Soil Preparation for Organic Gardening

To practice organic gardening methods it is important to start with the soil. It is possible to make your garden rich in nutrients by simply added organic compounds. These are all natural and will not harm the environment in any way.

Testing your soil

You can have an analysis done for your garden soil by your local agricultural department. They will recommend what your soil needs and also tell you if your soil is too acid or alkaline. Plants like a neutral or slightly acidic soil. To make your soil slightly acid you can add leaf mould. If your soil is too acid, you can add some lime.

Plants need nutrients in order to grow. The three main requirements are: potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen.

There are four different organic fertilizers

1. Rock fertilizers

Examples of these are potassium sulphate (potassium), lime, green sand. You can put these rock fertilizers on the ground in autumn and the ground will be ready for your spring planting. These you only have to apply every 1 to 2 years. They are slow releasing and will keep on fertilizing your plants naturally and gently.

2. Animal fertilizers

Manure (nitrogen and other nutrients), blood meal (nitrogen) and bone meal (phosphorus). Be careful not to use fresh manure on your plants as it can burn them. A good way to solve this problem is to apply manure to your garden in autumn and let it over winter. By the time you are ready to plant in spring the manure will have matured and aged so that it will not harm your plants.

3. Made ups of decomposed material

There are many examples of these. The common examples are: compost, leaf mould, grass clippings and shredded leaves. They give a good overall blend of nutrients that plants need. They can be spread over the ground in autumn or in spring, before you plant.

4. Cover crops

These include clover, soybeans, buckwheat and alpha. These crops will add nitrogen to the soil and buckwheat will add phosphorus. These crops are ploughed in to the soil when you are ready to plant. They improve the tilth of the soil and also add nutrients as they decay.

These cover crops can be grown in winter in milder areas or in autumn or early spring, depending on the length of the growing season. You can also use these crops like soybeans as rotation crops. One year you can grow these crops in one area and the next year grow some vegetables or flowers in the same area.

Improving your soil

You can use hay mulch and let it rot down over the season. This will improve the tilth or texture of your soil and add nutrients to it. By the time you are ready to plant in springtime you will have rich loam that will give your plants a good start.

Make sure seedbeds are smooth and free from large clods that can prevent seedlings from pushing their way to the surface. Try to remove as many stones from your soil as possible. You can utilize these by making an English rockery.

Three different types of soils

1. Sandy soil

This soil is very light and has excessive drainage. This means that it dries out easily and nutrients will leach out of it quickly. Adding organic matter like rotted down leaves, grass clippings and straw will help to give more substance to this soil. It is wise to shred the leaves before you add them to the soil. Adding compost will also help this type of soil.

2. Clay

Clay is a very heavy type of soil and is the opposite of sand. It can often retain too much moisture and allow less oxygen to the plants, which will result in poor root systems. You can add sand to make it lighter and also organic matter.

3. Loam

This is the ideal soil and is good for all plants.

The next step towards successful organic gardening will be making good organic compost.

Gardening is the most rewarding hobby you can ever get your hands on.

It of course requires work and some basic knowledge, but it is achievable.

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It might be the beginning of a love story. You’ll never know!!!

Planning Your Organic Garden

Planning is very important to the success of your organic garden. When you plan ahead you can utilize space properly. It will help you to decide what plants to grow and where to put them.

Remember to make a list of vegetables that you and your family like, before planning. Take into account your local climate and soil. Make a choice of whether you will plant out seeds or transplants. This will depend on the length of your season and what you are growing. Some plants are more successful with seeds and others are better grown from transplants.

There are several reasons that you should plan ahead when gardening.

How much space do you have?

When you have a plan laid out for your garden you can then use all the space that you have available. You will need to have a rough measurement of your garden so that you will know how many plants you can fit it.

Which way is your garden facing?

How much sunlight your garden will have is very important. Most vegetables will need at least six hours of sunlight to grow well. You should have a garden facing south or southwest to accommodate this. In areas where you have very strong sunlight and heat in summer you can have a garden facing east, so that your plants will not have the searing heat and sun after 12 noon.

Size of plants

The size of the plants will make a difference to the number of plants you can fit into your garden. If you have limited space it is wise to stake plants and let them grow upwards rather than sprawl on the ground. This will save you a lot of space. Make sure you stake them early and give strong supports.

How high will they grow?

This is important to estimate, as you want to position your plants so the tall ones will not shade the smaller ones. Positioning of the sun will be an important factor in this decision.

However you should also utilize tall plants to shade those that don’t like too much heat and direct summer sun. For instance tall plants like corn will shade vegetables like lettuce.

Utilize fences and walls of buildings if possible. These are useful for attaching trellises; these can look quite decorative and enhance your house or garage. Some plants climb quite high and do well on fences, especially metal mesh ones, as these allow the tendrils to attach themselves.

