Posted by Marie Hull
Organic fertilizer usage has turn out to be extremely popular but when the whole organic thing began, people were more than a bit disbelieving of the methods implicated in organic gardening.
Have you ever chanced upon the book, How to Have a Green Thumb Without an Aching Back, by Ruth Stout? In this 1955 book, the author revealed a unique method to produce garden crops. She told us you don't have to plow your soil every year if you can learn how to mulch. Moreover, you don't truly need to purchase synthetic fertilizers to create a beautiful garden. Most of what's mentioned in the book are now popular methods for growing an organic garden. Back then, though, her neighbors thought her strategies were out of this world.
It is hardly surprising that individuals around us are still skeptical of organic gardening systems.
With the propaganda geared towards the widespread application of synthetic fertilizers, it's not easy for composting enthusiasts to convince people of the many benefits of organic systems. The situation reversed when individuals discovered organic food and how eating something that was grown and bred using only natural elements can save the lives of millions.
Even without the implications on how organic fertilizer systems can alleviate the worldwide food situation, people have started seeing the light about the practicability of going natural all the way.
So, what does it mean to go for the natural alternatives?
Any holistic way of farming that won't disturb the fragile balance of soil factors, crop potential and the natural order of things can be categorized under an organic scheme. You also need to show an intimate comprehension of how your crops intermingle with helpful insects and microbes.
Pesticides made from organic ingredients, such as blossoms or cayenne pepper, are allowed. Conditioners and insecticides created from chemicals using manufacturing processes as not acceptable. Organic products must not have any genetically changed elements.
If you are going to go organic, you must learn to section your plots in a way that some of the soil plots can rest while the others are growing plants. You also have to crop green mulch along with your normal plants to make the soil atmosphere more friendly to helpful microbes.
Want to find out more about organic gardening, then visit Marie Hull's site on how to choose the best organic fertilizer for your needs.
Tags: Gardening Articles, Organic, organic fertilizer, organic gardening
Posted by Sarah Duke
Organic gardening is a great way to appreciate nature, without destroying it. You will use compost to build healthy soil and will try techniques like companion planting and ladybug cultivation, rather than using chemicals on your food. As someone who truly appreciates the earth, you feel very strongly about making the world a better place through your gardening experience. The most ardent natural gardeners will even use only manual gardening tools to till and cultivate.
Advocates for growing food organically argue that this method is better for several main reasons. First, gardening organically reduces your exposure to pesticides, which have been linked to everything from skin rashes, eye irritations and neurotoxicity to cancer, birth defects and hormone disruption. Secondly, organic food contains a higher concentration of nutrients like chromium, selenium, calcium, boron, lithium, magnesium, vitamin C, carotene and vitamin B. Thirdly, organic gardeners work with manual garden supplies and tools, so they avoid gasoline-powered machines that leave emissions. At the same time, the organic gardener is getting a great workout in! Lastly, this method for growing plants prevents chemicals and contaminants from leaching into the soil and down to our water table, so this style of gardening is much better for the planet overall.
Soil health is one of the most important focuses of organic gardening. Even though organic matter (made of partially decomposed organisms and vegetation) only makes up 5-10% of the soil, it is absolutely essential in maintaining soil health. A gardening expert will tell you that organic matter is what binds together soil particles to allow the passage of air and water. Humus holds up to 90% of its weight in water, in addition to absorbing and storing key nutrients. Other microorganisms that live within the soil feeds upon this organic matter, which is what keeps the ecosystem thriving. The best way to increase your organic matter is to add organic compost bought from the store and made in your own kitchen.
Composting is an essential part of organic gardening because it ensures that your soil will be healthy and fruitful. You can add compost, aged animal manure, green manure (like cover crops), mulches, peat moss and kitchen scraps. Be cautious about adding high-carbon material like straw, leaves, wood chips and sawdust because microorganisms will consume a lot of nitrogen to digest these materials, which could deplete your soil. You can add natural nitrogen with hoof/horn/fish meal, natural potassium with granite dust/potash rock, and natural phosphorus with bone meal/finely ground phosphate rock. For more information and gardening advice on building healthy soil and improving existing soil naturally, visit www.gardeners.com/Building-Healthy-Soil/5060,default,pg.html, where you can read about the organic style of gardening in more detail.
