Learn About Organic Gardening By N. W. Williamson

 

There is a great selection of books available to help you learn about organic gardening and these are a great starting point for anybody who wants to begin gardening in the organic way. Essentially this means avoiding the use of any harmful chemical pesticides or fertilizers. Also, if you want to grow a truly organic garden, you will need to begin with seeds or bedding plants that have been already been grown organically.

There are certain aspects that you should look out for to help you learn about organic gardening. You don't need to choose a book that gives a lot of information about different plants, as you will be able to get this type of information from any gardening book or sites on the Internet. What you would need from an organic gardening book is information that is specific to tending your garden naturally.

Pest Control

Firstly, you need to find out some information on pest control. This is a particularly important subject because you will want to find pest control methods that are less harmful to the environment. As an organic gardener, you are very unlikely to use any of the common pesticides and sprays that can be found in garden centers or nurseries.

Thankfully, there are natural methods to kill certain pests and even better, there are numerous methods of keeping pests out of your garden in the first place so you don't have to kill them. These methods include constructing your plant beds in such a way that will deter pests, adding specific plants or vegetables to your garden that pests do not like, and proactively encouraging birds, ladybugs and other plant-friendly insects that will feed on the pests.

The method of pest control you decide to use will really depend on the range and types of plants that you decide to grow, and any good organic gardening book will include detailed advice about the different types of pest control that can be used for different plants.

Planting Plan

The way you plant your organic garden is very important for the health of the plants. One aspect that you should definitely look into in more detail when planning your organic garden is about setting up a system of 'companion planting'. In this system you place plants close together that support each other and thrive when planted next to each other. You will be able to find a list of companion plants in many organic gardening books or on many sites on the Internet with a little searching.

Your plan should also cover details about where plants should best be placed to cover the appearance of your garden as well as practical aspects. For example, there will be certain plants that need a lot of care and are therefore best planted close to the house. Also, think about grouping those plants and vegetables that you will be harvesting often, such as herbs, so that it is easier to replant certain areas at the same time. Perennials can also be kept to the side so that they do not get disturbed when you are harvesting.

Fertilizer

When you learn about organic gardening you should also gather information on how to put goodness back into the soil. There are various methods of achieving this, such as plant rotation and composting as well as using store bought fertilizer or manure.

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For more information on how to set up your own successful organic vegetable garden, get your FREE Guide on "All You Need To Know About Organic Gardening" at >http://OrganicGardening360.com

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Vegetable Gardening Tips By Nicky Pilkington

 

With the costs of living rising all the time, it may be possible to save money and increase your family's health at the same time by growing vegetables in your backyard.

It's a good idea to choose your favourite vegetables to grow and plan beds for early, middle of the season and late varieties.

Most vegetables require at least 6 hours of sunlight per day, some need 8. Some quick growers like lettuce and radish can be grown between the rows of plants that take longer to mature, like beet or corn, thus making full use of the area available.

Throughout dry periods, vegetable gardens need extra watering. Most vegetables benefit from an inch or more of water each week, especially when they are fruiting.

During the growing season watch for insect pests. If you discover a bug problem early it will be much easier, but be careful to not use pesticides once the vegetable are close to being picked unless it becomes an absolute necessity. Organic gardening is one healthy and environment-friendly option. Once you have reaped your crop, put the vegetable waste into your compost pile so that it can be recycled for next spring.

It is important to protect your vegetable garden from wild animals looking for a tasty treat. Make sure your garden is surrounded by a fence that will keep out dogs, rabbits, and other animals. The harm done by wandering animals during one season can equal the cost of a fence. A fence also can serve as a frame for peas, beans, tomatoes, and other crops that need support.

Protection is needed in order for your vegetable garden to yield a bountiful harvest. Hard work will pay dividends if necessary precautions have been made.

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About The Author: Find more about gardening and some useful gardening tips at About Gardening.

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Healthy Eating - Green Leaves And Lettuce By Eric J. Smith

 

Lettuce is botanically recognised as Lactuca satvia from the family Asteraceae. It is perhaps, the world's most popular green leaf salad vegetable. The milky solution that oozes from the crispy base end of lettuce was the rise of both the botanical (Latin) name for lettuce as well as the common name. "lac" is the Latin term for Milk.

Both the Ancient Egyptians and The Ancient Greeks have used lettuce throughout history. It was also cultivated in Rome. From These ancient origins, it is believed Christopher Columbus introduced Lettuce to other major parts of the world during his voyages.

