Organic Gardening

Are you interesting in growing your garden but keeping it organic?  Some people are not sure what “organic” actually means and how to accomplish that.  Today I’ll give you just a little bit of information on how to achieve an organic garden!

Organic gardening or horticulture is the science and art of growing fruits, vegetables, flowers, or ornamental plants by following the essential principles of organic agriculture in soil building and conservation, pest management, and heirloom variety preservation.  This simply means mulches, cover crops, compost, manures, vermicompost, and mineral supplements are soil-building mainstays that distinguish this type of farming from its commercial counterpart.  You are simply gardening for the environment, not against it.

The key to organic gardening is keeping the soil healthy and rich.  Pesticides are not utilized in this form of gardening and that should always be kept in mind. Organic horticulture (or organic gardening) is based on knowledge and techniques gathered over thousands of years. In general terms, organic horticulture involves natural processes, often taking place over extended periods of time, and a sustainable, holistic approach – while chemical-based horticulture focuses on immediate, isolated effects and reductionist strategies.

Related posts:

1. Organic gardening: How to grow an organic vegetable garden Have you ever noticed how expensive organic fruits and vegetables...
2. Organic gardening: How to grow an organic vegetable garden I love organic veggies and with Spring right around the...
3. Tips on Vertical Gardening Vertical gardening is the perfect answer to growing vining crops....

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Organic Gardening

Have you ever noticed how expensive organic fruits and vegetables is at the grocery store? I already spend way too much when I go to Whole Foods, but if I go with the organic selections I really break the bank.

I love the idea of eating organic, but not paying the price. I have thought about starting an organic garden and I cannot think of a better time! This video is great for giving tips and instructions on how to start your very own organic garden.

As I live in a very sunny climate, with a lot of sunlight, it is the perfect conditions for growing an organic garden. I also love that they mention to start “SMALL”. I think that is the key, and to not be to over zealous at the beginning. This is exciting! I can already taste the fresh organic veggies – now, I’m getting hungry!

Related posts:

1. Organic gardening: How to grow an organic vegetable garden I love organic veggies and with Spring right around the...
2. Gardening Tips – Tomato Plants I have had the worst luck growing tomatoes. Perhaps, it...
3. Herb Gardening – Perfect For Those Who Don’t Like to Garden! A couple years ago I started my herb garden with...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Organic Gardens = Delicious!

I love organic veggies and with Spring right around the corner – errr, well at least in the future – I’m thinking about growing my own organic garden this year!  I found this video online that gives some tips and steps in making that happen.  Have you grown an organic garden?  What tips do you have?

Related posts:

1. Herb Gardening – Perfect For Those Who Don’t Like to Garden! A couple years ago I started my herb garden with...
2. Extreme gardening: What to do when the weather doesn’t favor you (ARA) – “The month of June, it is well if...
3. Portland Japanese Garden This summer my  husband and I visited Portland, Oregon.  We...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

More and more people want to live a "green" lifestyle, and you can't get more local than picking vegetables right in your back yard.

Gardening is becoming more popular than ever, thanks to a number of converging circumstances, including the First Lady’s planting of a White House organic garden. Because of the sagging economy, people want to save money anywhere they can, and vegetable gardening is a great way to save money on foods that can be costly. Additionally, more and more people want to live a “green” lifestyle, and you can’t get more local than picking vegetables right in your back yard. Plus, when you start an organic garden, it’s even more environmentally friendly.

When you start on your way to growing healthy garden fruits and vegetables, keep in mind that tending an organic garden has special requirements and poses some different challenges than conventional gardens do. However, the increased popularity of organic gardening has led to some great innovative products that can help you maintain your plot without adding harmful chemicals.

Whether you live within city limits or in a more bucolic setting, it’s always fun to see wildlife – just not when they’re munching on your zucchini or stealing your strawberries. For most organic gardeners, the goal is to get rid of overly curious garden guests, but without forcing them to ingest poisons or other chemicals that can hurt them.

One of the most trusted ways to keep a strictly organic garden free from unwelcome animal browsers is with the Swedish-developed, garden pest repellent Plantskydd (pronounced “plant-skid” – a Swedish word meaning “plant-protection”). Sweden’s reputation as a rigorously green-minded country comes through in these non-toxic repellents, which were the first deer and rabbit repellents to be listed by the USDA-approved Organic Material Review Institute (OMRI), as “suitable for use in the production of food and fiber.” Plantskydd’s 100 percent organic ingredients make it safe to use around pets and children, but it’s also effective in that it won’t wash away in the rain, giving your garden longer-lasting protection.

