Organic Vegetable Gardening For Beginners

To be successful at organic vegetable gardening you must draw up detailed plans. The soil is your first consideration; how to make it rich and fertile, and how to prepare it so harmful pests won't attack your vegetable garden. The two ways that organic vegetable gardening differs from conventional gardens is the usage of fertilizer and how to keep pests under control. Phosphorous, nitrogen and potassium are the three components essential to your organic garden.

For lush, green foliage you must have nitrogen. For strong roots and stems phosphorus is needed. And for the important protection from disease and brief cold snaps, potassium is a must. Let's call them the big three. The big three are available in commercial fertilizers however they are synthetic. In organic vegetable gardening the big three are added in a much different way.

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The best way of enriching your soil is by compost. Dig some pits in your back yard to start your compost from kitchen refuse. Use things like pine needles, corn stalks, leaves, carrot tops, fruits or vegetables that have spoiled, manure, egg shells and coffee grinds. Some organic gardeners use weeds in their compost but I do not recommend this for obvious reasons. As the compost materials decompose they release bacteria and fungi into the soil that you are preparing. The bacteria and fungi convert nutrients like nitrogen to ammonia and nitrates that will be usable for your vegetables. Use substances such as seaweed, potash salts, tobacco stems and wood ash to help make potassium in your compost. By making your own compost, you are controlling the mixture and balance to achieve the right combination for your organic vegetable garden.

Organic Vegetable Gardening For Beginners

To be absolutely sure that your compost has completely broken down and is now offering up the right balance, start working it into the soil at least two weeks before you plan on planting.

The pH in the soil must be right for healthy plants. Test your soil, if it has a ph of 0 it is very acidic, while a 14 is extreme alkaline. Of course a seven indicates neutral soil. To raise the pH of the soil inexpensively use ground limestone. An additional benefit of the limestone is that it contains magnesium something that most soils lack. If, on the other hand, you have extreme alkaline soil use sulpher to bring the pH down.

Pest control in organic vegetable gardening is also different that conventional gardening. In many conventional beds gardeners wish to eradicate all pests with pesticides. Many in organic gardening only wish to keep the pest population down so to have a balance in the garden. Obviously, whenever possible, plant pest resistant vegetables. In order for harmful organisms to grow, they need bright sunlight so keep thick mulch around the plants to deny the organisms that needed sunlight and to help hold moisture into the ground. If you find you have a heavy infestation here is a natural pest control formula:

In a jar, combine 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid and 1 cup vegetable oil. Shake vigorously. In an empty spray bottle, combine 2 teaspoons of this mixture and 1 cup water. Use at ten-day intervals (or more often if needed) to rid plants of whiteflies, mites, aphids, scales, and other pests.

Follow this tips and you are on your way to raising a healthy and plentiful organic vegetable garden.

Happy Gardening!

Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.

Organic Vegetable Gardening For Beginners

Mary Hanna is an aspiring herbalist who lives in Central Florida. This allows her to grow gardens inside and outside year round. She has published other articles on Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at Gardening Landscaping Tips, Gardening Outside and Herb Gardening

Organic Gardening - How to Control Stink Bugs on Tomatoes

The stink bug is a common pest with tomato plants and other plants in the garden. I North America alone there are 250 species and worldwide there have been over 4,700 species described in almost 900 genera. They live throughout the world in our fields, meadows and yards and can be controlled by a few different methods in organic gardening.

It is the member of the bug family pentatomidae and easily recognize with having a shield like body. There life cycle like all hemipterans undergo simple metamorphosis with three stages that are the egg, nymph and adult. Eggs are laid in groups on plant stems and the underside of leaves. The nymph look very similar to the adult but have a rounder rather than shield shape body. The nymphs go through 5 instars before becoming an adult and this all happens in a 4 - 5 week period. A major problem in gardens is that the adult stink bug will overwinter in the garden under debris, boards, logs or even leaf litter. There are some species that the nymph will do the same.

Organic

A stink bugs diet in a garden can be devastating. They use there piercing mouth part to suck sap from the leaves, stems and fruit of plants and can cause injury to them. The stink bug actually begins it's life as a herbivores and then becomes a predator. As a predator it will overpower caterpillars and beetle larva and keep pest insects in check.

