Conventional vs. Organic Growing
There are a number of reasons why organic gardening is better than conventional or commercial growing. Some of the reasons are more obvious than others. As small scale backyard gardeners, there is a tendency to focus just on the plants and practices in our own yards and on our own tables. However, conventional vs. organic growing is a hot topic and has more global ramifications.
What Do …
Butterfly Gardening – Welcome Your Winged Friends
Even if it’s mid-summer, you can still plant a butterfly garden and welcome winged friends to your yard. Many butterflies go through several generations during a single summer, and now is the time to lure adult butterflies from a first or second generation this summer to the garden to lay eggs on host plants. Once the eggs hatch, you’ll have your own little butterfly farm right outside your window.
Get some Host Plants
Host plants are what …
8 Organic Container Gardening Tips for a Healthy Planet and Garden
Container garden, by Thomas PixOrganic container gardening doesn’t have to be complicated or difficult, and in fact it may even save you money. This year, instead of filling your ceramic planters with standard potting soil that will just have to be discarded and replaced next season, think about investing in a few organic gardening supplies …
Should I Turn to Organic Gardening? Pros and Cons
You are likely reading this because you wish to know more about becoming an organic gardener, and have this burning question: How much time will this take? Or, how the heck can I keep my flowers alive in a pesticide-free yard without insects and disease destroying them? These are excellent questions, and many of the answers aren’t clear-cut. So, let’s start with the #1 basic difference …
Is Everything Organic also “Safe?”
As a horticulturist that spent years in school and countless (boring but useful) hours in pesticide training, I am always wary of people that give all organics a blanket approval. To be a true organic gardener, there are some things you need to know about organic gardening. One of the best reference …
Organic Weed Control with Corn Gluten
Organic weed control is one of the most difficult aspects of organic gardening. Too much hand weeding, and you lose valuable topsoil to erosion. Certain organic weed control options such as vinegar, boiling water and burning weeds with a torch are difficult to implement in flower beds or around other plants. However, there is one option you may not have heard of – corn gluten meal.
Corn gluten …
Organic Ant Control
Photo by Il conte di LunaAnts are part of the garden. They help decompose organic material. They can also bite, sting and devour a wood frame house. If you have a couple ant colonies and they are doing no harm, leave them be. Think of them as nature’s cleaning maids. However, if ants take …
Pesticide Poisoning
Dandelions in the lawn, bugs in the garden, a little spray here, a little spray there, weeds and bugs disappear, no problem.
THINK AGAIN!!
Pesticide poisoning occurs when chemicals enter the blood stream. Not all poison symptoms occur right away. Most chemicals have cumulative effects. Your liver, lungs, bone marrow, kidneys, nervous system and
skin may all be affected with pesticides.
Pesticides enter the bloodstream through absorption, inhalation or ingestion. Absorption through the skin and …
When To Buy Organic
The next time you are in the Organic produce aisle, you might find that you are a bit confused as to what produce you should buy. There are so many choices available that it can be mind boggling.
To reduce your potential exposure to pesticides on produce, it is a possible idea to look at organic labels on certain fruits and vegetables. It was not all that long ago that the term’ organic’ …
Insect Repellents
I will list some of the Insect Repellents
that may help you to ward them off
when they are active..
All-Purpose Repellants.
Anise.
Anise is a good insect repellant for a variety of pests
Many gardeners report less of a problem with aphids,
fleas,and cabbage pests when Anise is planted nearby.
Catnip
Catnip deters many pests , such as Colorado potato beetles
darkling beetles,flea beetles, japanese beetles, squash bugs,
weevils and the biggest pest of all
ANTS!
You …
