Best Organic Gardening Secrets

Many gardeners wonder what exactly organic gardening means. The simple answer is that organic gardeners don’t use synthetic fertilizers or pesticides on their plants. But gardening organically is much more than what you don’t do.

When you garden organically, you think of your plants as part of a whole system within nature that starts in the soil and includes the water supply, people, wildlife and even insects. An organic gardener strives to work in harmony with natural systems and to minimize and continually replenish any resources the garden consumes.

organic gardening operates on the concept of recycling. You use animal waste, kitchen scraps, and vegetable waste to mulch and compost. You will use common household items like vinegar and soap to prevent pests and weeds.

Organic growers rely on developing a healthy, fertile soil and growing a mixture of crops. Genetically modified (GM) crops and ingredients are not allowed under organic standards.

Organic gardening is the merging together of plants and soil allowing the Earth to naturally bear what it was made to do. The plants and the soil are one working together to provide food and nourishment not only to humans but to animals and organisms as well.

It’s not a new age science. It’s actually quite simple and can be satisfying to the soul! So let’s get more in-depth on getting started.

Your first task is choosing where to plant your garden. The site should receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily, and the soil should drain well, with no standing puddles. The area should receive adequate air circulation, yet be protected from strong winds. Your house or a thicket of trees can act as a shield from the wind.

After choosing your site, decide how large you want to make your garden. Beware of beginning too ambitiously; tending a plot that’s too large can quickly become a chore. A plot 10 feet long by 10 feet wide is large enough for some tomato plants, lettuce, a bush variety of cucumber plant, radishes, an endlessly productive zucchini plant, herbs and some flowers.

Once you’ve chosen your site, draw out a garden plan; this plan will ensure maximum productivity by giving each plant room to grow. Measure the dimensions of the plot and draw a scale model on graph paper, using, for example, a one-inch square to represent one foot. As you draw your plan, keep in mind each plant’s space requirements at maturity–the little tomato plants you put out in the spring will take up three feet of space by the end of summer. Consider laying out your garden design in blocks instead of the more familiar rows. Because you don’t have to allow as much space for paths, this will enable you to plant more.

Blocks containing a variety of plants encourage mini-gardens of vegetables, herbs and flowers, and are more diverse than single rows that alternate just two plants. Single crops crowded together are more susceptible to disease, so the diversity of blocks can mean healthier plants. Make each block just wide enough so you can comfortably reach the middle from each side.

The layout of your garden depends in part on what it is you want to plant. Some crops, such as lettuce, radishes and spinach, mature quickly and will be short-term residents, unless you plant and harvest them several times during the summer. Other plants, such as tomatoes, eggplant and peppers, will grow over the course of the entire season. Perennial herbs and flowers will remain in the same spot year after year, requiring an increasing amount of space each year.

Be sure to save your garden plan to use as a reference for rotating crops next year. Besides depleting the soil of nutrients, leaving plants in the same spot each year encourages disease and soil-borne insect predators. No annual plant should go in the same spot two years in a row. If you wait three years before putting a plant in the same spot, that works even better.

It is a good idea to consider planting “green manure” plants to fix the soil. You can add this to your plan from year to year. Clover, Alfalfa, and other such plants fix nutrients from the soil, which can be used by other plants, as well as adding bulk and organic matter to the soil, when they are dug, or tilled directly into the soil.

Another key to growing organically is to choose plants suited to the site. Plants adapted to your climate and conditions are better able to grow without a lot of attention or input; on the other hand, when you try to grow a plant that is not right for your site, you will probably have to boost its natural defenses to keep it healthy and productive.

Once you plan out your garden for this year, you should really make a plan for next year as well. Because crop rotation is so important to keep healthy soil, as long as you’re making a plan, draw up where you will plant what in the next season. This will help you remember what was planted where and save troubles next year.

So now you know where you’ll put your garden and what you’re going to put in it. Let’s get started on the planting!

Jaden Santon
http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/what-is-organic-gardening-736537.html

While attending language school in Mexico a number of years ago, I was suddenly hit with the idea that I could live without much of what I had been obsessively acquiring and consuming in the states. I had two weeks worth of clothes with me that seemed to be serving me well as I washed and wore them for months. I rarely watched television and never saw a computer, instead choosing to read, take a swim, or socialize with others. I never stepped foot in a supermarket and instead shopped at the local outdoor market. I ate better, I felt better and I slowed down to pay attention to the world and the people in it.