Organic Gardening - How to Control Stink Bugs on Tomatoes

The defense system against other predators is it's smell. They expel a foul smelling compound from there thoracic gland when threatened. This smell sends a chemical message to other stink bugs that there is danger in the area and it can also suppress the attack of harmful microorganisms. This scent also plays a role in the attraction of mates.

There are organic methods to aid in the control of the stink bug. These methods include companion planting, trap planting, washing and spraying.

Companion planting is one of the best methods to prevent the stink bug from getting into your garden. This is simply done by planting herbs and other natural deterrent plants with your crop that will repel stink bugs, like marigolds, chrysanthemums, garlic, lavender, mints and thyme.

Another method that will keep the stink bug off your plants and deter them from your garden is to simply wash the plants with straight water daily for about a week.

There are sprays that can also be made by mixing either vegetable oil, olive oil or even lavender oil with 1/2 water and spray your tomatoes.

Trap planting is a method that attracts the stink bug to a location away from your garden. The stink bugs is know to like the color yellow. Crops other that your common crops you plant in your garden like sunflowers, buckwheat, triticale, sorghum and millet are plants that will attract the stink bug to a location that you can deal with them.

Fall cleanup of the garden is very important in pest control in an organic garden. Leaving debris in the garden give them the perfect environment to overwinter.

Organic Gardening - How to Control Stink Bugs on Tomatoes

A environment friendly and healthy way of gardening. Organic Gardening is away of gardening in harmony with nature. Growing a healthy and productive crop in a way that is healthier for both you and the environment.

John Yazo

[http://www.organicheirloomgardening.com]

Organic Gardening - Tips You Should Know When Using Straw Mulch

There are many benefits in mulching your organic garden. Straw mulch is excellent for helping to retain moisture in soil by stopping the water from evaporating. It can be used to suppress weeds, but needs to be applied in a thick layer about four to six inches thick. Once the straw is applied it has to be soaked so that the wind wont blow it away when applied directly from a bale.

When using straw mulch fresh from a bale it is best used when shredded before applied to the garden and should be removed before tilling your soil. A thin layer of straw mulch will slow the spring time warming of the soil, removing the mulch and compost it after the growing season, then reapply new mulch after soil temperatures have warmed.

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Straw mulch can tie up nitrogen at the surface of soil during it's decomposition process. Due to this you should use straw around fruit trees and avoid using it around your annual plants or to avoid this from happening use already rotting straw. Leaving straw bales outdoors over the winter months will allow this rotting process to take place due to the wet and dry conditions of nature. This will also help to kill off any weed seeds that may be in the bales. Make sure when you apply straw you keep it fluffed up instead of it's compacted form that it comes in with a bale.

Organic Gardening - Tips You Should Know When Using Straw Mulch

Straw can be purchased at your local garden center. When purchasing straw make sure it is seed and weed free.

Organic Gardening - Tips You Should Know When Using Straw Mulch

A environment friendly and healthy way of gardening. Organic Gardening is away of gardening in harmony with nature. Growing a healthy and productive crop in a way that is healthier for both you and the environment.

John Yazo

[http://www.organicheirloomgardening.com]

Organic Gardening - How to Control Stink Bugs on Tomatoes

The stink bug is a common pest with tomato plants and other plants in the garden. I North America alone there are 250 species and worldwide there have been over 4,700 species described in almost 900 genera. They live throughout the world in our fields, meadows and yards and can be controlled by a few different methods in organic gardening.

It is the member of the bug family pentatomidae and easily recognize with having a shield like body. There life cycle like all hemipterans undergo simple metamorphosis with three stages that are the egg, nymph and adult. Eggs are laid in groups on plant stems and the underside of leaves. The nymph look very similar to the adult but have a rounder rather than shield shape body. The nymphs go through 5 instars before becoming an adult and this all happens in a 4 - 5 week period. A major problem in gardens is that the adult stink bug will overwinter in the garden under debris, boards, logs or even leaf litter. There are some species that the nymph will do the same.

Organic

A stink bugs diet in a garden can be devastating. They use there piercing mouth part to suck sap from the leaves, stems and fruit of plants and can cause injury to them. The stink bug actually begins it's life as a herbivores and then becomes a predator. As a predator it will overpower caterpillars and beetle larva and keep pest insects in check.