Pest control will be another concern for your garden. Believe it or not, marigolds are some of the best pest controls in organic gardening. Marigolds keep away aphids, earworms, leaf hoppers, Mexican bean leaf beetles, rabbits, squash bugs, thrips and tomato heartworms. Aphids are also deterred by rue, dill, catnip, fennel, mint and chives. Other natural home vegetable gardening pest deterrents include basil, green beans, nasturtium, tomato, wormwood, anise, borage, sage, thyme, radish, garlic, onion, potato, turnip, oleander, hyssop, rosemary, lavender, pennyroyal, mint, tansy, coriander, cilantro, horseradish, geranium, butterfly sage, larkspur, cloves, petunia and parsley.
The benefits of a vegetable garden can't be beat. You'll get to enjoy fresh picked produce and you'll get some great exercise at the same time! From fall vegetable gardens to a raised vegetable garden, you'll find the information you need at the Vegetable Garden Site.
Tags: Gardening, Gardening Articles, organic gardening, vegetable gardening
Posted by Michael Tait
Organic or green lawn care products can easily be applied to your lawn instead of chemicals. You may be wondering why anyone would want to use green lawn care products instead of chemical products - if so, then read below to find out what the benefits of organic lawn care products are.
Lawn care can be a complex practice that entails various different components that need to support each other in order that your lawn can really be healthy. The first thing you need to consider is why you want to use green lawn care products. If you would like to utilize them since they are less expensive and easier to use, then perhaps they are not for you. However, if you desire the best looking lawn and would like products that are safe for you, your children, and your pets then green lawn care products are for you.
Organic Lawn Care Product Benefits
Not only do green lawn care products make your lawn healthier, they also make things healthier for you and your family. More often than not, chemical treatments for your lawn replace the natural elements or minerals in your lawn with chemical ones; your lawn will become reliant on these chemicals to stay alive. With no chemicals, the lawn browns and becomes unhealthy. Natural, green lawn care products do not have this problem as they maintain the lawns natural development with natural minerals and nutrients. Whereas your lawn would not do as well without these organic products, it does not shrivel up and die as severely as when you stop using chemical products.
In addition, the natural green lawn care products are by and large not at all harmful, so your family and your pets can relax on the lawn without worrying that you will become ill. If you apply chemicals, you have to use gloves, a mask, and possibly eye protectors - would you want your children playing on the lawn or your pet eating the grass when it is full of unsafe chemicals?
A further reason why green lawn care products are generally better is that they make your lawn stronger on the whole. They maintain the growing process that will cause your lawn to develop strong roots that will enable your lawn stand up to harsh winters or scorching summers. In the end it means less work on your part to keep your lawn vigorous in the long term. A chemically treated lawn won't be as able at fighting off these things because it relies on the chemicals to stay strong not its inner strength.
Pet and Child Safe Lawn Care Products
One of the most commonly used child and pet safe lawn care products is organic fertilizer. Organic fertilizer not only helps your lawn to prosper and support its natural resistance to disease and insects, it is also completely safe. By using a natural, green lawn care product like organic fertilizer you not only aid the health of your lawn but of everyone in your house.
Normally two applications of organic fertilizer a year is more than enough. At first, if your lawn is considerably damaged, you could need further applications. An organic pet and child safe lawn care product will improve the health of your lawn and the strength of its root system so that you don't need to continually apply it.
In addition to organic fertilizer you can use seaweed to support the health of your lawn. Seaweed is very rich in minerals and is not expensive - it is a product you can apply for a small amount of cash on a quarterly basis.
I hope this has given you a bit of insight into why using green products for your lawn is the safest way to go. I administered an organic coffee plantation with the use of organic material as well as organic insecticides and fungicides. Also, I have a chemical free garden that produces organic citrus fruit and vegetables - change over to organic and natural gardening because it is really fulfilling and safe.
Michael Tait is an expert in organic farming and also enjoys gardening. Visit his his newest web site on Yard Machine Parts where you will find information on many yard machine parts like Riding Mower Parts.
Tags: Garden, Gardening, Gardening Articles, green lawn care products, lawn care, organic fertilizer, organic gardening, pet safe
Posted by Tina Hull
Organic soil fertilizer keeps soil healthy. Synthetic fertilizer turns soil chemically dependent. Don't let your soil become dependent on chemicals to adequately feed your plants. Organic soil fertilizer promotes important microbial activity, especially fish emulsion. The nutrients from fish emulsion will pamper and strengthen your plants root systems. Choosing a fertilizer is important. You want to make sure that you're helping the environment, not harming it.
