site are incorporated into ... Garden color out of the blueArizona Daily Star - Tucson,AZ,USA... of organic matter. ● Cleveland sage is a mounding plant that grows 3 to 4 feet high and up to 6 feet wide. It has blue to violet-blue flowers, arranged in a ...

Why compost leaves first?

Using Leaf Compost

Why compost leaves first? If newly fallen leaves are added dirctly to the soil without first being composted, the microbes that decompose the leaves complete witht he growing plants for soil nitrogen. The temporary nitrogen shortage caused by the microbes can reduce plant growth. To reduce or eliminate this competion for nitrogen, composting of the leaves is recommended prior to incorporating them into soils. Using leaf compost

Orangic Flower and Garden Tips

organic flowers Gardening Diamond Frost one tough flowerBiloxi Sun Herald - MS, USA... after it rains, then by all means loosen the clay with organic matter or ... performance with the exception of producing hundreds of tiny white flowers instead. ... Healing gardensMartinsburg Journal - Martinsburg,WV,USA... She specialized in herbs and organic gardening ... planted medicine wheel gardens wherever she lived, picking up gardening techniques and plants or flowers she liked ... Local flower growers find support at the Watsonville farmers ...Santa Cruz Sentinel - Santa Cruz,CA,USA... "People really love the country flowers," Anna said. The Ruvalcabas have been growing mostly organic flowers near Prunedale for the past 17 years. ... Vermont stays focused on organic farmingBurlingtonFreePress.com - Burlington,VT,USA... Could natural foods stores around New England sell Vermont organic milk at a ... benefit from the freshest, locally produced fruits, vegetables, flowers, eggs, milk ... Get Out GuideOregonLive.com - Portland,OR,USA... Beaverton Farmers Market: More than 100 vendors offer farm-direct organic and traditional produce, fresh flowers, hanging baskets, plants, herbs, bulbs, trees ... Growing fall astersFranklin County Courier - Enosburg,Vermont,USA... It is covered with purple flowers through a long period in the fall, and unlike ... fertilizer such as one-fourth to one-half cup of an organic fertilizer early in ... East Coast to Central CoastSan Luis Obispo Tribune - San Luis Obispo,CA,USA... She practices organic gardening and has never sprayed with insecticide and uses no synthetic ... Dailey loves birds, and she plants many flowers to attract them. ... Best of the restThe State - Columbia,SC,USA... 3, beginning Sept. 8. Open-air market with flowers, organic produce, specialty gifts, art, handmade crafts. 1230 Main St. on First Citizens new plaza. ... What’s New in Greater Phoenix? (September 2006)TravelVideo.tv (press release) - USA... Each open-area plot will grow organic vegetables such as lettuce, carrots, celery, heirloom tomatoes, along with a variety of herbs and edible flowers. ...

Why Compost?

Why Compost?

Nothing warms a gardener’s heart like the sight of compost, the rich, organic material made from recycled vegetable peelings, grass clippings, leaves, twigs, and even coffee grounds. The gardener who has only a few Big Boy tomato plants in between Dark Red Irene geraniums and Bells of Ireland still appreciates a ripe pile of black, nutritious dirt. Recycling is more popular than ever as conspicuous consumption gives way to a growing ecological awareness. Creating a compost pile, even a simple one, contributes to a healthier ecosystem. The person who recycles cans, glass, and newspapers, and who composts vegetable peelings, leaves, grass clippings, and so on, has taken a small step toward ecological balance. Once you start recycling, you will be reluctant to throw even one apple peeling into the garbage. Besides, most town dumps no longer take any yard waste: grass clippings, leaves and weeds, twigs, and basic yard material. More tomorrow...

Composting

Orangic Flower and Garden Tips

Organic flowers and gardening Gardening challenges can be overcomeAkron Beacon Journal - Akron,OH,USAMy workweek was filled with site visits, including stops at an organic vegetable farm ... if the farmer happens to be growing vegetables, flowers or turf ... Landscaping may be a holy endeavourToronto Star - Ontario, Canada... of neglecting and then over-watering our plants and flowers. ... There is an organic connection between our souls and ... But walking by lawns that draw my eyes to ... Go tropical with fatsia's fabulous foliageNews & Observer - Raleigh,NC,USA... One of my favorite plants in this category is Japanese ... Following bloom, the flowers give way to clusters of black ... moist soil that is high in organic matter, it ... Organic flowers and gardneing

Organic Flowers

organic flowers Now is a good time to give glory lily a tryContra Costa Times - CA,USA... The flowers are spidery, lilylike, with six bright red petals with yellow margins and long ... In the landscape, plant them in organic-rich, well-drained soil. ... Fresh Crop: FirstGarden Unites GenerationsSouthern Pines Pilot - Southern Pines,NC,USA... Flowers, such as sunflowers, marigolds and zinnias, grow nearby, serving double duty to ... reviewed their study of weeds and their control in the organic way. ... Lazy Gardener Morning search nets best bloomsHouston Chronicle - United States... An avid organic gardener, Wadsworth loves the sunflowers for both their beauty and their habitat use. ... They can demolish whole flowers in a very short period. ... The Valverde codeChronicleHerald.ca - Halifax,Nova Scotia,Canada... Valverde also uses oil pastel for added texture and varies his lines between hard-edged and gestural for an organic spill of flowers within a more rigid ...