The defense system against other predators is it's smell. They expel a foul smelling compound from there thoracic gland when threatened. This smell sends a chemical message to other stink bugs that there is danger in the area and it can also suppress the attack of harmful microorganisms. This scent also plays a role in the attraction of mates.

There are organic methods to aid in the control of the stink bug. These methods include companion planting, trap planting, washing and spraying.

Companion planting is one of the best methods to prevent the stink bug from getting into your garden. This is simply done by planting herbs and other natural deterrent plants with your crop that will repel stink bugs, like marigolds, chrysanthemums, garlic, lavender, mints and thyme.

Another method that will keep the stink bug off your plants and deter them from your garden is to simply wash the plants with straight water daily for about a week.

There are sprays that can also be made by mixing either vegetable oil, olive oil or even lavender oil with 1/2 water and spray your tomatoes.

Trap planting is a method that attracts the stink bug to a location away from your garden. The stink bugs is know to like the color yellow. Crops other that your common crops you plant in your garden like sunflowers, buckwheat, triticale, sorghum and millet are plants that will attract the stink bug to a location that you can deal with them.

Fall cleanup of the garden is very important in pest control in an organic garden. Leaving debris in the garden give them the perfect environment to overwinter.

Organic Gardening - How to Control Stink Bugs on Tomatoes

A environment friendly and healthy way of gardening. Organic Gardening is away of gardening in harmony with nature. Growing a healthy and productive crop in a way that is healthier for both you and the environment.

John Yazo

http://www.organicheirloomgardening.com

Organic Gardening - Growing Yard Long Green Beans

Yard Long Green Beans, productive, tasty and unusual looking. These beans are a native to Africa and are an incredible heat tolerant plant that has a beautiful flower along with an attractive foliage. It is a great crop to include in your edible landscape on a trellis in your yard. These beans are also know by name as asparagus beans, Chinese beans, garter beans and snake bean.

These beans are from the same family as the cowpeas and the black-eye pea. It is an annual vine plant that can grow between 10 to 12 feet tall and prefers a warm soil and growing climate.

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Soil conditions that yard long green beans prefer is a loose, friable soil that is not to rich in nitrogen and has a ph level of between 5.5 - 7.5, but will tolerate acid soils. A soil that has a high nitrogen content can cause an abundant leaf growth that can cause a reduced productivity of the bean crop.

Raised beds or hills are the best method for growing this crop because of the fact that the soil warms quicker and the soil is looser to a deeper depth. Mixing compost or composted manure into the soil in the early spring to a depth of 8 to 10 inches will improve the soils structure and help to boost the soils fertility.

Sow seeds directly into the garden after all dangers of frost have passed. This is a warm weather crop and will not thrive in cool temperatures. Plant seeds 2 inches deep and 3 to 4 inches apart in loose soils and 1 inch deep in heavier soils. Once the seeds are planted water deeply and keep the soil moist throughout the entire growing season to have a high yielding productive crop. Once the seedling have emerged you can thin the plants to 6-12 inches apart.

Harvesting can start about 2 months from the time the seeds were planted and continuously throughout the summer months to fall.

Organic Gardening - Growing Yard Long Green Beans

A environment friendly and healthy way of gardening. Organic Gardening is away of gardening in harmony with nature. Growing a healthy and productive crop in a way that is healthier for both you and the environment.

John Yazo

http://www.organicheirloomgardening.com

Organic Gardening - Do Grass Clippings Make a Good Garden Mulch?

The topic of grass clippings to be used as a mulch is a very common question. It is an organic matter and will add benefits to the garden if used properly, but there are things to watch out for.

Understanding the basic function of mulching is very important when choosing a mulch. When applied properly it conserves moisture from both rainfall and other watering practices. You need a mulch that won't mat down and shed water, it needs to be a loose, course texture and a structure to allow water to penetrate through to get to the soil. It also needs to be able to maintain a thickness of about three inches without matting to be effective. A three inch layer of mulch is a good thickness to apply for weed suppression along with serving as an insulator to keep the garden soil warmer in the cold weather and cooler in the hot seasons to protect the root system of especially shallow rooted plants.

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Organic mulches are a beneficial mulch to use because of there ability to add nutrients back into the soil as they decay, along with helping to improve the soils structure by creating an environment for the organisms that are beneficial to your gardens soil to survive.