Lettuce is used fresh and raw in most parts of the world, though the Chinese have several recipes for using it cooked. I was introduced to Chinese lettuce soup as a kid while watching a cooking program on TV.

There are several different types of lettuce used and grown commonly in many countries. Some green leaf vegetables such as Rocket and watercress are referred to as lettuce but are not true lettuce.

The two main groupings of lettuce are the "hearting" varieties such as iceberg and "loose leaf" such as Mesclun. Loose leaf is self-descriptive. Although hearting lettuces typically form a heart up to the size of a soccer ball, they can also be picked as the leaves develop.

Lettuce is commonly served on sandwiches and rolls with meats and other vegetables. Lettuce adds green to burgers and wraps and is common on burgers sold at fast food restaurants.

Large lettuce leaves make excellent wraps for holding grated carrot, cheese, boiled egg and tomato. It makes an ideal alternative to bread or wraps.

Lettuce juice is popular amongst diehard health focused people, but I prefer it as a food with other vegetable leaves such as mixed salads.

Lettuce is high in nutrients and contains very few calories. It is high in water and ideal for anyone on a lot fat intake diet. There are no known extraordinary health benefits of lettuce but it is believed to assist with filtration of the blood and providing a bulk for clearer bowel elimination.

Wilted lettuce in the refrigerator can be brought back to life by soaking in a dish of water with a couple of ice blocks. Lettuce should be consumed within a few days of picking for ultimate freshness, its easy to grow in the garden so you can pick leaves off as you need them.

There are all year varieties that can handle most climatic conditions except snow and drought. Soil should be fertile and free draining. Lettuce can be mulched with old grass hay or pea straw.

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Eric J. Smith describes himself as being "Passionate about Organics". He is committed to Educating people on the importance reducing the chemical load on our bodies and the Environment. Eric is Married and has 2 Children. Eric and his wife Narelle represent Miessence Certified Organic Skin Care, Cosmetics, Home & Nutritional Products. www.buy-organic-products.com.

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Potted Vegetable Garden By Karl Donald

 

Having a potted vegetable garden for some is the most perfect and convenient way of having a vegetable garden but without all of the hassle of having a regular vegetable garden. The potted vegetable garden is handy in the respect it can be moved anywhere without any fuss or problems and can be grown almost anywhere regardless of weather or not you have a back garden at all i.e. if you live in a flat.

Potted vegetable gardens are often used to cultivate herbs and are also often the main staple of a traditional kitchen garden. Potted gardens are also perfect for those of us that still want a vegetable garden but find that their lives are very demanding which leaves them limited time to fully commit themselves to growing a full scale vegetable garden. A potted vegetable garden can be placed almost anywhere that there is sunlight and as long as you have enough time to rotate the pots once a day you can grow almost anything!

Most people start with several medium planting bowls that have a single drainage hole at the bottom. This hole needs to be covered, some people find that using broken ceramics are the best and it is also another way to recycle your broken plates and cups! Over the top of this a loose layer of gravel should be placed no higher than half an inch. Fill it with some good quality compost or compost you have managed to create yourself. Now that you have made sure that you have the right place for them to be situated with the correct amount of sunlight and have prepared the pots for planting, we need to begin with placing the seeds inside the pots.

With your finger push a little hole into the center of each pot and wiggle about so that a good depth is reached. Take your finger out and gently water the hole before putting in the seeds. Open up the packet and sprinkle the seeds into the hole. Collapse the hole, and gentle pat the soil over the seeds, not to tightly I must add, but gently. Again water the seeds with a small sprinkle of water. It is best to mark the pots in someway so that you know which one is growing which herb or vegetable. Place out into the sun where you choose for them to be and once a week turn the pots slightly and water them. Some people add growing intensifiers but that is a personal choice and up to you.

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For more free vegetable gardening tips and vegetable gardening reports visit our blog here: http://startingvegetablegardens.net.

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Safe Pest Control Tips By Nicky Pilkington

 

Pest control must be done with utmost consideration to safety; safety in terms of the plants, animals and humans. This holds especially true for those with vegetable and organic gardens.

The main purpose of growing vegetables organically will be defeated if they become tainted with pest control chemicals.

Here are a few long-term maintenance tips to make pest control less damaging and more environmentally friendly.