Companion gardening

One of the key points of organic gardening is letting plants grow naturally as nature intended. Companion gardening is planting different plants together so that they will help each other grow. Be careful to have a chart for this as some plants will grow well together and others don’t like each other. For example peas and spinach do well together as do beetroot and onions but cucumbers don’t do well with onions.

Draw a couple of diagrams and decide which one you want to try. Draw more than one plan so that you can give yourself a choice. You can try different shapes for your garden beds. The common ones are rectangle, square and circular. Sometimes it is better to see your plan on paper, as it will help you visualize it better. Graph paper can be useful as you will be able to gage the measurements of your garden better.

Be extra careful when planning an orchard, as it is hard to gage the height of a full-grown tree. You can get miniature trees to accommodate smaller gardens. Types of fruit trees will depend on weather conditions in your area. However you can also get around adverse weather problems by planting fruits in containers.

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Starting with Organic Gardening

What exactly is Organic Gardening? 

Organic gardening is a method of gardening without using any harmful chemicals. It is completely natural and works closely with nature. Organic produce tastes superior and is much better for you. There are many advantages when you practice organic gardening methods. 

Health 

Your health will be better without chemicals in your food. Organic food is chemical free and this means that there are less toxins being produced in your body. Toxins from artificial fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides accumulate in the produce we eat. These toxins can cause us serious health problems. Our bodies can only get rid of a limited amount of poisons and toxins, but with the constant ingestion of these chemicals our bodies are on overload. This leads to the deterioration of our whole system and problems with our health.

Environment

Organic gardening and farming practices will mean there is less pollution of the soil, water and air. This results in a better environment for people, birds, fish and animals to enjoy. In turn this will help us live better. Without all the chemicals from artificial fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, the ecology of earth will have a better chance of survival.

Healthier Plants – Fewer Problems

Gardening is easier when you use organic gardening and farming methods. Plants will grow stronger and healthier. Although chemically grown plants look bigger and better they are not really. They have less nutrition and more toxins from the accumulation of the chemicals in them. Added to this they are more vulnerable to insect attacks. With organic gardening the plants are healthier and more able to fight off disease and survive insect attacks.

Ecology

Organic gardening will preserve the ecology in your garden. Chemical pesticides and herbicides will kill the beneficial plants and natural insect predators in your garden. Everything has a fine balance in nature. Putting chemicals on your garden will not help your plants but will make them more vulnerable to attack from pests and disease.

Cost of gardening the organic way

Despite the fact that organic produce is sold at vastly inflated prices, in actual fact organic gardening is a cheaper way to garden. You will not have to spend money on expensive chemicals for your garden. Homemade bug spray and insect repellent plants are far cheaper to implement.

Organic fertilizers are cheaper in the long run as they are slow to release nutrients to the soil and you do not need so much. They will also not deteriorate the quality of the earth; on the contrary they will improve it over time.

Also mulching with organic mulches will eliminate the need for weed killers and also save you money on water bills. You will save your time and your back, when you do not have to weed your garden.

What about the Lawn?

Your grass will be healthier and be able to withstand insect and weed attacks, eliminating the need for chemical applications.

If I would’ve been able to plant a little seed to go for organic gardening you will find all you need for planning a garden, gardening, about garden power tools, and also very important, about relaxation in your backyard after a busy working day (in the garden or at work) including a proper barbecue at

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Organic Gardening is helping the Environment

In many ways organic gardening helps the environment. It starts with the soil and affects the entire cycle of life. There is no part of the environment that organic gardening does not affect.

There is a hidden ecology below the surface of the ground that helps plants grow naturally. Bacteria, earthworms, and decomposed plant debris all work together to form a nutritious growing media for your plants.

It all begins with the soil: when chemical fertilizers and pesticides are used for farming and gardening, the chemicals seep into the ground. This destroys the natural life cycle in the soil. By doing this, bacteria in the soil, which makes nitrogen, are destroyed. Nitrogen is one of the key nutrients for healthy plants to grow. Added to this earthworms are also destroyed. They are the natural ‘tillers’ of the soil. In that these small creatures will help to aerate the soil. All plants need oxygen in the soil for healthy root systems. Earthworms will also help break down the nutrients in the soil so that plants can easily use them.

With the seepage of these chemicals our water gets polluted. These chemicals can be harmful to us and have been proven to be contributors to the rise in cancer. There are also many other latent problems that polluted water will cause. Added to this there is a build up chemicals in the produce we eat, which also affects our health. Water is the very key to our existence and if it is polluted with these chemicals we are setting ourselves up for serious health problems when we drink it. It is also contributing to the death and deterioration of our fish, which is a vital source of food to many.