Grass clippings are a common yard waste that shouldn't be or shouldn't exist if proper lawn care is practiced. Mowing a lawn at the proper height, 2/12 inches to 3 1/2 inches in with cool season grass and 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches for warm weather grass and mowing frequently by only cutting one third of the grass plants total height with a mulching blade on the lawnmower will allow the clippings to be fine enough to decompose in place.By allowing these clippings to decompose in place they will add nutrients back into the soil for your grass to benefit from. Grass clippings alone will provide about twenty five percent of the nutrients that grass needs alone, they contain about four percent nitrogen, two percent potassium and one percent phosphorus.

Now about using grass clippings for mulch in your garden. The first concern is contamination from insecticides, weed killers and other chemical fertilizers, especially if they have been applied to the grass within a three week period of when you want to use them. There are insecticides that are not to be applied to vegetable plants. Compaction is another problem with grass clippings. They tend to compact tightly and get soggy. They don't have a loose structure to allow for water to penetrate to the soil easily. When applied in a thick layer, grass clippings will heat up during the process of decomposing. This can damage the root system of certain plants, change the soil temperature that can lead to poor plant growth, and the possibility of disease development. The best method when using grass clippings as a mulch is to compost them first by the method of hot composting.

Organic Gardening - Do Grass Clippings Make a Good Garden Mulch?

A environment friendly and healthy way of gardening. Organic Gardening is away of gardening in harmony with nature. Growing a healthy and productive crop in a way that is healthier for both you and the environment.

John Yazo

http://www.organicheirloomgardening.com

Basics of Organic Gardening - 4 Most Ignored Basics For You Organic Gardeners

Organic Gardening had became a need for healthy food. Consuming organic food not only helps you, but also for the future generation. That is arguably one of the strongest reason why more and more people are engaging in organic gardening.

Engaging in organic gardening is good, but whether or not your basics are there. That is something debatable.

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This article will focus on the basics of organic gardening which many do not understand, sadly.

So, what exactly is organic garden?

The basic rule of organic garden is to plant and grow your crops without the obvious use of fertilizers, chemical pesticides and other synthetic products, making it 100 percent all-natural. In other words, chemical free so that it doesn't harm or in some cases, kill humans.

Think simple. Organic Gardening is easy but people tend to make it a lot more complicated. Below are some basics of organic gardening that many simply ignore or don't know.

Basics #1: Healthy Soil

Ask any gardener out there if having a healthy soil is important. Definitely it is! A healthy soil should be filled with nitrogen so that the plant can be healthy.

A good location of sunlight and air constitutes to healthy growth.

Clay soil is the most ideal type in organic gardening, compared to normal sand and garden soil. They are richer in nutrients and best at retaining water for replenishing plants.

A word of advice though, always ensure that the soil you are using hits a pH value of 6.8 for optimal healthy growth.

Don't panic if you can't get healthy soil. Basics #2 should fill you in.

Basics #2: Organic Matters Are VERY Important

Organic matters will provide high nutrients for the soil. These nutrients serves as a NEED for the plants. Without them, they die. Simple. Same goes with water.

What are organic matters, you may ask..

Organic matters can be almost anything that is decaying or animal waste that is mixed together with soil.

Other organic matters includes, grass clippings, dried leaves.

More would be scraps from your kitchen (vegetables stalks, peels of fruits, fish heads be in fresh or cooked, etc.)

Add these organic matters on top of your plants so that they can absorb the nutrients in well.

Basic #3: Controlling And Maintaining your garden against pests and diseases

Your main aim of organic gardening is to maintain your organic garden without the use of synthetic chemicals, going all-natural products.

Many people make the mistake of using chemicals and shamefully spread that they own an organic garden.

Since the used of chemicals are banned. You should then go and familiarize yourself with the basic natural organic methods and knowledge on how to deal with and prevent these pests from lurking around or even breeding in your garden.

The common pests you should take note are

• Aphids
• Army worms
• Cabbage worms
• Grasshoppers
• Slugs
• Snails
• Thrips
• Asparagus Beetle
• More...

Never fail to take time off to take care of your garden. Inspect on them, daily if you can, making sure to spot any sign of plant illness or pesky pests that you can prevent in the early stages.

Otherwise, don't blame me if you own an "insect-ic" garden instead of an organic garden.