Synthetic soil fertilizer only destroys your soil and all of the nutrients that occur naturally. Natural soil fertilizer supports these natural nutrient delivery systems that are already in place, and won't get your soil addicted maybe just craving fish emulsion, but wont shut down without like chemically dependent soil.
Using fish emulsion, there aren't any worries. It is such a premium soil fertilizer because it delivers nutrients immediately and doesn't contaminate groundwater. It actually sticks to the soil, so you don't lose any money from water runoff.
Fish emulsion delivers amazing results to lawns and gardens, and leaves the soil rich and fertile so planting gardens next season will be worry-free. Organic soil fertilizer is one small step in saving our environment and keeping our planet healthy. Keeps our bodies healthy too by delivering awesome organic veggies to our dinner tables, and distributing important nutrients to our vital organs.
Organic soil fertilizer promotes microbial activity that synthetic fertilizer manufacturers could only dream of duplicating. Just isn't possible. The benefits from keeping our soil natural can't be questioned. The harm from using synthetic fertilizers in our soil can. They've done nothing but give people temporary results, leaving the soil depleted. Just like an addict instant gratification led to being broke and helpless.
If you keep your soil fertilizer chemical free, you keep your garden yields chemical free which means your body will be chemical free. You won't be weighted down with harmful toxins that slow you down throughout the day, and your soil wont be burdened with cravings for synthetic fertilizer.
The damage that's been done to our planet, just from the chemicals we've used on our lawns, gardens and crops, is monstrous. The soil that feeds us needs to be cherished. By using the same toxic methods that we've been using, were just going down a doomed path. Too much soil is addicted to synthetic fertilizers, and its time to get back to natural methods of fertilization.
I believe that were either part of the problem or part of the solution, and it always feels better to be part of the solution. Organic soil fertilizer is part of the solution, and using it makes us vital in the answer that the earth is craving. Our bodies can't be healthy if we don't eat healthy. We can't eat healthy if our food isn't healthy, and food won't be healthy unless its grown naturally. Food stuffed with chemicals has kept the hospitals in business, but not the organic farmer. Let's get back to our roots and keep our soil healthy.
To learn more about natural soil fertilizer you can visit Tina's website about organic fertilizer. This and other unique content '' articles are available with free reprint rights.
Tags: dirt fertilizer, Garden, Gardening Articles, Lawn, organic gardening, soil, soil fertilizer
Posted by Tina Hull
by Tina Hull
Organic soil fertilizer keeps soil healthy. Synthetic fertilizer turns soil chemically dependent. Don't let your soil become dependent on chemicals to adequately feed your plants. Organic soil fertilizer promotes important microbial activity, especially fish emulsion. The nutrients from fish emulsion will pamper and strengthen your plants root systems. Choosing a fertilizer is important. You want to make sure that you're helping the environment, not harming it.
Natural soil fertilizer helps the soil, it doesn't destroy it like synthetic fertilizers do. Synthetic fertilizers kill all the good stuff in the soil and literally make the soil dependent on chemicals to do the job. The soil becomes addicted, substance abuse if you ask me.
Fish emulsion is a premium soil fertilizer, distributing nutrients quick as lightning. It doesn't pollute groundwater like synthetic fertilizers do. It also clings to the soil, meaning you aren't literally letting your money run down the drain during a good rain storm.
Soil is fertile and crammed with beneficial vitamins, minerals and amino acids when fish emulsion is used as your primary soil fertilizer. You'll be able to plant worry-free next season knowing that your soil is still rich, unlike planting after a season of using a synthetic fertilizer. Keeping our earth organic is a huge part of keeping our planet livable. Organic soil fertilizer keeps everything underground natural, as well as what it produces above ground and ultimately our bodies are the true beneficiaries.
Organic soil fertilizer promotes microbial activity that synthetic fertilizer manufacturers could only dream of duplicating. Just isn't possible. The benefits from keeping our soil natural can't be questioned. The harm from using synthetic fertilizers in our soil can. They've done nothing but give people temporary results, leaving the soil depleted. Just like an addict instant gratification led to being broke and helpless.