1. Use the physical pest control process.

This may be accomplished through picking grubs off by hand, creating barriers and traps and plugging holes. Snails can be found hiding in damp places under rocks and towrds the base of those plants with straplike foliage.

2. Apply biological pest control.

Encourage predatory insects such as green lacewings and dragonflies to feed on aphids and other pests that attack your plants. You can do this by placing a shallow bowl of water in the garden. Dragonflies especially will hover around water. Bacterial insecticides such as B. thuringiensis could also be used against caterpillars.

3. Only as a last resort should we turn to chemical pest control.

Organic pest control methods can be successful and the ingredients for many of the recipes can be found in the kitchen cupboards. If chemical sprays are really necessary, try and find the least-toxic. These include insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils, dehydrating dusts, etc.

4. Consider the use of safer pest control substitutes.

Recipes for alternative pest control include the following:
Against Green Aphids and Mites - Mix 1 tablespoon of liquid soap and a cup of vegetable oil. Dilute a teaspoon of this solution in a cup of water and spray on aphids and mites.
Against Cockroaches - Dusts of boric acid can be applied to cracks or entry points of these insects. Bay leaves on pantry shelves could also help in warding off these critters.
Make sure that the chemicals you use are made specifically for the insects you are targeting.

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Find more about gardening and some useful gardening tips at About Gardening.

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10 Tips For Growing Tomatoes By Glen Barnhardt

 

Growing your own tomatoes can be both fun and healthy. Keeping your plants organic by using only organic fertilizers and pesticides will result in better health for you and your whole family. Once you have grown your own tomatoes and see the difference in what you get from your own garden vs the grocery store you will never go back. Here are 10 important tips when growing your own tomatoes from seeds.

1. Don't Crowd the Seeds.
When Growing Tomato Plants from seeds, you want to leave enough room for the plants to branch out. To many plants placed too close together will inhibit there growth. Once the seeds grow and the first true leaves appear transplant each plant to 4 inch Pots. You will do this in about two weeks.

2. Tomatoes Love Light.
If you are growing your plants indoors you will want to use grow lights. The plants will require 12 to 14 hours of light a day. Place your grow lights about 2 to 3 inches from the plants. Tomatoes love the light so you will want to plant them in the sunniest part of your garden.

3. A Cool Breeze is Nice.
Tomatoes love to sway in the breeze. When growing them indoors it's a good idea to put a fan on them twice a day for 10 to 15 minutes. This helps to promote strong stems.

4. Tomatoes Love the heat.
When you get ready to plant your seedlings in the garden warm soil is the best method. You can place black plastic or weed block in the area prior to planting. This will heat the soil. You should do this 1 or 2 weeks before you plant. This warm soil will promote earlier production.

5. Plant them Deep.
When you plant your tomatoes plant them deep. Plant them up to the first leaves. Tomato plants will grow roots right out of the stems and this will give a good root system for your plants. You can also dig a small trench and lay the plant sideways. Don't worry the plant will grow toward the sun and come out straight. I like to use tomato cages to help support my plants once they have grown tall. It's a good idea to put the cages into the ground first so that you don't end up puncturing a healthy stem.

6. Mulch is Good.
Placing Mulch around the plants is good as it keeps the soil born diseases from splashing up on the stems. Mulch also retains the water and helps to conserve water. Since tomatoes like the soil warm mulch can also cause the soil to be cooler so using a black rubber mulch works better for the warm loving plants like tomatoes. Since I grow only organic tomatoes I use no mulch or only organic materials for my mulch.

7. Remove the bottom Leaves.
Once the plants grow to about 3 inches tall remove all the leaves from the stem up to about 1 inch from the soil. This will help prevent fungus from developing at the base of your plants. Spraying your plants weekly with compost tea also seems to be effective at warding off fungus diseases.

8. Prune/Pinch Gives More Tomatoes.
Pinch and remove suckers that develop in the crotch joint of two branches. The crotch joint is where the branch joins the stem or two branches split. They won't bear fruit and will take energy away from the rest of the plant. But go easy on pruning the rest of the plant. You can thin leaves to allow the sun to reach the ripening fruit, but it's the leaves that are photosynthesizing and creating the sugars that give flavor to your tomatoes. So take it easy with those pruning shears.