Claude Boisvert, president of Tree World Plant Care Products, Inc., says Plantskydd does double duty as a garden pest repellent and fertilizer. “Because it’s a blood meal-derived product, it provides the nutrients necessary for plants to grow strong and produce abundantly, in addition to repelling garden pests like deer and rabbits,” Boisvert says. “It’s been lauded for its repelling effectiveness by forestry experts, the National Home Gardening Club, as well as soil and water conservation districts throughout the United States.”

Other ways to protect your garden include putting netting over the plants that birds, rabbits and other critters favor. Look for netting with small holes that you can spread over strawberry patches, or wire that you can circle around delicate vegetables.

When selecting solutions for feeding or protecting your garden, be sure to do your research and find out the true certification status of products you buy. As the move toward growing one’s own organic food becomes mainstream, some repellent manufacturers, who use non-certified ingredients, use terms such as “all natural,” or “environment friendly” on package labels in an attempt to associate their products with this “organic” trend. OMRI continues to be a good resource for learning about which products are truly safe and organic.

If you’re concerned about your family’s health and that of the planet, planting an organic garden is the way to go. You’ll not only be able to harvest delicious, nutritive foods right in your backyard, but you’ll also be doing your part to foster a healthier environment.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

For an eco-friendly garden try adding Star Roses' Pink Double Knock Out.

(ARA) – Americans craving authenticity and fretting over a bleak economy have reinvigorated the trend to grow-it-yourself (GIY). From blueberries to houseplants, GIY is the new mantra as folks turn “back to the future” to simplify their lives while gardening for the greener good.

“It’s a resurgence of gardening for the greater good — for the earth and our wallets,” says Susan McCoy, trend spotter and president of the Garden Media Group (GMG). “The most exciting movement seems to be that gardening is popular again, particularly among younger homeowners,” she adds.

GMG’s gardening trends for 2009 reveal a resurgence in perennials, growing native plants, creating “blended” gardens using vegetables and herbs in flower beds, cultivating with best practices, planting to attract wildlife and going local.

“The urgent commitment to environmental sustainability and the basic desire to make our homes our havens is reflected in all gardening trends for 2009,” predicts McCoy.

What’s in: Eco-boosting
What’s out: Conspicuous consumption

Support sustainable practices with Organic Mechanics potting soil.

One simple way to be an eco-booster is to create natural habitats for wildlife with native plants that attract birds, bees and butterflies. Look for eco-friendly plants like the line of native plants from American Beauties (www.ABNativeplants.com) or the Knock Out family of roses (www.TheKnockoutRose.com), which are drought- and disease-resistant, and require little care or chemicals. Go organic with peat-free soil from The Organic Mechanics Soil Company (www.OrganicMechanicSoil.com) that supports sustainable practices and feeds plants from the soil up.

What’s in: Grow-it-Yourself (GIY)
What’s out: Having someone do it all for you

Add interest to your garden with "Pink Lemonade," the first-ever pink blueberry from Briggs Nursery.

Tranquil moments may be few but the recent rise in gardening reconnects us with nature, family and friends as we share our bounty. With the increase in demand for year-round fresh fruits and vegetables, local farmers markets are seeing an upsurge in business, community gardens have waiting lists, and plant swaps are on the rise.

What’s in: Blended gardens
What’s out: Segregated gardens
Plant mint and fragrant thyme varietals in between cracks of stone pathways and grow strawberries for a delightful edible groundcover around trees. Fruit-bearing shrubs and trees provide color, privacy and fruitful bounty mingling among veggies and perennials. Garden centers are reporting an increase in demand for fruit-bearing shrubs like blueberries and raspberries as ornamentals. Briggs Nursery (www.BriggsNursery.com) is introducing the first-ever pink blueberry, “Pink Lemonade.”

Bees swarm to Solidago 'Fireworks' from American Beauties native plants.

What’s in: Locavore
What’s out: Big carbon footprint
Buying local is all the rage. Gardeners are aware of their role as naturalists and conservationists, and are looking for native plants that thrive in their own backyards. “Native plant cultivars are selected to perform better in specific areas under local conditions,” says Steve Castorani, from American Beauties Native Plants. “When you select a plant that is native to the local area, it will thrive with little to no water, fertilizer or effort.”

What’s in: Water
What’s out: Water
For the first time, water is in and out. Whether bringing in fountains, endless waterfalls, or fish ponds, the soothing sounds of water can turn any backyard into a private oasis. Costa Farms (www.CostaFarms.com) offers plants that drink responsibly like succulents, cactus, yucca and ferns, which are easy, conserve water, and add sizzle to your landscape. The Knock Out family of roses, from bright red to sunny yellow, is drought-resistant.

Bring sight and sound into your garden with Campania's Portico wall fountain.