The plants may look healthy from the outside but in fact they are not. The nutrition quality is less in plants grown with chemicals. The substances from the artificial fertilizers and pesticides accumulate in the produce and we in turn end up ingesting them. Birds and animals in turn eat these plants and will also be absorbing all these chemicals. In fact there is no creature on earth that cannot be affected by this pollution. It is not only artificial fertilizers but also herbicides, and pesticides.

Many of these chemicals are sprayed from the air for quicker application and this ends up polluting the air we breathe. Oxygen is another vital key to life and when this becomes adulterated with all these substances it is another serious threat to our health.

With all these factors polluting the environment it is small wonder that we have so many underlying diseases and are facing so many health problems today. When you use organic gardening methods you will help the world become a better place.

With organic gardening you can enjoy a beautiful garden and delicious organic fruits and vegetables from your very own garden.

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Good Garden Design Starts With Thinking before Digging

Garden design takes time. It is too late to plan your garden when you are standing in the nursery eying every new plant that tempts you. Spent some time looking at your garden site, either during the off season, when you can really view it objectively or during the growing season, when your successes and failures make themselves known.

Once you have an idea of how you are going to use your garden, come back to reality and take an objective look at the site before you come up with your garden design. This is of utmost importance in determining which plants and trees you use to achieve the desired effect. 

Monitor it during different times of the day and year 

-      How many hours of sun does the site receive?

-      What times of day is it sunny?

-      Does sun exposure change with the seasons?

-      Do trees allow sun in the spring and shade during summer?

-      How about the soil as far as pH and texture?

-      Are there structures or large trees that will affect plant growth and selection?

-      Are there structures nearby that you would like to camouflage?

-      What plants are already growing there? 

You know what you want to use your garden for, what you are working with and what resources you can devote to it.

Now, what do you want it to look like?

-      Formal or informal?

-      Wild?

-      Should it complement your house?

-      Do you want it to flow with the natural landscape?

-      Do you favour soft pastels or bold tropicals?

All these things might seem overwhelming, but you will be saving yourself a lot of time and a considerable amount of money if you take this advice and you will find that each step gets easier and more fun.

Plant selection should be one of the last things you consider, or you may be overwhelmed trying to create a garden design to accommodate the dozens or even hundreds of plants you crave.

Get to know your planting zone

Before you buy that first plant, you have to know what your planting zone is. Without that knowledge, you can end up ordering all sorts of wonderful looking plants and shrubs only to find that they are not suitable for your planting zone and they will die. You will have spent time and money needlessly.

You can contact your local garden clubs with your questions regarding the suitability and care of plants for your particular area. This knowledge is of critical importance, particularly if you have moved from one zone to another. Not only will you save money, but you will avoid countless hours of frustrating work in your garden.

Keep in mind what your garden will be used for and when. This is important in your plant consideration. If you plan to entertain a lot and don’t want to spend all summer on chores, look for lower maintenance plants that don’t require constant deadheading and staking to look good and, if you are planting for small children, choose plants that will bloom at their eye level, with interesting textures and scents and non-poisonous flowers and seeds.

Make a list of the plants you like and group them by colour, texture and form – design triumvirate of the garden. Also chart them by season of bloom and/or interest. Consider both flowers and foliage. There are more and more plants being bred with colourful foliage that will provide interest in the garden all season.

Be sure to include some large anchor plants that will look good all year. These are usually shrubs and often evergreens. Most small to average gardens can only accommodate one or two trees or shrubs, but they are important for providing the good bones of the garden and you want to choose wisely at the beginning. Trees and shrubs can be very difficult and heavy to move around.

Plant bulbs to add beauty

 

A wonderful way to use bulbs effectively is to naturalize daffodils in a wooded area or group them for colourful accent around evergreen shrubs.

Plan ahead when planting bulbs; i.e., for spring flowering you plant in autumn. Follow directions accompanying your bulbs regarding depth (usually six inches) and fertilizer (there are special bulb fertilizers that should be put in the planting holes). An important reminder: again, know your planting zone before ordering any bulbs. They all look so beautiful on pictures and packages, but what grows well in one zone, might not grow so well in another zone.

There are also special tools available for planting bulbs that make digging holes so much easier than using a simple trowel.

I hope you get a vision for your special garden design and wishing you happy planning and planting!

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Home, Garden and Lawn (Mind, Body and Spirit)

There are many ways to make your house (your mind) and lawn turn into a home. Every bit of careful touch you add will help your space feel more personal and inviting for your friends and family. One of the favourite ways to improve the look and feel of a home is through garden plants. 