9. Timely Watering.
Tomatoes like regular watering. You never want the plants to begin to wilt before you water. Timely watering is a must. Water the plants deeply and regularly especially while the plants are developing. If you miss a watering don't over water to compensate. This will cause root rot and eventually kill your plants. When fruit begins to ripen cutting back on the watering will cause the sugars to concentrate and give a sweeter tomato. Don't cut back too much though or the plant will drop it's blossoms and fruit.

10. Getting them to Set Tomatoes.
There are two varieties of tomatoes - determinate and indeterminate. Determinate tomatoes are varieties that grow to a fixed mature size and ripen all their fruit in a short period, usually about 2 weeks. Once this first flush of fruit has ripened, the plant will begin to diminish in vigor and will set little to no new fruit.

Determinate tomato varieties are often referred to as "bush" tomatoes, because they do not continue growing in size throughout the growing season. They are generally smaller than indeterminate tomatoes, with most growing to a compact 4-5 feet.

Pruning and removing suckers from determinate tomatoes is not recommended. Despite their compact size, staking or caging is still recommended, since the concentrated fruit set can contribute considerable weight to the branches. Many paste or Roma tomatoes are determinate varieties. Some others bred to be determinate include: Celebrity, Mar-globe and Rutgers. Growing determinate variety tomatoes makes good sense when you want a large amount of tomatoes all at one time, to make tomato sauce for example.

Indeterminate tomatoes are actually vines that continue growing in length throughout the growing season. Also referred to as "vining" tomatoes, indeterminate tomato varieties will also continue to set and ripen fruit until killed off by frost. Tomato growers seldom allow tomato plants to actually vine. Indeterminate tomato plants will require substantial staking or caging to support what can become a large (6-10') heavy plant. However, tomato plants can easily be grown as a hanging vine. This eliminates the need for support, keeps the fruit up off the ground and permits the plant to grow in an open manner, allowing sunlight to reach throughout the plant.

The majority of tomato varieties are indeterminate including most heirlooms and most cherry types. Other indeterminate tomatoes include: 'Beefsteak', 'Big Boy' and 'Brandy-wine'. Early producing varieties like, 'Celebrity' and 'Early Girl', are also indeterminate. However since they tend to mature earlier and die back before the end of the season, they are sometimes labeled semi-determinate. Heirloom tomatoes are all indeterminate varieties and the plants get so large and heavy they can break the stakes holding them. You can get indeterminate type tomatoes to set fruit earlier by pinching off the tips of the main stems in early summer.

In conclusion:
Growing your own tomatoes is both easy and healthy. Start early in the season, follow these 10 simple steps and enjoy the best tasting tomatoes you have ever eaten.

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About The Author:
Glen Barnhardt is an Internet Marketer and Programmer, a lifestyle which allows him free time to grow his own organic fruits and vegetables. Glen studies gardening, health and nutrition and advocates organic farming.

To find out more about growing your own fruits and vegetables you can visit his Best Organic Gardening Secrets Blog here: http://www.BestOrganicGardeningSecrets.com

You can also learn about organic gardening by following Glen on Twitter: http://twitter.com/OrganicGardenr where he tweets about his daily gardening experiences.

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Key Points To Success With Your Organic Vegetable Garden

 

Many people across the developed world are looking for new and rewarding ways to go green and avoid the pitfalls of modern food cultivation and supply. Organic gardening has become a popular method for ordinary people to grow their own vegetables, using only natural methods of fertilization and pest-control.

Food grown in this way is not only more healthy, but also tastes better. Organic vegetables and fruit are more nutritional, contain a higher vitamin content and have no chemical residue. Growing your own food without chemicals is also better for the environment.

There's also the fact to consider, that if you grow your own fruit and vegetables, you know what's in them.

Organic vegetable gardening is no harder than traditional gardening methods once you have the basics in place. I have prepared some key points that will help you to success with your organic vegetable garden.

More attention needs to be given to the soil than with a traditional gardening approach. Turn the soil regularly, whilst adding and mixing-in compost. Compost consists largely of leaves, vegetable scraps, dead flowers and grass clippings. Compost also retains moisture, has nutrients, acts as a natural pest-controller and will provide most of the materials necessary for your organic vegetable garden to grow and flourish.

I would suggest making your own compost heap at the bottom of the garden, or in some out-of-the-way corner. Add all of your crass cuttings, other garden and kitchen-food waste to the mix. Be careful not to add too much animal or fish remains.

