The Many Benefits of Composting!
February 17, 2009 by admin
Filed under Organic Fertillzers, Organic Gardening Tips
If you are someone who is looking for a chance to garden more responsibly as well as the opportunity to grow stunning produce, you’ll find that composting is something that you need to consider! Composting is essentially the use of decomposed organic matter to fertilized the soil, and you’ll find that this is something that is easy to add to a garden of any size. While you can of course have a compost pile in the garden, you can also have a smaller compost bin in the garage or sealed under the sink for a smaller garden. You’ll find that composting has many benefits, both to your own garden and that of the world at large.
Composting is a natural solution that looks to fight back against the problem of landfills. When so much waste can be returned to the soil and go on to enrich it, the act of putting organic matter in a landfill can be considered quite wasteful.
You’ll also find that when you compost, you are adding something back to the soil. When organic matter breaks down, it will release valuable nutrients and bacteria back into the soil. In this way, you can greatly enrich your gardening, landscaping and any plant life that you are looking to nurture. Another further benefit is that the compost is entirely natural and there are no further chemical consequences, the way there would be if a chemical or artificial fertilizer is used. When you add compost to the soil, you are improving the soil’s structure and fertility; you will also find that you can increase it’s ability to hold water.
You should also keep in mind the fact that composting is a process that puts you squarely in the thick of things when it comes to the cycle of the earth and land. With composting, you can realize that the act of conservation and ecological stewardship is something that is very hands on, and that you are very much a part of it. This is an excellent lesson for children, especially, to learn, and you’ll find that they will have a significantly improved understanding of their place in the world when they can see this process up close.
Composting is an important step for gardeners to make, and once you have your composting project started, you’ll find that there are many, many reasons to keep it going. Take the time to see what composting can do for you, and you’ll find out first hand why so many people have turned to this natural alternative.
5 Ways to Protect Your Organic Garden From Pests
February 17, 2009 by admin
Filed under Organic Gardening Tips, Organic Pest Control
If you are familiar with gardening, or even if you aren’t, you already know that pests can destroy a season’s worth of work if left unchecked. While you might be at a bit of a loss when it comes to making sure that your stays healthy while not using chemical products, you’ll find that with a little bit of research, nothing could be easier! Check out a few of the great ways to protect your garden from pests while still keeping organic.
1.Garlic
Garlic is great for a number of different pests, and it’s easy to use, as well. All you need to do is to start with 3 ounces of finely chopped garlic and mix it with two teaspoons of mineral oil. After a 24 hour soak, you can add it to one pint of water and ΒΌ n ounce of dish soap. This is a great all-purpose insect spray, and when you go to use it, all you need to do is to take about tablespoon of this mixture and mix it with a pint of water. Test the mixture on some lower leaves to make sure that you have not made it strong, but this can be a great way to fight really persistent pests.
2.Weed Regularly
We already know that weeds can choke out the desirable plants, but keep in mind that they can also play host to a number of undesirable pests as well! Make sure that your rows stay clear of weeds and also of debris, where insects can nest. When you have finished the weeding, make sure that you put the refuse at some distance away from your garden, to make sure that the pests that you have cleared out don’t return.
3.Milk
Milk is good for you, and great for your garden. When you mix one part milk to nine parts water, you can spray the mixture every week or so to prevent things like powdery mildew. Use it whenever you see black spots on your vegetables or your roses.
4.Composite Flowers
Not only will these flowers be a great and colorful addition to your garden, you’ll find that they’ll attract the useful insects as well. Ladybugs and lacewings are both attracted to these flowers and you’ll find that they can help reduce pests a great deal. For some great composite flowers to add, look at yarrow, chicory, chrysanthemums ad dahlias.
5.Newspapers and Cardboard
Use newspapers and cardboard layered on top of your weeds to suffocate them by keeping them away from the light and the water. If you do this in the fall, your garden will have a great weed-free start in the spring.