Once I returned to the U.S., I tried to make that simplicity a priority in my life. Over the years, I have become more aware of my community, my world, and my planet. I visit the farmer’s market on weekends for locally grown produce, I buy more organic and even became a member of a farmer’s cooperative. I combine errands so I drive less, and I recycle every bit of paper, plastic, metal and glass in my household. I do not buy throwaway gadgets like disposable toilet bowl wands (though I must confess my daughter did wear disposable diapers) and I try to avoid buying from companies who have no social conscience. As an e-retailer, I sell handcrafted items rather than mass-produced goods providing customers with an alternative to the big box stores, and I donate a portion of all sales.

The point is, being a conscious consumer requires setting some boundaries and holding one’s self accountable. If you’ve ever wondered what you could do to make a difference, but didn’t know where to begin, here are some ideas. Start small, perhaps making one change this week, and another next week, and so on. Every effort by every person adds up and makes a difference. Don’t wait, use your power as a consumer to make global changes today!

Check out this list of ideas you can incorporate into your life one step at a time.

1. Watch one hour less of television

2. Seek out locally grown produce

3. Start a vegetable garden and grow your own

4. Buy organic products

5. Buy from the bulk bins to reduce packaging

6. Join your local co-op

7. Rather than going to the mall, shop small businesses in your community or shop small businesses online and save gas

8. Avoid socially irresponsible companies and support progressive ones – Read The Blue Pages: A Directory of Companies Rated By Their Politics and Practices or visit The Responsible Shopper.com website for more information

9. Find alternatives to chemical-based household cleaners and products

10. Turn off lights, turn down the heat, and raise the setting on the air conditioner by a few degrees

11. Reuse or recycle

12. Buy fair trade products – Read the 32 page booklet The Conscious Consumer: Promoting Economic Justice Through Fair Trade

13. Bring your own cloth bags to the grocery store (many will offer a discount)

14. Bring your travel mug to your favorite coffee shop (Starbucks offers a 10 cent discount)

15. Avoid impulse purchases – think as you buy and consume wisely

16. Take public transportation

You can probably think of dozens more ways to make a positive change. Go ahead, I dare you!

Sheila Hull-Summers
http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/conscious-consumption-a-place-to-start-60544.html

Most people who go in for gardening as an activity are only aware that it is concerned with growing plants! They only have a vague knowledge about the ill-effects of the fertilizers and pesticides that they use to nurture the plants. Fortunately, with spreading knowledge, the same people are going in for a change and moving towards organic gardening.

What exactly is meant by organic gardening? It simply means the reverse of what is done in a normal kind of garden–avoidance of any kind of chemicals or pesticides. The practice is very beneficial where vegetables and flowers are concerned, but also useful for growing other kinds of plants.

Some aspects of organic gardening are listed below–

(1) It should be made clear at the very outset that growing plants the organic way is rather an uphill task. It does require a lot of effort to be put in, more so than what is required for a “normally-grown” garden. But the person who persists with this kind of gardening is never going to feel sorry at the end of it, because the results are so wonderful!

(2) And why is organic gardening preferable to non-organic gardening? Well, constant use of fertilizers may tend to leave poisonous residue on the parts of the plants that we consume. Toxic chemicals get an entry into our bodies, causing harmful effects in the long run. Parents who wish their children and pets to be safe would prefer to garden in the “natural way”. Not only do they have access to fresh and wholesome vegetables and fruits, they also get to see plenty of bees and butterflies or other small wildlife who become regular visitors!

(3) Coming to the brass tacks of what organic gardening involves, planning is essential before starting any kind of project. The gardener has to be clear about the type of garden, its location, design, and whether companion plants are to be included in the garden or not.

(4) The natural fertilizer used for organic gardening is compost. Compost is prepared by mixing topsoil with different organic matter (dead leaves, rotten vegetables and vegetable refuse, and manure). Water and air are also important for its preparation. There should be plenty of room (large pit) given for the compost to develop, plus the mixture has to be frequently re-mixed or turned.

When it is ready, the compost becomes the replacement for surface soil, for the placement of seeds and young seedlings. So the mixture has to be ready before everything else, where natural gardening is concerned.

(5) The actual territory set aside for the garden is the next thing to be taken into consideration, as well as specific areas for particular plants.

Geographic locations of course make it easy to decide, or rather the climatic conditions in those places decide for the gardener. For example, places like Florida, Nevada or Alaska.

But generally, certain questions need answers before deciding on the above factors. They are–Does the garden lie within easy access? Will the plants receive plenty of sunlight? Is there enough protection provided for when the cold season arrives or if the weather decides to change? Is the garden likely to be flooded in the event of a major rain storm, or is it in a safe and high place?

In fact, with enough experience, an enthusiastic gardener may be able to develop a flower garden in the same spot as a vegetable garden!

(6) Organically-grown gardens invite the use of companion plants, but of course, it is all dependent on the gardener.

Insects and diseases attack plants, no matter how they are cultivated. So organically-grown plants are no different! Companion plants give out natural chemicals that repel these enemies.