Once you have your compost ready, spread it over the top soil. Make sure that the layer is about two inches thick. The compost will supply a large part of the minerals and other nutrients that your plants need to grow.

There are many organic fertilizers and other organic garden products on offer. If you are a vegetarian I suggest you check the label, because some of them contain animal products like fish oil, bone and leather.

Make sure that the seeds or plants that you buy are organic. These are easily available to buy online if you have trouble purchasing them in your local area.

If you are starting your vegetable garden from seeds, these will need to be planted either indoors or in a greenhouse. Plant them in a container with plenty of organic soil. Make sure that they have plenty of light and water, but don't over-water them as they can die easily. The soil just needs to be moist.

When your seedlings have two leafs on them it is time to transfer them to a bigger container. Consider potting your plants in biodegradable pots, as these can be planted straight into the soil.

As I have already said, your compost will act as a natural pest-controller. Organic gardening, however, allows for a certain level of insect and pest activity. Consider actively enticing insect predators to your crops, such as ladybugs and birds, by keeping a water source nearby. There are also some household items that you can use, such as garlic and hot peppers, to keep insects away.

These key points should guide you to success with your organic vegetable garden. When you harvest your crop, you will know that not only is the taste far superior, but that your vegetables are much more healthy than traditional methods of growing food.

Beginner's Tips To Organic Gardening By Denise Villani

 

Organic gardening is basically gardening without using synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. This can make certain aspects difficult, such as controlling disease, insects, and weeds. Organic gardening follows the essential principles of organic agriculture in soil building and conservation, pest management, and species preservation.

Organic gardening also requires more attention to the soil and the many needs of plants. An organic gardener strives to work in harmony with natural systems and to continually replenish any resources the garden consumes. In essence, organic gardening begins with attention to the soil.

Gardeners need to add organic matter to the soil regularly in order to keep the soil productive. Compost is essential to the health and well being of plants grown organically. Compost is usually made from leaves, dead flowers, vegetable scraps, fruit rinds, grass clippings, manure, and similar items. The ideal soil has a dark color, sweet smell, and is full of earthworms.

Organic gardening relies heavily on the natural breakdown of organic matter, using techniques like green manure and composting, to replace nutrients taken from the soil by previous crops.

Green manure is a cover crop grown to add nutrients and organic matter to the soil. Typically, a green manure crop is grown for a specific period, and then plowed under and mixed into the soil. Green manure usually performs multiple functions including soil improvement and soil protection.

Compost is the decomposed remnants of organic materials such as plant wastes, grass clippings, fall leaves and vegetable scraps from your kitchen. Compost is a granular mixture that will hold moisture, has nutrients, and provides material in which most plants can grow.

As far as pest control, organic gardening tends to tolerate some pest populations in the short term. Organic pest control involves the cumulative effect of many techniques, including allowing for an acceptable level of pest damage and even encourages enticing insect predators, such as ladybugs, birds, frogs, and lizards to keep certain pests away. You can attract these insect predators by keeping a water source nearby or by growing plants that attract insects who feed on nectar. Other common pest control methods are sticky traps, barriers, and plant collars. There are some household items that prevent against insects too, like insecticidal soaps, garlic, and hot pepper.

Another essential part of growing organically is to choose plants suited to the site. Plants adapted to your climate and conditions need less attention and grow better without alot of care. It's essential to ensure plants are healthy and not too wet or dry. A too wet or too dry soil can make the plants unhealthy, which in turn makes the plants more succeptable to insects attacks. Healthy plants have a better chance of surviving minor insect damage. It's also important to remember to plant a variety of plants to keep pests that prefer specific plant types from destroying the entire garden.

To help avoid plant disease in organic gardening, it's best to choose disease resistant plants and plant them in their prime conditions. Most diseases will spread in conditions of constant moisture and poor air circulation.

Weeds can be an annoyance when you're trying to grow a great organic garden. Organic mulch can act as a weed barrier, but for even better protection it helps to add a layer of newspaper, construction paper, or cardboard under the mulch. The best way to prevent weeds is the old-fashioned art of hoeing and hand pulling. Persistence is the key to weed prevention. Mulch well and pull and hoe what you can; after a few seasons you can beat the weeds for good.

Organic gardening is an excellent way to assure that your plants will be free and clear of pesticides and if taken care of properly, will be as healthy as possible. Organic gardening takes more time and care than regular gardening, but after gardeners get the hang of it and figure out all the quirks of their garden, the end result is definitely worth the extra time.