Soil should be chemical free in order to keep your veggies and your body chemical free. Soil fertilizer is key to keeping your soil healthy, so keeping it organic keeps everything else along the chain in check. Toxins in your food drag you down and rob you of energy. By keeping your soil free and clear of chemicals, you'll keep your food and your body free and clear.
The harm done to the earth from chemicals we've put in our soil, plants in our food is almost unforgivable. Mother Nature is giving us a chance to fix what we've done. The soil we grow our food in, that we grow our livestock's feed in needs to be natural or else were going to self-destruct, and that's not what we want for future generations. Natural soil fertilizer is the answer to healing from the damage already caused.
If we aren't part of the solution, then were part of the problem. Id rather be part of the solution. If we keep our soil fertilizer organic, we won't have to panic. Silly cliche, but it's true. Soil fertilizer is key to keeping our soil, plants, food and bodies healthy so we live to see the next century.
Tags: dirt fertilizer, Garden, Gardening Articles, Lawn, organic gardening, soil, soil fertilizer
Posted by Tina Hull
by Tina Hull
Organic gardening is the best way to guarantee that you and your family will be eating the most wholesome produce possible. Fish emulsion has proven itself to be a valid resource for organic gardening, producing premium quality and superior yields of delicious fruits and veggies.
For centuries, gardeners around the world have been using fish emulsion to nourish their gardens. The effects from using fish emulsion in the garden are tried and true and organic gardening has been a great success due to its use.
But organic gardening means a lot more than just a natural way to feed the family. Organic gardens are an example to your community, showing them how to grow their own food too without any harm done to the environment. Huge farms that mass produce chemically laden crops will inevitably be brought to their knees, and they might even rethink how they do business. With open eyes, they'll see that their use of synthetic fertilizers is harming the world, and their own soil.
Organic gardening benefits so many people right now, but the possibilities are endless. The amount of people who could and should be growing their own food is enormous. The chances of getting food that's been tainted by a toxin is actually pretty high, and if more people realized this they'd think twice about their purchase at the grocery store and consider organic gardening as a viable alternative.
Some people today still relate the word "organic" with a dirty hippie, and that's just not the case anymore. Very distinguished people eat strict organic diets. In fact the income of a hippie couldn't afford to eat organic unless they were growing their own, and maybe that's where that stereotype comes from. Fact is that organic gardening is on the rise only this time it isn't a 60's trend but a millennium revolution.
Today's society has finally realized that "green" is the way to go. Whoever thought that it wasn't? How did we get so disillusioned with using chemicals on our flowers and our vegetable gardens? It is up to us to repair the damage that we've inflicted on our environment and ultimately on ourselves, and organic gardening is playing a huge part in reparations.
The only way we can truly know what we're putting into our bodies is to eat what we grow ourselves, and organic gardening will ensure that we are getting the highest quality food possible. Stereotypes attached to organic gardening need to be put aside and the true dilemma at hand addressed. It's time to stop messing up and start picking up the pieces, making our world the beautiful planet it was meant to be. Fish emulsion is serving a grand purpose in fertilizing our organic gardens, and let's not forget the other methods that play an important part in keeping our gardens natural. Go green.
Tags: Gardening Articles, Organic, organic garden, organic gardening
Posted by Tina Hull
by Tina Hull
Nature didn't give us chemicals to nurture our lawns and gardens. Nature gave us some excellent stuff to keep our vegetation healthy and organic fertilizer has forever outdone itself. Fish emulsion, in particular, has been used by our ancestors for centuries. Someone somewhere had some bright idea that chemicals were the ticket to green lawns and red tomatoes, but they obviously didn't think the idea through to the finish. Well, this is the finish and organic fertilizer a brighter idea.
The best fish by-product to use for an organic fertilizer comes from the Menhaden fish. Menhaden meaning "that which manures". Such a great name since manure is an excellent fertilizer too. The Menhaden fish is an organic and renewable source, serving North America for centuries as an extraordinary organic fertilizer. For centuries our ancestors used the Menhaden fish to make crops grow incredible yields?way before synthetic fertilizer was a twinkle in anyone's eye.