I love to encourage my friends to invest in some great garden plants when they are at work creating a lawn or renovating their lawn. I love garden plants for so many reasons, but the obvious reason is that they are beautiful. There is nothing better than spending time in a home and a yard that is filled with uniqueness and beauty. Planting a wide variety of garden plants is a great way to add much needed beauty to the outside of a home. Even the most beautiful homes can look mediocre when there isn’t a great lawn and garden to accompany them. 

Another reason I encourage my friends to invest in garden plants for their home is that they will have a reason to get outside and work the land with their hands. I believe that people take much more pride in land that they have to work to cultivate. Our culture has lost something dear and precious since we stopped being a farming culture, and planting even the most simple arrangement of garden plants can be a great way to feel the pride of working the land again.

Having to spend time working with garden plants is also an easy and fun way to get outside and get some exercise. Far too many people are stuck in their homes watching television or reading, and just getting outside to tend garden plants can be a great way for them to get more active. 

If you’re looking to add garden plants to your lawn, then you grab a couple of easy to understand books on the topic and soak up all the knowledge you can about how to properly plant garden plants in your lawn. There is much to be learned about gardening, and taking time to get even the most basic knowledge will help you considerably when you are trying to plant the best garden plants for you. 

To see what garden plants will go great in your lawn and climate go to your local gardening shop. Get the appropriate books and then begin the fun work of planting and tending to the plants growth. 

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There should be nothing to interrupt your intension to get your garden, your body and your mind into the best lively state you can ever imagine.

Landscaping Includes Also Herb and Vegetable Gardens

Most people think of landscaping as rocks carefully placed, manicured lawns, and large trees scattered about a property. A garden can make a very attractive addition to any landscape. Whether it is an herb garden or whether it is a vegetable garden, these features can be just as beautiful as any other landscape element, and provide added benefits as well. Well maintained vegetable and herb gardens also provide other benefits: They are a source of food and can be a source of very pleasing smells. 

An herb garden is one of the most common types of edible landscape. This is because they are very easy to grow, very tolerant of a variety of climates and conditions, and because they grow rapidly. Additionally, herbs are more than just tasty. Many of them look very nice, with attractively shaped leaves and different shades of green that can add a subtle beauty to the landscape. But not only that, herbs often smell nice. They can surround your home with a pleasing perfume that exudes a true sense of ‘home’.

Many people plant parsley, rosemary, and thyme in their herb gardens, but there are other herbs that can be planted as well. Cilantro is a little milder than parsley, and it has a different look. Mint is another herb that many people do not think to plant, as is lavender. Both of these herbs look different, and they both give off very nice scents. Another herb with a very attractive smell is chamomile.

Even though some of these herbs may be less frequently used, it is possible to find plenty of recipes that use them, and lavender and chamomile are noted for their usefulness in providing an atmosphere of calm. Even the scents can be of use. Simply bring them into the house and enjoy the feelings that accompany the smell. 

Vegetable gardens are other edible landscaping devices that can look very attractive. They can be planted in a variety of climates, and can be grown in a variety of soils. There are some plants that grow only in certain regions, but your basic garden fare can be grown almost anywhere.

Just the look of green plants has been shown to be soothing, and when you grow your own food, it adds another dimension of satisfied feelings associated with self-confidence and accomplishment. Every vegetable has its own look to it, and so it is possible to enjoy a variety of different looks by carefully choosing the plants that you grow. However, you should choose, first and foremost, plants that you will eat. If you are not going to eat much squash, avoid planting it.

But there are plenty of vegetables that have very attractive looking plants and even flowers.

Peas have cute little flowers and send up beautiful curly vines. And there are many species of pepper that look beautiful after the fruit has arrived, with their yellows, greens and reds. 

When you use herb and vegetable gardens as part of the landscape, there is no need to plant them all together in one place. Spread them around the yard. Use tomato plants and squash plants can be used as accents (including pumpkins). 

Herbs make excellent ground cover. Most vegetables and herbs can be grown very successfully in containers. You can make a very attractive landscape design if you use flower boxes for your herbs, and if you use quaint old antique washtubs for things like beans. Pretty sticks can be decorated to emerge from decorative tins for your peas.

The great thing about growing vegetables and herb gardens as part of your landscape is the fact that they are edible. They do not cost very much to plant, and they can save you even more money down the road when you buy less produce at the grocery store. Additionally, if you have too much you can always bottle or freeze it for later.

Many people use the excess plants from their gardens as gifts to their neighbours or family members. There is no reason to relegate herb and vegetable gardens to some hidden corner of the property, or even to garden in a conventional way, with large plots. You can add distinction to your yard by using the unique and inexpensive method of landscaping with herbs and vegetables.

Garden work requires body work and to make this much easier take a look at “Garden Lover’s Paradise” for handy tools, seeds, and ideas to make your dream of your garden come true.

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