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About The Author:
Denise Villani an author and the webmaster of several article directories. Find more articles and information on gardening by visiting GardeningStuff.info.

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Secrets To Growing Tomatoes In Containers By Roberto Bell

 

Suffering from the limited gardening space? If you are into the hobby of home gardening and would like to grow tomatoes, then fear not! Because as long as you have sunlight, tomatoes can be grown anywhere. Growing tomatoes in containers is a practice not only constrained to people with limited gardening space. Plenty of home gardeners grow their vegetables in containers, even when there are free space in the backyard. There are many reasons for container gardening, but we grow tomatoes in containers mostly for convenience, control, and flexibility.

Growing tomatoes in containers is not too different from growing tomatoes in the outdoor soil. Like planting in the ground, it's best to raise young tomato plants carefully indoors until they're strong enough for transplant. Transplanting is similar for containers as for ground- bury as much of the plant stem as possible. Doing so will promote root formation along the portion of the stem that is buried, giving the plant excellent base foundations, a good thing regardless of where the tomato is grown.

With vegetables grown in containers, it's possible to control the exact state of your growing medium. Once you've found the secret recipe to all your prior garden success, you can reuse it over and over again for future success. You can choose to go completely soiless, or completely organic, or a mixture of some of both. Growing tomatoes in containers give this important benefit. The most basic recipe for a good container soil mixture to grow vegetables is 40% compost, 40% peat moss, and 20% perlite.

Although tomatoes grown in containers frees you from messing with garden dirt, container vegetables do require more maintenance in terms of watering and fertilizing. Unlike traditional garden tomatoes, tomato plants in containers have limited root coverage, and their growth is limited by the amount of water and nutrients in the container. Container vegetable plants may need to be watered daily in the heat of the summer, and sometimes even twice a day to prevent the plants from wilting up. Of course, this depends on how big your growing container is (bigger is always better), and whether you mulch or not. Tomatoes are especially water thirsty plants, so the better you can satisfy their watering needs, the better results you will be rewarded with come harvest.

Of course, you can mitigate all the disadvantages of container growing by simply installing automated drip irrigators for your containers. Though it sounds complicated, the setup is not expensive and actually quite easy to install. An automated drip irrigation system set up for a price range anywhere between $50-100, and you will save yourself a lot of hassles later. Depending on how many containers you have, this could be a worthy investment with great payoffs in the long run.

Applying mulching to containers may sound like an unnecessary chore associated with traditional gardening, but it's a great way to reduce water evaporation and keep weeds down (if you're using compost or garden soil). Pine bark mulch will work great, as will black plastic mulching. Mulching has the added benefit of keeping your tomato plants looking neat and organized.

When the first blossoms have set in on your plants, don't be afraid to use more fertilizers. Twice the amount of normal usage will work. Increasing fertilization during first blossom formation will kickstart fruit production and result in bigger yields. But whatever fertilization rate you use, try to keep it constant.

And don't forget to pick your tomato fruits as soon as they're ripe. It's not a good idea to leave tomatoes on the vines for too long, and for every tomato you pick off, you'll encourage the production of a new fruit.

Growing tomatoes in containers is indeed a very flexible and productive gardening practice. Don't be afraid to get creative with your container gardens, as tomatoes are generally hardy plants.

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For more interesting tricks and techniques for growing tomatoes, please visit Growing Tomatoes. Additional information related to gardening could be found at Home Gardening.

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How to Start Your Own Organic Garden By Dave Mathews

 

Organic vegetable gardening has been done for centuries before the introduction of pesticides. This type of gardening requires that no artificial means be used to kill pests. So what is a garden of this type, how to create one and what to plant are some questions that need to be answered? This type of a garden is done without pesticides. This type of a garden is also nourished organically from a compost heap that consists of table scraps, egg shells, coffee grounds, ect. This not only enriches the soil, it also allows for healthier plants.

So how do you create an organic vegetable garden? It is simple really. For organic vegetable gardening, you will need the following. A sunny location with soil that is well drained is the first step. You also need to measure a length and size that will be convenient for your garden and these beds should be about 30 inches. You will need to either build a frame that is between 10-12 inches high or stake out the bed. Before planting, you will need to mix your compost at least three weeks in advance. This can be either plant material or manure.