There are certain plants that keep away nematodes. Cucumber beetles cannot come near the plants if there is Oregano anywhere! Aphids love to attack roses. The solution is to grow garlic near these rose plants. These are just a few examples. There may be a longer list regarding companion plants for organic gardening.

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/organic-gardening6-major-aspects-of-organic-gardening-753776.html

Most people who go in for gardening as an activity are only aware that it is concerned with growing plants! They only have a vague knowledge about the ill-effects of the fertilizers and pesticides that they use to nurture the plants. Fortunately, with spreading knowledge, the same people are going in for a change and moving towards organic gardening.

What exactly is meant by organic gardening? It simply means the reverse of what is done in a normal kind of garden–avoidance of any kind of chemicals or pesticides. The practice is very beneficial where vegetables and flowers are concerned, but also useful for growing other kinds of plants.

Some aspects of organic gardening are listed below–

(1) It should be made clear at the very outset that growing plants the organic way is rather an uphill task. It does require a lot of effort to be put in, more so than what is required for a “normally-grown” garden. But the person who persists with this kind of gardening is never going to feel sorry at the end of it, because the results are so wonderful!

(2) And why is organic gardening preferable to non-organic gardening? Well, constant use of fertilizers may tend to leave poisonous residue on the parts of the plants that we consume. Toxic chemicals get an entry into our bodies, causing harmful effects in the long run. Parents who wish their children and pets to be safe would prefer to garden in the “natural way”. Not only do they have access to fresh and wholesome vegetables and fruits, they also get to see plenty of bees and butterflies or other small wildlife who become regular visitors!

(3) Coming to the brass tacks of what organic gardening involves, planning is essential before starting any kind of project. The gardener has to be clear about the type of garden, its location, design, and whether companion plants are to be included in the garden or not.

(4) The natural fertilizer used for organic gardening is compost. Compost is prepared by mixing topsoil with different organic matter (dead leaves, rotten vegetables and vegetable refuse, and manure). Water and air are also important for its preparation. There should be plenty of room (large pit) given for the compost to develop, plus the mixture has to be frequently re-mixed or turned.

When it is ready, the compost becomes the replacement for surface soil, for the placement of seeds and young seedlings. So the mixture has to be ready before everything else, where natural gardening is concerned.

(5) The actual territory set aside for the garden is the next thing to be taken into consideration, as well as specific areas for particular plants.

Geographic locations of course make it easy to decide, or rather the climatic conditions in those places decide for the gardener. For example, places like Florida, Nevada or Alaska.

But generally, certain questions need answers before deciding on the above factors. They are–Does the garden lie within easy access? Will the plants receive plenty of sunlight? Is there enough protection provided for when the cold season arrives or if the weather decides to change? Is the garden likely to be flooded in the event of a major rain storm, or is it in a safe and high place?

In fact, with enough experience, an enthusiastic gardener may be able to develop a flower garden in the same spot as a vegetable garden!

(6) Organically-grown gardens invite the use of companion plants, but of course, it is all dependent on the gardener.

Insects and diseases attack plants, no matter how they are cultivated. So organically-grown plants are no different! Companion plants give out natural chemicals that repel these enemies.

There are certain plants that keep away nematodes. Cucumber beetles cannot come near the plants if there is Oregano anywhere! Aphids love to attack roses. The solution is to grow garlic near these rose plants. These are just a few examples. There may be a longer list regarding companion plants for organic gardening.

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/organic-gardening6-major-aspects-of-organic-gardening-753776.html

Raw Food Weight Loss *
Raw Food Diet Menu *
Fat Free Salad Dressing Recipe *
Corn Salad Recipes *

? Gourmet Fresh Garden Salad with
Spicy Tomato Low Fat Salad Dressing ?

* Watch and Learn Intuitive Raw Food Prep! *

* I n g r e d i e n t s *
— Cabbage
— Zucchini
— Cilantro
— Corn on the cob
— Cherry Tomatoes
— Hot Pepper
— Lime
— Orange

* P r e p a r a t i o n *
— 1) Using your food processor’s shredder blade, shred cabbage, zucchini, cilantro in food processor; transfer to serving platter

— 2) Slice corn off of cob(s); transfer to serving platter

— 3) Replace shredder blade with S-blade

— 4) Place cherry tomatoes & hot pepper into food processor

— 5) Squeeze juice of lime and orange into food processor as well

— 6) Blend until desired consistency

— 7) Pour over top of salad

— Do anything further that you want! You could add some sea salt, garnish with avocados, or just follow your own intuition!

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Duration : 0:9:53

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be patient, after the pup has quieted, novalee gives a full tour of the amazing organic garden with all its edibles

Duration : 0:6:10

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