Organic Flowers

Organic Gardening-

Bugs, beetles, borers and caterpillars are bugging gardeners this summer.While it might be tempting to get rid of all of them, a closer look reveals that many insects are beneficial, as natural predators of garden pests or as pollinators and honey producers. Gardeners, then, are seeking ecologically sound ways to control specific pests that threaten to eat, defoliate or discolor their flowers and vegetables. For many people, a goal of keeping pesticides out of waterways and sparing beneficial insects means that they will use more hands-on controls and learn about the effects of organic products they apply...

Your compost garden news

Your compost garden

THE GARDENER WITHIN: Getting to know the enemy: Japanese beetlesSacramento Bee - CA, USA... The adults eat flowers and skeletonize the leaf tissue between the veins, leaving behind ... on the roots of turf-grass and other various plants and organic matter ... Farmers' market provides its customers with varietySouthCoastToday.com - New Bedford,MA,USA... might not associate with a farmers' market, such as organic insect repellent ... a wide selection of organically grown products, as well as flowers and plants. ...

Formula for Powdery Mildew

Formula for Powdery Mildew

Milk works in two ways: It has a germicidal effect--it kills the fungal spores-- and it also appears to stimulate plants in such a way that they become more resistant to the disease. In recent university tests, the milk and water spray was found to be more effective than the two most popular synthetic fungicides on the market today. Using milk as a fungicide is not new.

Here's the recipe:

1. Mix 1 cup of milk with 9 cups of water.
2. Put the solution in a sprayer and spray the entire plant including the undersides of the leaves.
3. Do this twice a week and your powdery mildew problem should disappear.

Sprinkle powder milk around your tomato plants every other week and watch your plants grow. Formula for Powdery Mildew

Composting news

Composting news -

Composting easy to beginRocky Mountain News - Denver,CO,USA... Effective composting requires a temperature range of 70 to 140 degrees, with breakdown occurring more rapidly at higher temperatures. ... Public Comments Requested on Proposed Livestock Composting ...Kansas City infoZine - Kansas City,MO,USA- infoZine - The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is requesting public comments on a proposed livestock composting facility, Midzell Farms ... Composting News

The good, the bad and the weedy

The good, the bad and the Weedy

A weed is defined as a plant that's out of place. But the distinction between a weed and a flower isn't as clear-cut as you might think. In fact, some of the weeds we try to banish can benefit our yards and gardens, while some that look as pretty as flowers can wreak havoc. We take a closer look at five common weeds, what they do, and what you can do about them...

Don't lose your cool over summer pests

Don’t lose your cool over summer pests

America’s most popular home crops, including tomatoes, corn, peppers, squash, melons and beans, demand the heat of the summer to produce their fruit. To get the most productive output from your garden during these months, you’ll want to be vigilant about a few things. First, make sure your plants are getting adequate water. Most plants need 1 to 1 1/2 inches each week. Soaker hoses are a great way to deliver this water to the plant through drip irrigation as the water seeps out slowly. This method is very effective because it places the water at the soil level. Evaporation is eliminated, the root zone is soaked and the foliage stays dry. Besides drought, the other major threat to your garden in the summer is pests. Fortunately, there are several ways to control any pests you may find. First, inspect your garden as often as you can to control populations and minimize damage as early as possible. Be sure to identify the bug you think may be a pest. Only about three percent of bugs and insects are considered pests. The others are beneficials (good for the garden) or neutral. Whenever possible, handpick any pests you can. Dropping the offenders into a cup of soapy water will finish the job. This works well for most pests including squash bugs, potato beetles, and cutworms. In my opinion, the second line of defense in pest control is to use the least-toxic methods available. This includes organic controls such as B.T or Bacillus thuringiensis. B.T is a bacteria that when ingested, paralyzes the digestive tract of certain insect larvae. B.T products are pest specific, so they don’t harm beneficial insects, and they are non-toxic to mammals. Next in your arsenal of pest defenses should be insecticidal or horticultural oils. These products are derived from plant and petroleum oils, which kill eggs and immature stages of insects by blocking their supply of oxygen. Don’t apply these products to plants during times when temperatures are below 40 or above 85 degrees or when plants are under stress. Applications at these times can damage the plants. Insecticidal soaps are another good choice, comprised mostly of fatty acids. These products act on contact by paralyzing the insects and work well for pests such as aphids, whiteflies and spider mites. The best time to apply insecticides is in the evening. At this time, most pollinating insects have retired for the night, and pollen-filled flowers have closed until morning. By then, much of the toxicity has broken down, and exposure to beneficials will be greatly reduced. Do not apply non-selective pesticides in the morning as this would certainly wipe out many lady beetles, soldier bugs and pollinating insects such as honey and bumblebees. Summer is a great time to garden. Remember, knowledge is power. The more you know about gardening, the more confidence you’ll have to accept and welcome the challenges you’ll face.