Basic #4: Understand Your Climate For Your Ideal Plants

It's really very simple! Always know what you can plant! that's really one of the basics for organic gardening. Don't plant a crop that is not for this season but! Plant something suitable for the climate.

Always read the description on the seeds before purchasing from your garden stores. Don't waste your time and money on something that can't grow.

All in all, you should understand at least 4 basics of organic gardening. Having a healthy soil is important, feeding your soil with organic matters are essential, spending your time to take care of your organic garden to spot early troubles and understanding your climate for your suitable plants.

Basics of Organic Gardening - 4 Most Ignored Basics For You Organic Gardeners

If you like these organic gardening tips, click the link in the next paragraph for more.

Also, quickly download Aaron's FREE "Fast Organic Gardening Package" that shows you how to start an organic garden and maintain easily! http://www.FastOrganicGardening.com/

Organic Gardening Guide - The Basic Elements You Need For a Healthy Garden

Having a garden is such a joy but building and managing is is so much better. There are many types of gardening styles and methods but probably the most popular and earth-friendly method is the organic gardening method or style. Organic gardening is basically the planting, caring, and harvesting of plants, crops, trees, and other flora using only organic substances such as natural soil, water, organic fertilizers, and complementary organic materials. In this organic gardening guide, you will learn more about the basic elements needed in order to produce a splendid and healthy garden for you and your friends to enjoy.

Basically, when it comes to organic gardening, there are three basic elements you need to remember and these three are: the Water, the Weather, and the Fertilizer.

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It is extremely vital that you provide your organic water with enough water to help it stay moisturized every single day. Many plants and crops die due to the negligence of watering daily. Also, do not over water them. Plants and crops may also die from drowning because too much water traps oxygen particles in the soils thus leaving the plants and crops unable to breathe.

It is very important to know and consider the weather or climate of the place you will plant the garden. Only choose plants, crops, or any vegetative matter that can survive and thrive in your local temperature. This is very important as no matter how much time and effort you place in the garden, if the plants cannot withstand the weather, they will most certainly die.

The last element of this organic gardening guide is the use of the fertilizer. Inorganic fertilizers are a big no when it come to organic gardening as it produces long-term negative effects with continual application. Due to its high salt content, inorganic fertilizers may cause certain biological pathways such as water to be blocked by the salts taken in by the plant. That causes the plant to die. The best alternative is to make use of organic fertilizers which can be bought at your local gardening stores. You can also make use of dung or fecal matter as your organic fertilizer. It really helps a lot!

Those three are the basic elements you should have and be knowledgeable about. They are the most vital organic gardening guide to keep in mind. Just follow and consider them and you are sure to have a healthy organic garden.

Organic Gardening Guide - The Basic Elements You Need For a Healthy Garden

Melissa McKyler is a work at home mom and has been organic gardening for several years. She loves having fresh safely grown veggies to feed her family and enjoys sharing her knowledge about how to do that with others. For more information about learning to garden using an organic gardening guide [http://www.organicgardenanswers.com/organic-gardening-guide] be sure to visit [http://www.organicgardenanswers.com].

Organic Gardening with Perennial Vegetables

All organic gardeners love the time of year when the last frost have been, the soil is warming up and the daffodils alert us to the fact that spring is here. It's time to start planting your annual vegetable garden.

But what a fantastic supplement to the garden would it be if there were vegetables available that don't need to be replanted each year? You plant them once, then feed and water them, then you can just keep picking them year after year.

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Well, there are vegetables that you plant in a permanent position and they provide you with food on an ongoing basis. A perennial is defined as having a life cycle lasting more that two years. They generally die back during the cold winter and emerge the following spring. So a perennial vegetable is an edible plant that comes back each year. This way you have less to do, you disturb the soil less and your perennials become more drought and frost hardy as their roots grow deeper every year.

Soil Preparation

All perennials will benefit from soil preparation that increases the nutrient levels and the moisture holding capacity of the garden bed. Adding humus or compost to the soil will greatly improve growing conditions in heavy soils that dry out in summer, as well as lighter soils. Improving the soil will also increase the life and productivity of your perennial plants.

* Dig a hole in the soil twice the depth of your plant and fill with water

* Place a layer of rich organic material or compost in the hole

* Backfill the remainder of the hole with humus enriched soil. When this breaks down it provides a nutrient rich layer below the soil that will also have increased water holding capacity, maintaining the moisture available to the roots of these perennial plants throughout the dry summer months.

