tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72844149928235835922011-11-28T02:25:18.872+02:00A Blog About Organic GardeningRichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.comBlogger351100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-31312408463572999102009-04-23T11:50:00.004+02:002009-04-23T12:12:21.080+02:00

One of the first things Sue & I stumbled across when we started planning our herb / vegetable / kitchen garden was a really simple thing. We simply forgot to take the sun into account when we designed our patch. Having a good 4 to 5 hours of sun a day is very necessary for good growth.Don't get me wrong....... we have sun.... and lots of it, but in winter, a fair part of our patch would be in

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-61995674207357925502009-04-23T11:31:00.005+02:002009-04-23T11:41:29.161+02:00

This year we've planted basil specifically for making basil pesto & I though it might be a great idea to share the process and receipe with you. Note that pesto is always made to taste, based on the ingredients at hand. So adjust the ingredients to your taste. Most pesto recipes call for Parmesan cheese, but we often use Romano because it has a stronger flavor. Most basil pesto recipes call for

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-82580216146371667392008-12-01T09:56:00.002+02:002008-12-01T10:00:12.601+02:00

Planning a vegetable garden is probably the most important part of your veggie patch. Get the planning wrong and nothing works.........Here are a few tips of getting it right.Sun, Sun and More SunThe most important thing to remember when choosing the location for your vegetable garden is that almost all vegetables require sun to really produce. Try to put your garden in the sunniest spot of your

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-28088218166198209572008-11-04T13:59:00.003+02:002008-11-06T14:28:03.949+02:00

One of the most difficult things to control in any garden are the many and varied little creatures who appreciate your plants for attributes other than their beauty. Calling in an air strike from a spray gun loaded with noxious, deadly chemicals is pretty effective, but at what price?Plants managed to survive for a few years before pesticides came onto the scene. So there are other ways of

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-62945664078511078862008-11-04T12:18:00.003+02:002008-11-10T14:22:06.030+02:00

Insects are an natural part of every home. In the air, carpet, counter or cupboard, every home shares it's resources with these tiny, often unseen invaders. Pesticides are available for most common household insect pests, but these potent chemical compounds may be more harmful to you and the environment than the pests.Here are some natural, non-toxic ways to control household insect pests.AntsThe

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-45642045758729243782008-11-04T11:37:00.003+02:002008-11-04T11:45:42.623+02:00

Are you interested in "Do it yourself" pest control? Here are some homemade natural pesticide, insecticide, insect repellant, organic pesticide, biocide and fungicide recipes. Organic pest control and pest management techniques are covered, along with several ways to kill powdery mildew on plants.Repel everything from insects to rabbits, kill mold, fungus or mildew, and exterminate pests... all

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-65284944706227234042008-11-03T12:08:00.004+02:002008-11-03T12:25:36.512+02:00

The debate is on........ buy an organic compost or make your own?If you listen to the die hard organic's out there (& I'm one of them), making your own compost is really the only way to go. It delivers huge satisfaction of seeing your seedlings grow in your own compost; eating vegetables that have come out of your own soil. If you are looking for a recipe for making your own organic compost, look

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-39995319337867603962008-10-29T14:27:00.001+02:002008-10-29T14:29:22.177+02:00

There are lots of innovative things you can do to help reduce your rubbish - check out some of the tips below to get started.Tips about what can and can't be composted:Shredded paper can be composted.Paper can't be recycled if it's contaminated with food, but it can be composted. Next time you have pizza, don't dump the boxes in the rubbish bin - soak the box, break it into pieces and add it to

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-57495899378566516752008-10-29T12:22:00.001+02:002008-10-29T12:24:34.891+02:00

What Is Co-Planting?The term co-planting ("companion planting") refers to growing different plants together with mutual benefits to both. Garlic is an especially friendly plant and can assist other crops in a variety of ways. Not only does growing garlic result in your own crop for the kitchen, it can assist the rest of your garden.The main benefits of garlic to the home gardener are its natural

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-45962240910990954872008-10-29T12:04:00.003+02:002008-10-29T12:15:30.450+02:00

GARLIC is a wonder food - it adds a savoury flavour to a variety of dishes, such as fish, pizza, soup, meat, salads, pasta and even rice, and it is packed with healthy goodness.Garlic's health benefits include the ability to lower high blood pressure and the risk of illness and infections. It may also cut the risks of heart disease and cancer. It is most beneficial when eaten raw.The garlic plant