Help your garden make the most of summer's heat

Help your garden make the most of summer's heat

America's most popular home crops including tomatoes, corn, peppers, squash, melons, and beans demand the heat of the summer to produce their fruit. To get the most productive output from your garden during these months, you'll want to be vigilant about a few things. First, make sure your plants are getting adequate water. Most plants need 1 to 1 1/2 inches each week. Soaker hoses are a great way to deliver this water to the plant through drip irrigation as the water seeps out slowly. This method is very effective because it places the water at the soil level. Evaporation is eliminated, the root zone is soaked, and the foliage stays dry. Besides drought, the other major threat to your garden in the summer is pests. Fortunately, there are several ways to control any pests you may find. First, inspect your garden as often as you can to control populations and minimize damage as early as possible. Be sure to identify the bug you think may be a pest. Only about three percent of bugs and insects are considered pests. The others are beneficials (good for the garden) or neutral. Whenever possible, handpick any pests you can. Dropping the offenders into a cup of soapy water will finish the job. This works well for most pests including squash bugs, potato beetles, and cutworms. In my opinion, the second line of defense in pest control is to use the least toxic methods available. This includes organic controls like B.T or Bacillus thuringiensis. B.T is a bacteria that when ingested, paralyzes the digestive tract of certain insect larvae. B.T products are pest specific, so they don't harm beneficial insects, and they are non-toxic to mammals. Next in your arsenal of pest defenses should be Insecticidal or Horticultural Oils. These products are derived from plant and petroleum oils, which kill eggs and immature stages of insects by blocking their supply of oxygen. Don't apply these products to plants during times when temperatures are below 40 or above 85 degrees or when plants are under stress. Applications at these times can damage the plants. Insecticidal Soaps are another good choice, comprised mostly of fatty acids. These products act on contact by paralyzing the insects and work well for pests such as aphids, and whiteflies, and spider mites. Lastly would be the use of synthetic insecticides. These are the very effective manmade chemicals you buy in garden centers and go by many different names. Most of these products are nonselective meaning they kill any insect they come in contact with, bad or beneficial. They can also be highly toxic to humans and other animals. If you choose to use these in your garden, be sure to always read and follow the label instructions. The best time to apply insecticides is in the evening. At this time, most pollinating insects have retired for the night, and pollen-filled flowers have closed until morning. By then, much of the toxicity has broken down, and exposure to beneficials will be greatly reduced. Do not apply non-selective pesticides in the morning as this would certainly wipe out many lady beetles, soldier bugs and pollinating insects such as honey and bumble bees. Summer is a great time to garden. Remember, knowledge is power. The more you know about gardening, the more confidence you'll have to accept and welcome the challenges you'll face.

Compost and Leaf Mold

Compost and Leaf Mold

All soils benefit from the addition of homemade garden compost and leaf mold - add them when you are digging or planting or use them as a mulch. Both are easy to make and they don't cost a thing.

You will need something to contain the compost heap - either a commercial bin or a homemade one, such as a timber or wire-netting enclosure. Compost bins also are easily constructed from spare timber.

Almost any garden and kitchen waste can be turned into good compost if properly mixed. However, you should never add meat or fat - you will only attract rats and other vermin.

One of the secrets of ensuring rapid decomposition is not to allow large quantities of one particular material to build up in the heap.

Leave of deciduous trees and shrubs can be composted on their own to make leaf mold, which is rich in plant foods, especially nitrogen. A fast, space-saving alternative is to pack the leaves in black polyethylene bags that have been perforated to allow in air. Tied at the top and kept in an out-of the way corner of the garden, the sacks will form good leaf mold that can be used the following spring. Leaves that are kept in open bins may take longer to decay.

Composting

Water district suggests even, odd watering daysOregonLive.com - Portland,OR,USA... Aerating the lawn is recommended once a year. Use composting or other soil amendments to improve water absorption and water-holding capacity.

Composting

Boil water to foil weeds

Tips on killing weeds the organic way.

1. You don't need to use chemicals and expensive weedkillers. Pour boiling water on weeds growing in the creacks of your cememt or flagstone walks. It will kill the existing weeds, as well as the seeds waiting to grow.

2. Use vinegar and salt, pur in a spray bottle, and spray directly on weeds. Becareful not to get on your flowers.

3. Baking soda used directly on crabgrass, but avoid getting it on the surrounding lawn. Works best in warm climates where warm-weather grasses, like St. Augustine, Bermuda, and Bahiagrass, flourish.

Happy gardening

Five Tips on Composting

Five Tips on Composting

The great thing about composting is that you can throw a bunch of leaf clippings, food scraps, and dried leaves into a pile and they will decompose into crumbly, nutrient-rich compost for your garden. Depending on the size of your compost pile, what you put in it, and how you tend to it, this process can take 3 months to 2 years. If you want to get compost in a hurry, there are a few things you can do to speed the process along...more Five Tips on Composting