Fish emulsion's prime advantage is that it provides the user instant gratification. Though other organic fertilizers are good for your lawn and garden, they are usually slow acting. Not fish emulsion. Your plants benefit immediately upon application instead of waiting for other organic fertilizers to decompose. Since fish emulsion degrades so quickly, it should be stored at room temperature so it doesn't work its magic before its time.
Fish emulsion is a great organic fertilizer for seedlings. Since fish emulsion acts so promptly, it makes a great fertilizer for transplants too. Transplants particularly need some extra attention so as not to risk any harm from the shock of transplanting.
Organic fertilizer doesnt pose the same risks that synthetic fertilizers do. Brown burn spots on the lawn are a problem of the past. Your plants wont be dropping dead from chemical overload.
Yes, fish emulsion has a drawback, it doesn't smell too great. Though a super organic fertilizer, you'll want to exercise caution when using. Try to keep it off your hands and clothes. The lovely aroma will diminish after a short period of time, so don't worry. You won't have to live with it for very long.
Probably the most beneficial fish to use for organic fertilizer is the Menhaden, a tiny, bony fish that isn't caught to eat but caught for their protein and nutrients. They feed on mineral rich plankton in the Atlantic and Caribbean, making them primo for our gardens and lawns.
Fish emulsion has been used as an organic fertilizer for so long that no one can legitimately debate whether or not it works. Millions of lawns and gardens are well serviced by fish emulsion, especially younger plants. The rewards justify the stench, so get over it. This too shall pass. Your vegetation will thrive like never before when using fish emulsion as your primary organic fertilizer on your lawn and garden.
Tags: farming, fertilizer, Gardening, Gardening Articles, growing, lawn care, liquid fertilizer, liquid organic fertilizer, Organic, organic farming, organic fertilizer, organic gardening, organic lawn care, pasture management
Posted by Matt Truman
by Matt Truman
Trash is something we all have to deal with. This includes throwing away things as well as taking out the trash. Instead of just disposing of things in this manner, wouldn't it be great to use it in a productive manner?
Since most people like to avoid using chemicals in their gardening, you need to find other ways to feed your plants. Abstaining from chemicals is known as organic gardening, and you can use waste to improve your organic garden.
While organic gardening seems like a new thing nowadays, as stated, it was the only kind before chemicals. Now the form is making a comeback around the world, as people become more aware of the health benefits from growing organically.
Now people have gone one step further by initiating the process from home itself. What they are doing is using their household waste (obviously only the organic part) to create manure which they are using to nurture their plants.
The process of making this manure is pretty simple. One needs to keep the organic waste in a compost bin, add some water to it, and wait until it to turns into humus. Then one has to make use of this humus and await best results.
The simplicity of the process is one reason for its popularity. Another reason is that the waste is utilized for good reasons, and homemade manure is truly great for plants.
The third reason is very clear - one would always prefer organic food over any other type of nurturing process. If you can avoid using chemicals, then do so.
While some fertilizers may increase the yields you get, the quality of those yields will be less than what it would be with organic growing methods. That is why you should always make sure to grow organically, so you end up with the highest quality crops possible.
Tags: composting, Gardening, Gardening Articles, homemade fertilizer, organic gardening, Outdoors
Posted by Rhonda Abrons
Organic is widely becoming the most desirable way to garden and eat food. Using an organic fertilizer relieves the stress of worrying about chemicals contaminating your vegetables and fruits. One organic fertilizer is worm excretion or Vermiculture. Using worm compost will bring you a hardy, healthy crop. Here are the simple steps needed to create your own worm compost.
Get a Container
For best results, acquire a container that is eight to twelve inches deep. In addition, wood is an excellent material for your worm compost as it absorbs moisture and insulates the worms. There are some who prefer a rectangular shaped plastic container; however these tend to make the compost soggy.
Make Sure to Aerate the Bottom
Drill holes at least 2 inches apart all along the container bottom. Plastic containers may need more holes. Raise the bin off the ground with bricks. This provides air flow to the worms and prevents the materials from rotting. Keep a tray underneath the bin to catch excess moisture that can then be used for liquid fertilizer. If your compost comes out too wet, simply drill more holes.
Line with Newspaper
To line the bottom of the container, simply shred newspaper into one inch wide strips and spray with water from a spray bottle until damp. Once this is completed, you will need to add about one cup of sand to the container. The sand assists the worms with their digestion.