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-82480897294102813402008-10-29T11:40:00.002+02:002008-10-29T12:16:05.271+02:00

Here are a few facts about garlic.Studies around the world have shown garlic to be beneficial in fighting heart disease, cancer, diabetes, infections and other illnesses.Crushed garlic can be used as a dressing for external wounds. It was used extensively and successfully in The Second World War for its antibiotic and antiseptic qualities.Garlic contains a wide range of trace minerals. These

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-66016112478517949792008-10-13T06:55:00.000+02:002008-10-13T06:56:39.236+02:00

Reaping your bountiful herb harvest is a very simple process, but a few tips can improve your harvest and preserve the health of your plants.Give young, recent transplants time to adjust to their new home in the garden, and sufficient time to grow before the first harvest.When harvesting herbs for cooking, harvest them the same day you are going to use them to preserve freshness.Never cut off

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-71569286834108192392008-10-13T06:51:00.000+02:002008-10-13T06:53:54.180+02:00

Cuisine HerbsIf you cook with herbs then you might have already thought about growing your own herbs for cooking. It's easier than you might think as well. You can learn how to set up a small herb garden, how to cultivate and prepare herbs as well as what herbs to use with certain foods. In no time at all, you can become an herb specialist and your food will be all the better for it! There are

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Here are some of the herbs which will grow well indoors. Choose as many of these as you can find room for. They will bring fragrance to your home, exciting taste to your foods, and a little fillip to your imagination.ANISEHung over your bed, anise may not make you as fair and youthful as our ancestors believed, but surely the new interest which it brings to foods will keep your appetite young.

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-43412163415666339812008-10-13T06:43:00.000+02:002008-10-13T06:44:53.638+02:00

Instead of planting a big outdoor herb garden consider planting one indoors. Many smaller varieties and dwarf varieties of herbs grow quite well in small pots that can be placed on a kitchen window sill. Now when you are cooking you do not have to run to your outside garden to pick a few herbs to add to your cooking. You can just simply turnaround and grab a few leaves!It's easy to grow your own

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-6225120882538682332008-10-13T06:31:00.000+02:002008-10-13T06:32:15.268+02:00

You may have heard of Integrated Pest Management and wondered what it meant. Integrated Pest Management is a fancy way to describe the practice of planning and working in your lawn or garden to prevent weeds and pests, using chemicals only as the last resort. Here are some basic steps:Learn about the plants and the weeds and bugs that affect them.Choose the right plants. Plant native species

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-12495719150103858352008-10-13T06:27:00.000+02:002008-10-13T06:28:31.014+02:00

The keys for natural pest control in your home and in your garden are modification and prevention. In generalities, natural pest control is defined as the use of techniques, products and methods that won't put human health or the environment at risk.More often than not, very simple changes that you make to your home or garden can drastically change and reduce pest populations on your property.

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-45491921513967106332008-10-13T06:21:00.003+02:002008-10-29T13:46:44.396+02:00

Building a compost pile creates more anxiety and obsession among gardeners than any other gardening activity. So before you start a pile, remember one thing: Relax. "There's no right or wrong way of composting, and people get panicked that they have the wrong recipe," says Dr. Maynard. "Composting is a natural phenomenon—it's decomposing; you're just helping it along a bit." That said, there are

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-91453065432336861672008-10-13T06:16:00.002+02:002008-10-13T06:19:36.016+02:00

Instead of carting leaves to the curb, recycle them the way nature does, by turning them into an invaluable soil builder. Leaf mold greatly improves the structure and water-holding capacity of soil. It also creates the perfect conditions for the community of beneficial organisms that dwell in your soil, and it's great in potting mix.There's really no excuse not to make leaf mold. It's free,

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-84647614900760654602008-10-10T10:37:00.002+02:002008-10-10T11:20:50.522+02:00

Will the real organic pesticide please stand up? by Gerhard Verdoorn"Since when are organic pesticides not chemicals?" asks Prof Gerhard Verdoorn, Director of BirdLife SA. The word 'organic' is probably one of the most abused in the English language as far as a chemist is concerned. Consumers lured into believing the promises of so-called organic pesticides, take heed, there is no such thing as

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-18377089343410389752008-10-10T06:05:00.001+02:002008-10-10T06:07:26.763+02:00