* Spread a light layer of organic fertiliser on top of the soil to help quickly develop a good root system

Perennial Vegetables to try bearing in mind your zone as some of these perennials are not frost tolerant:

Artichokes, Asparagus, Beans (perennial), Broccoli (perennial), Cardoon, Chard (perennial), Chicory, Chives, Chokos, Corn Salad, Dandelions, Fennel, French sorrel, Garlic Chives, Ginger, Good King Henry, Japanese hornwort, Jerusalem artichokes, Lemon Balm, Lovage, New Zealand spinach, Purslane, Rhubarb, Rocket, Sorrel, Sweet potato, Tamarillo, Walking Onions

Perennial vegetables are a perfect addition to an edible landscape gardening plan or permaculture garden. Many are very attractive and make excellent feature plants.

Remember that since they will grow in the same soil for many years, it is vitally important that they are given a sunny position with well-drained soil full of organic matter. Planting perennial vegetables is a truly rewarding investment in your organic garden and you kitchen.

Organic Gardening with Perennial Vegetables

Hi, I am an avid organic gardener and am known by my friends as the recycling queen. I live on a small country property in South Australia.
It is my mission to encourage as many people as possible to start organic gardening ( I know you'll become addicted). This will improve both our individual lives and the wellbeing of our personal and global environments.
Anyone can grow their own healthy food with Organic Gardening - Click here to get started

Happy Organic Gardening, Healthy Living...
Julie Williams
http://www.1stoporganicgardening.com

Aquaponics - Organic Gardening

Aquaponics - Organic Gardening Plus Fresh Fish

If you are an organic gardener or looking to start a garden you may want to consider designing an aquaponics home system. The combination of aquaculture and hydroponics has created a unique marriage where you can grow fresh organic vegetables and raise fish at the same time!

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In a nutshell the way the system works is your fish produce waste which of course is toxic to them but plant food for your vegetables. This creates a unique situation for plants and fish because they help one another survive, your part of the system is to monitor the water for ph levels, water levels, temperature and feed your fish.

Another major benefit of an aquaponics system is that it does not require a vast amount of real estate to operate; you can have a small table top unit in your basement or garage. However if you want to get more aggressive you can construct a much larger system in your backyard that would not only feed your family but you would be able to sell the excess produce and fish or give it to a charity to help people in your area.

There are a variety of vegetables that will thrive in your grow beds and several different types of fish including tilapia, trout and perch to name a few. There have been studies that show you can grow your plants ten times faster and use far less water than an average soil based garden. So if you are in a location where soil and water are a precious commodity then an aquaponics system is your perfect solution.

Designing your own system can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it could be as simple as a pet store aquarium in a spare room with some goldfish, with water being pumped into gravel filled pots positioned above the tank, draining through the gravel back into the aquarium by gravity. Once you have tried something simple and are confident of your technique you can progress up to a larger system with multiple grow beds and high stocking densities of fish.

If you are planting an organic garden you need to put some thought into it to get the best results, the same is true with aquaponics garden it would be beneficial to invest in a how to guide to avoid any mistakes that could kill your fish or plants.

Aquaponics - Organic Gardening

Does the idea of creating an aquaponic system appeal to you? Then don't delay get started today!
Click here to learn more about building a aquaponics system.
http://www.squidoo.com/aquaponics-guide

Organic Gardening Principles

The reasons why you should learn organic gardening principles are many. It might be because you want to start a new garden, but you do not want to damage the environment. Maybe you want to transform your current garden. You may want to serve some delicious, organic fruits and vegetables to friends and family. Whatever your motivation maybe, you should always consider certain things when planning a garden.

Your goal as an organic gardener should be to produce high quality products while using no outside resources. Following organic principles, means you should not use any nutrients, fertilizers, or pesticides. Better yet you should avoid using water tap, instead you should use rain water. You should try using natural materials, it's a challenge, but it will worth your while.

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You should start a compost heap instead of throwing away vegetables and other waste food. This is one of the best way to manufacture your own nutrients for your garden. You will discover that there is not really shortage of materials for you compost heap. When the lawn is mown, all of the grass should be put into the heap. All of your waste food should be added to the pile, and once it is ready you can spread it on your garden and watch the plants grow.