Collect and Save Kitchen Scraps
About a week before you purchase your worms, start collecting kitchen scraps to feed the worms. The kitchen scraps you save are just like for home composting. Do not use animal proteins like meat, bones, cheese, milk, or oil products like salad dressing or mayonnaise. All raw vegetable and fruit leftovers, coffee grounds, used tea bags and egg shells are good.
Purchase Your Worms
Red worms or red wigglers are best in a compost bin because they thrive off of organic material like rotting vegetables. You will need two pounds of worms for one day each of food waste, this is around 2,000 worms.
Cover Container
When placing your container outside, a wooden board works best as it keeps the worms in darkness just as they like it while keeping the soil moist. In addition, it also prevents predators from getting in. If your container is indoors, a simple plastic lid cover will suffice.
Collect Castings from Worms
Within four to six weeks from starting your worm compost you will start to notice the bedding becoming darker. Finally, in about two to three months, there will be very little of your original bedding remaining. If you wish to collect all of the compost or castings at once, simply pour the container onto a tarp or old shower curtain liner. The next step is to shine a light over the piles to ensure the worms move to the bottom. Once you are sure they are at the bottom, begin scooping the castings until all that is left are the worms. Place new bedding, the worms and some of the castings back in your container and start all over again.
Rhonda Abrons is a keen organic gardening enthusiast. She loves to share her gardening experiences and provide lessons about Organic Garden Companion Planting and DIY Recipes for Natural Pesticides on Clivir.com.
Tags: compost, diet, fertilizer, Gardening, Gardening Articles, gardening tips, health, hobbies, organic gardening, vermiculture, worms
Posted by Tina Hull
What else hits the spot on a hot summer's day, after tending to your tomatoes, than sinking your teeth into a sweet juicy tomato? Unless you aren't using the best tomato fertilizer available, then you might not have that option. The best tomato fertilizer on the planet will guarantee the tastiest tomatoes you'll ever grow.
The best darn tomato fertilizer to use comes from what would seem to be a very doubtful source. It doesn't appeal to the senses like the delectable tomato does. The sensational fertilizer that delivers as promised is nothing else but fish emulsion.
Fish emulsion is the most excellent tomato fertilizer because it produces the most amazing harvests of tomatoes you've laid your eyes on or sank your teeth into. Your taste buds will have a party in your mouth. Neighbors will be flocking, wondering what your secret ingredient is.
So why is fish emulsion the best tomato fertilizer? Well, besides growing the most magnificent tomatoes in the world, fish emulsion provides advanced nutrition to your plants' roots, and the roots are what supply your plants with the nutrients your tomatoes need.
Pure and unfettered, your tomatoes will be simply incredible. Your tomato fertilizer is your key to success. The nutrients that fish emulsion supplies guarantee super power health, and the nutrients are soaked up as needed. Chelated nutrients will prevent any loss of nutrition to groundwater. Your tomato plants won't risk any shock like they do when using a synthetic fertilizer.
Fish emulsion is going to greatly increase your harvest. You'll be amazed. The nourishment available through using fish emulsion as your tomato fertilizer is the best you can get. If you've had problems before using fish emulsion, then it may be time to change your ways.
When using fish emulsion for tomato fertilizer, you'll be worry-free when it comes to chemicals in your soil, plants, fruit, and ultimately your body. You won't have to worry about your kids getting sick from eating dirt (like many toddlers enjoy experimenting with) or your pets being harmed from wallowing through your tomato plants. But fair warning, the leaves and stems of tomato plants are toxic so it's best to keep children and pets out of your tomato garden as a safety precaution.
You'll have a tremendous sense of well-being (not to mention the envy of your friends and neighbors) by using fish emulsion as your tomato fertilizer. Your tomatoes will outshine all others. Your family will be eating the best quality tomatoes possible and you'll be able to share your harvest with family and friends, and even be able to save some for the winter too. That's how many succulent tomatoes you'll have by using fish emulsion as your tomato fertilizer.
Tina Hull specializes in organic fertilizer for tomatoes. To learn how to grow more organic tomatoes in your garden you can visit her website about tomato fertilizer.
Tags: Gardening, Gardening Articles, organic fertilizer, organic gardening, organic tomato fertilizer, tomato, tomato fertilizer, tomatoe