The next step in your organic vegetable gardening is to choose the varieties of vegetables that will not only be resistant to pests and disease, they also need to be well adapted for the region in question. The next step in your gardening should be to plant usually when the soil thaws in spring or in the fall. Your first idea may be to start planting broccoli, spinach and peas first. Corn, squash, tomatoes and peppers can be planted when the soil is warmer and after the danger of frost has passed. This will get the garden started quite nicely.

Now there are several things that you can add to your gardening in order to help your organic vegetable gardening. The introduction of beneficial insects such as ladybugs will keep your garden free of pests and help keep the garden growing. Another thing to do is to rotate your crops and keep the garden well weeded so that disease and pests cannot get a foot hold in your garden. Remember to water and mulch as needed. You can also cover susceptible crops with lightweight fabric to discourage pests. When you are speaking about beneficial bugs, remember to plant the plants that nourish these bugs as well.

So this, in a nut shell is how you do a vegetable garden of this type. It isn't that hard to do and the fruits and vegetables will nourish your body without the fear of pesticides. This is a win-win situation for all involved and will lead to a much healthier lifestyle for you and your family. It may take time and effort, but you will be well rewarded for your hard work with healthy fruits and vegetables that will nourish your body and be good for you as well. So an organic garden of this type is well worth investing the time and money in.

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About the Author:
If you are interested in knowing more on how to start your organic garden then do visit our site for more information . The author is an online marketing expert with LinksTonite, an Internet Marketing Firm helping firms get targeted traffic thru higher search engine rankings.

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Essential Tips For A Successful Container Garden

 

The smallest area of land, or even a patio or porch, can be perfectly adequate for you to grow your own vegetables. The use of containers to plant your crops is the ideal alternative for the person who has little or no garden in which to grow fruit or vegetables.

You are virtually unlimited in the choices of container to use for your container garden. For instance, you can use gallon cans, tubs, wooden barrels, drums, planter boxes, hanging baskets or even old shoes. The list is virtually endless.

Here are some essential tips for you to grow a successful container garden:

• A good choice of container should have plenty of room for the soil and roots, and provide bottom drainage. Ensuring that your container has lots of holes at the base guarantees that the plant will never stand in wet soil. Stand the container on blocks or bricks to aid drainage.



• Your plants will have a greater chance of survival if you choose a bigger container. This will need watering less frequently as the more soil there is, the more moisture it will retain.



• It is important to note here that a container garden will require watering once a day, but make sure that you have put plenty of holes at the base of the container. Poor drainage will slowly kill your plants from lack of oxygen. Be careful not to wet the leaves too much as this encourages plant disease.



• To ensure that over-watering doesn't occur, put your finger into the soil about half an inch. If the soil feels dry, water your plants. Apply enough water to run through the drainage holes at the bottom of the container. This assures that the soil is thoroughly and evenly wet, and that excess salt is washed from the soil.



• You should never use black containers for your container garden because this traps the heat from the sun, especially in places that have a hot climate. Instead, use light-colored containers to lessen heat absorption and deter uneven root growth.



• Wooden containers are liable to rot. Don't use wood that is treated with creosote, or some other chemical compound, as the vapors will likely damage the plants.



• Clay and Terra Cotta pots are porous and dry out rapidly, so plants and vegetables in these types of containers will require watering more often.



• Plastic containers will most probably degenerate in sunlight over time, but in the short- to medium-term they should be fine.



• Your container garden should receive at least five hours of direct sunlight a day. Root vegetables, such as Turnips, carrots and potatoes, will need more sun, whereas leafy vegetables, such as lettuce, spinach and broccoli, can survive on less. Fruit vegetables, such as apples and tomatoes, need the most sun out of all the vegetables, or fruit, that you can grow.

Container gardening is an excellent way to grow vegetables if you find yourself with a very limited, and limiting, plot of land.

Following these tips should help you start and maintain a healthy and fairly trouble-free container garden for you to grow healthy vegetables, and save a little money on your grocery bills at the same time.

Compost Tumblers Are Essential For Organic GardensBy Richard Taylor

 

If you're growing an organic garden, you will undoubtedly fully comprehend how crucial the part of selfmade compost takes on if you are to receive the best results from your work.

For that reason, owning your own compost tumbler can offer many great benefits. Compost tumblers can make the process of composting a lot easier. Tumblers are suitable for home use and for recycling kitchen scraps on a day-to-day basis to help keep them out of the kitchen, the trash and also the garbage disposal.