“Water features such as fountains are showing up not only in the garden but on tabletops, and sometimes more than one in the garden,” says Jon Carloftis, a renowned garden designer. He likes the classic and contemporary options from Campania International (www.CampaniaInternational.com) to bring the sight and sound of water into gardens without a lot of fuss or maintenance.

What’s in: Outside inside
What’s out: Outside only
From bean sprouts on kitchen countertops to green walls laden with herbs and micro-greens, plants are decorating spaces as “art- in-motion.” Tropical plants like bromeliads and orchids create instant beauty and give a boost of oxygen and clean the air.

“It’s easy to expand your home’s boundaries and add indoor charm to your patio, deck and garden using great indoor plants like ferns and palms. And ornamentals continue to be fashionistas beautifying containers, landscapes, mixed or mass planted,” McCoy adds.

What’s in: Info lust
What’s out: Lack of knowledge
Lack of time and knowledge have been primary reasons people hesitate to garden. Not anymore. Novices and experienced gardeners hungry for inspiration, information, and instruction are packing master garden classes for instruction and gardening “how-to” tips. Gardeners are gobbling up information from friends, classes and workshops, local garden media, magazines, and the Internet and sharing their success stories with bloggers and friends

What’s in: Quick and simple
What’s out: Over-the-top and complicated
As time-starved consumers try to juggle busy schedules most seek quick and simple solutions to meet their gardening needs. Containers are no longer a trend but a garden staple in large and small spaces.

Select natural materials like cast stone and terra cotta containers and accessories that are perfect eco-friendly accents. “Big and bold is ‘in’ and square is the new round,” says Peter Cilio, creative director for Campania International.

What’s in: Global colors
What’s out: Safe colors
The 2009 color forecasters predict a funky mix of colors that reflect a jambalaya of world cultures. Today’s main color influencers are our global connectivity, cultural unity, and environmental responsibility.

Sun Parasol Pretty Crimson on trellis.

“Colors are bold, crazy, exaggerated, and in-your-face, almost like pop-art, and reflect a playful spirit in the face of world events,” says Donna Dorian, former style editor of Garden Design Magazine.

Be uber-trendy with anything red this spring from the Carefree Spirit shrub rose and true red rhododendron “Trocadero” to tropical red Sun Parasol Crimson mandevilla.

What’s in: Worldly
What’s out: Cookie-cutter
Americans have embraced the world bazaar of vibrant colors, textures, sights and sounds. Asian, African, Indian, and Mid-Eastern influences are showing up in patterns, textures and colors.

“As we travel more, we tend to bring more of our memories home — creating escapist retreats,” says John Kinsella, brand director for terrain (www.terrainathome.com).

For a complete look at the GMG 2009 Garden Trends, visit www.GardenMediaGroup.com or subscribe to www.GardenPlot.Blogspot.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

I am always promoting the need for backyard habitats.  Inviting animals into yard not only provides you with many picturesque scenes but it also provides you with a biological pest control.  In this article, I am going to look at ways to invite animals into your yard and the benefits that those animals will bring.

The Bat Box

Okay, I’m just going to start with this right away.  When most people think of bats, they often think about how icky they can be, yes I said icky.  Now, I’m not a big fan of bats in my house, of which I just had to dispose of two in my basement, but I am a big fan of bats in my backyard.

You may not realize it but bats in your backyard are a valuable pest control that will ensure that your garden is free of many pests like aphids, craneflies and cutworm moths.  In addition, bats will remove most of the mosquitoes in your backyard, which leaves you to enjoy your evenings outside.

When you make a bat box, you want to mount it on a high post at the farthest corner of your yard.  Make sure that it is away from high traffic areas and also away from running water.  Once it is up, all you have to do is sit back and wait.  Eventually a bat will find it and set up shop and once you have one, it won’t be long before you have a colony munching up those pests in your backyard.

The Bird House

Everyone loves having birds in their backyard and they have become the eternal symbol of a peaceful garden.  It is important to invite birds into your garden by using plants that provide habitats and by also adding a few man-made bird houses in the yard.  Make sure that when you set up bird houses that you keep them out of the reach of any maraudering cats, whether you own a cat or not.  Also make sure that you provide them with a few bird feeders and a bird bath to draw a variety of birds into your yard.

Birds, like bats, enjoy eating aphids and they will also help out by picking off grubs, slugs, snails and caterpillars.

The Backyard Pond

Not everyone is going to have a backyard pond but if you have a space for a pond and wouldn’t mind having one, then this is a great feature for any garden. Although it may not seem like it, a backyard pond can be a wonderful habitat for a variety of animals that will enjoy riding your garden of small bugs.  Most backyard ponds can become an oasis for frogs, toads and other lizards, which will feed on slugs and other garden pests.