Some people use chickens as part of their organic gardening. The allow the chickens to roam their garden. Chickens are easy to sustain. The will spread there manure in your garden, and you probably will never have to buy them food. The use of maggots is popular. Everything that cannot go into the compost heap such as leaf over meat products and dead animals, could be place in the maggot bin, and in a couple of weeks it will be full of maggots that you can feed your chickens.

With these systems in place, almost none of your leftovers are put to waste. You simply have to start thinking along the lines of saving all of the nutrients you can, and converting them into energy that your garden can use to grow healthy, delicious fruits. It's a cheaper way to maintain a garden, it's healthier for the environment, and it creates better, more natural products.

With this system in place, none of your leftover go to waste. You should now be thinking along the lines of saving all the nutrients you can, and converting then into energy for use in your garden, so as to enable you to have a healthy garden. It's a cheaper way to maintain a garden, and it is healthier for the environment. It also produces a better product which is of course natural.

Organic Gardening Principles

Juni Daniel is a freelance writer and the moderator of the website Organic Gardening Tips And Benefits

Gardening With Organic Fertilizers

WHAT IS ORGANIC FERTILIZER?

Basically, inorganic fertilizers are made from synthetic, manufactured chemicals, and organic fertilizers are made from naturally occurring organic material. This is a bit of an oversimplification, however, and sometimes the line between organic and inorganic fertilizers can get a bit blurry. For example, naturally occurring minerals such as limestone, saltpeter, and mine rock phosphate, although technically inorganic (they come from rocks, after all), have been used as fertilizers for centuries and are just as safe as organic fertilizers.

Organic

Organic fertilizers are generally created as other organic material that rots and decays. As plant and animal matter rots, the organic material breaks down into its component water and minerals. The resulting biomass is very high in nutrient quality.

The most common example of this is compost, which many backyard gardeners make themselves from organic waste, dead leaves, grass clippings, leftover food, etc. Another example is animal manure, which is also very high in nutrient content and has been used in agriculture as a fertilizer for thousands of years. Finally, some plants are used directly as fertilizers, like seaweed and peat moss.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH INORGANIC CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS?

Many inorganic fertilizers contain synthesized chemicals that do not occur naturally in nature, and thus can become harmful. The introduction of such chemicals, if used extensively over time, can throw off the local environment and ecosystem.

The most common form of chemical pollution occurs when it rains, and the synthetic chemical fertilizers get washed out of the soil into the rainwater runoff. This agricultural runoff flows into the ponds and streams, where they frequently kill the fish and other water life. These chemicals also eventually leech down into the groundwater that people and animals drink.

Finally, some crops will absorb these synthetic chemicals into their plant matter as they grow. When people buy such produce and eat it, these chemicals are introduced to their bodies. One meal of such produce may be harmless, but over a lifetime of eating such produce, these synthetic chemicals can build up in the body.

IS ORGANIC FERTILIZER REALLY BETTER?

Obviously, the introduction of unnatural chemicals into the local environment is not a problem with organic fertilizers, which are made from other naturally occurring organic plant and animal matter.

In terms of encouraging crop grow, however, organic fertilizers are just as good as synthetic fertilizers. Whereas synthetic fertilizers are concentrated, organic fertilizers are more diluted throughout a large amount of biomass. On the one hand, this means you have to use more organic fertilizer to achieve the same effect as a smaller amount of synthetic fertilizer. On the other hand, however, this means that the nutrients are released into the soil gradually, at a slower, more consistent rate over the course of the crops growth cycle. This prevents the boom-and-bust cycle that some synthetic fertilizers can create in crops.

Finally, a 32-year study in Sweden between organic and synthetic fertilizers found that, although both greatly encouraged crop growth over unfertilized fields, organic fertilizers encouraged a higher yield than synthetic fertilizers (65% compared to 50%).

We hope this article has answered some of your questions about organic fertilizers. This article, however, is just the tip of the iceberg, there is much more to learn. If you want to try using organic fertilizers, we suggest doing more research so you can find just the right fertilizer for your garden.

Disclaimer:This article is intended for information about organic fertilizers, farming and gardening only. It should not be regarded as scientific or expert advice in its own right. The information has been taken from secondary sources and is given here in good faith. We recommend you conduct your own research with expert & scientific sources prior to making purchases or applying any technique mentioned here.

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