If you have until now used a compost pile or bin that you made your self, you'll find that a compost tumbler is significantly nicer looking. This could be a advantage for yourself at the same time as for your neighbours. In addition, bins and tumblers are resistant to pests. This could be a significant problem with traditional compost heaps and bins. With the tumbler you will not need to be concerned about any wild creatures or even dogs from the neighborhood getting directly into your compost.

It is also simple to keep your compost oxygenated with the compost tumbler, which is important. You won't have to worry about turning over the compost using a pitchfork or some other type of turning tool. All you've to do is turn over the tumbler and your compost will come to be correctly blended.

In addition, the compost tumbler remains closed. This is imperative to creating proper compost, particularly during warm weather. When it is hot, the closed design of the compost tumbler will ensure that the compost remains damp and does not become dried out. Furthermore, during wet weather the compost will not become soggy. Also, there will not be any smells escaping from the compost tumbler, which can sometimes be a problem with large compost piles.

Getting a compost tumbler can also make it much more enjoyable for the whole household to start composting. Even the kids will get a kick out of going out and giving the tumbler a turn. Rather than seeming like challenging work, the entire family will feel as though they are completing something worthwhile without getting to go through lots of smelly, tough work.

Finally, compost tumblers make it faster and easier to compost. There is no dealing with huge piles of compost that must be regularly turned. With a compost tumbler, you can enjoy all of the benefits of composting without all of the hard work. Whether you live on acreage or you live in a suburban neighborhood, you can enjoy the advantages of composting with a compost tumbler.

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How To Start A Vegetable Garden By Kathryn Steed

 

Vegetable gardens are a fresh, colorful and environmentally- friendly way to eat your veggies! By following these simple steps, you will be able to eat your way through a wide variety of vegetables this summer.

We are all aware of the importance of eating our vegetables but what about the benefits of eating fresh vegetables? Planting your own is a healthy and cost-effective way to ensure you are eating your vegetables. Also, it is rewarding to create something from scratch--watch it grow and change until its ready to be harvested and eaten. What better feeling than knowing exactly where your food comes from? Any gardener
will tout the superior freshness and flavor of homegrown veggies over store-bought. If you've never gardened before or attempted and failed, you can access all the information you need to turn your thumb green right here.

Note: Wait until after the last frost to begin your garden, otherwise all your hard work will be wiped out in one night.

Step 1. Pick out a small plot of land (not much bigger than 8 X 10) that gets full sunlight as much of the day as possible. Start off with a small plot because this is a learning experience; however, once you get the hang of it, let your inner-green thumb out and go crazy. Remember that the bigger the garden, the more work it takes to maintain it.

Step 2. It is important to have fertile, well-drained soil to work with. If the soil sticks together and does not readily crumble under slight pressure by the thumb and finger, it is too wet for plowing or working and is unsuitable for young plants. When the soil is ready, it's time to break up and turn it and then add organic matter or fertilizer. If you visit the garden center at a local hardware store, you can purchase an inexpensive hoe to work the soil as well as fertilizer.

Step 3. Choose your favorite vegetables. Because your garden is on the smaller side, you will have some limitations on what you can successfully grow. The season in which you are starting the garden is also an important factor to consider. For the cool season (spring and fall), you can plant beets, carrots, potatoes, radishes and spinach. For the warm season (summer), try planting vegetables like beans, corn, peppers, squash, and tomatoes.

Step 4. You can purchase seed packets (the cheaper option; usually less than $2 a packet) or you can purchase seedlings sold at nurseries. It's best to purchase seeds and seedlings just after the new year because the selection is freshest. If you choose, you can start some plants indoors during the winter and then transplant them in the spring or summer.

Step 5. Sow seed or seedlings into the soil according to the directions on the packet. Pay close attention to the amount of space required between seeds or seedlings. The back of the seed packet will provide you with spacing guidelines.

Step 6. Watch them grow! Each vegetable will have different criteria for when they are ready to be harvested. Enjoy your hard work by finding new recipes that allow the vegetables you've grown to shine.

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Kathryn Steed is a writer and editor for Recipe4Living.com, an ever-growing recipe sharing website. For more articles like this, or for a large collection of recipes, visit the site as http://www.Recipe4Living.com.

Article Source: http://www.365articles.com/