The last point that I want to mention when I discuss biological pest controls is to allow other creepy crawlies to reside in your yard.  Spiders are an excellent creature to have in your yard and if you see a spider or a spiderweb in an area where it does not interfere with you don’t destroy it, so for instance a spider web across your patio set would have to go.  Another great insect to have in your yard are wasps, although most people don’t feel that way.  Again, if you see a wasp, let it be unless it has a nest where it would interfere with you.

Lastly, and I hate to say this because I hate, and I mean hate, them, is to let any centipedes go when you see them in your garden. They are great little helpers and will eat a variety of insects and beetles that are eating all of your plants.

Once you have all these little oasis’s in your backyard, you will find that you will have many backyard helpers that are more than happy to rid your garden of damaging insects.

Sirena Van Schaik

Garden Photo Credit

Bat Photo Credit

Bird Photo Credit

Pond Photo Credit

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

For example, ladybeetles are among the most beneficial insects for controlling harmful insect populations. Ladybeetles can be purchased, or you can attract ladybeetles to your garden by providing a food source of pollen or nectar for them.

Special lures can encourage the presence of other beneficial insects, such as bees, soldier beetles and parasitic wasps. These are available at garden centres, or ask about suppliers in your area.

Consider placing bird and bat houses, bird feeders and toad houses in your garden, which provide a welcome greeting for these insect-feeding predators. Planting ornamentals, such as butterfly bushes, and installing butterfly shelters will also attract pollinating butterflies to your garden.

For further information, see www.ontario.ca/greenthumb

- News Canada

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Often, a few simple changes can help your lawn and garden grow beautifully, without pesticides. Here are a few tips from Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment.

Healthy soil is the first step to making your garden grow. Adding compost to your soil, mulching garden beds and fertilizing your lawn in the fall with natural or organic fertilizers will help balance your soil’s PH.

Take an inventory and assess what should go where. Choose plants that work with the soil, light and drainage conditions.

Check out native species. These plants will be better adapted to the climate and soil conditions and less prone to disease.

Try planting a xeriscape or “dry” garden. There is a great variety of drought resistant plants available that require very little water.

Use ground cover plants in areas where grass doesn’t grow well, such as under maple or conifer trees.

Proper watering, aerating, mulching and leaving grass clippings on can help your lawn remain healthy and pest-free without chemicals.

Visit your local garden centre or check out the many gardening websites for tips and advice on natural gardening and lawn care.

- News Canada

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Garden beds:

• Apply a three to four inch layer of mulch around your perennial plants, careful to leave a hollow at the base. Use fallen leaves as a handy mulch.

• Divide and move plants to thin them out.

• Remove old or diseased plants.

• Leave seed heads for winter interest and to feed the birds.

Lawns:

• Raise your mower height to three inches. Longer grass shades weed seeds and keeps them from sprouting and provides protection for the turf during the winter. Leave the clippings on the grass for extra nitrogen.

• Fertilize with compost or organic fertilizers.

• Aerate soil and leave the plugs on the lawn.

• Overseed your lawn — a blend of grasses will make it hardier.

Trees and Shrubs

• Remove old or diseased branches or broken limbs.

• Add mulch (fallen leaves work well) around the drip line but not up against the trunk.

• Water newly planted trees and shrubs, especially evergreens, if there is no snow or rain.

- News Canada

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Tip: Discover the magic of mulching. A thick layer of mulch not only keeps weeds down, it retains moisture and adds nutrients as it slowly decomposes.

Come Spring 2009, cosmetic-use pesticides will be banned for sale or use on Ontario’s lawns and gardens. So, what do you do to ensure you aren’t overtaken by pesky weeds and insects? There are some good choices that can help you keep your garden green without harming the environment. Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment offers these tips for pesticide-free lawn and garden care.

Feed your soil. Healthy soil is the key to hardy, pest-free plants. Spread compost on your garden beds and use natural, organic fertilizer on your lawn in the fall.

Discover the magic of mulching. A thick layer of mulch not only keeps weeds down, it retains moisture and adds nutrients as it slowly decomposes. There are a variety of mulches you can use; from bark to wood chips, pine cones and leaves.

Combat weeds the natural way. Use a weed fork to pluck weeds as they appear, or pour boiling water on individual weeds before they seed. If your lawn is heavily infested with weeds or grubs, consider covering the whole area under a thick layer of mulch for the summer and reseed in the fall.

Choose native plants. Native species are better adapted to local climate and soil conditions and they’ll need less coddling to do well in your garden.

- News Canada

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.