Vermiculture is the process of using worms to decompose organic food waste, turning the waste into a nutrient-rich material capable of supplying necessary nutrients to help sustain plant growth. This method is simple, effective, convenient, and noiseless. It saves water, energy, landfills, and helps rebuild the soil. The worms ability to convert organic waste into nutrient-rich material reduces

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-24422332111501019762008-10-10T05:58:00.004+02:002008-12-02T14:22:54.209+02:00

Learn how to plan an herb garden and start seeds indoors before the growing season begins. You will have strong seedlings ready to transplant right after the last frost.Even while the cold winters are still keeping eager gardeners indoors, there is plenty of work to be done. Winter is the best time to plan and start an herb garden. By planning the garden and starting seeds indoors weeks before

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-35659424900546958942008-10-10T05:51:00.003+02:002008-10-10T05:55:50.934+02:00

Having access to a small herb garden can be as simple as having a nice large squatty pot just outside your kitchen door containing a few of your favorite herbs containing sweet basil, purple leaf basil, chives and flat leaf parsley.Your food preference tastes should dictate what you would like to grow. Two favorites that almost everyone would agree upon are parsley and chives. Their mild flavors

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-14347266560599967952008-10-10T05:36:00.003+02:002008-10-10T05:47:33.572+02:00

People choose to grow herbs because of limited gardening space and the need for fresh herbs But before rushing out to the nearest garden center, consider several factors.Are culinary herbs the only consideration?Would herbs that traditionally are used to heal be included?Do native herbs appeal or have a place in the landscape?Has the mature size of the herb been investigated?Is a plot available,

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-25920996046363761272008-10-10T05:27:00.002+02:002008-10-10T05:30:47.243+02:00

Composting is a wonderful thing. It allows you to use organic / vegetable waste from your kitchen and garden, thereby reducing the amount of stuff going to landfills, and producing something useful that will help your garden grow healthier. Making your own compost requires a little bit of effort. Although compost can be made by piling or heaping organic material, you'll get better and faster

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-83719314420004967342008-10-07T14:53:00.001+02:002008-10-07T14:57:30.395+02:00

Things to be considered when selecting pumps and solar cells for solar-powered garden fountains.Water-based features have become very popular landscape fixtures, and an increasing number of people’s yards feature a pond or a fountain. Obviously, if your landscaping requires flowing water, some kind of a pump is going to be needed, and that pump will require a power source. It’s possible to simply

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-74248307979042516912008-10-07T14:41:00.005+02:002008-10-07T14:47:34.140+02:00

Watering your garden effectively is all about knowing its needs. Over-watering is as harmful for plants as providing too little water.Although on average plants need 2.5 centimeters of water per week, there is a great deal of variation depending on the specific plant, climate, soil, and a host of other factors.Luckily there are a variety of techniques to reduce your water usage and still enjoy a

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-52265389463797834112008-10-07T14:35:00.001+02:002008-10-07T14:37:21.810+02:00

Traditionally, vegetable gardens have taken the form of those all too familiar plots of rows that are found in large, open fields or nestled away in the backyard. While this layout was once considered quite popular; times have changed. Large plots often require more attention, and some people don’t have the option of growing vegetables in large plots anymore.Many of us actually require something

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-73999968673987963772008-10-07T14:26:00.001+02:002008-10-07T14:28:09.100+02:00

An organic gardener will use natural mineral and organic fertilizers to build up the soil. Instead of chemicals, you will learn how to use natural fertilizers like composted manure (don’t worry, it’s not stinky!), bone meal, fish meal, gypsum, eggshells, and of course, the best of all (and free!), your own compost.There are a lot of natural and even home-made alternatives to chemical pesticides

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-57352197908645365992008-10-07T14:23:00.000+02:002008-10-07T14:24:50.852+02:00

The benefits of organic gardening are clear, perhaps so simple and straightforward that gardeners used to complicated explanations must dial down their expectations and adopt an attitude closer to those of previous generations.The earth matters. What we do in our own backyards matters. The food that we put in our bodies matters. And it matters especially to the smallest residents of the planet,

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-64451756644369822432008-10-07T14:20:00.000+02:002008-10-07T14:21:22.257+02:00

Organic gardening uses cultivating practices that benefit the plants, thus avoiding artificial commercial remedies. One of those practices is companion planting.Organic gardening uses cultivating practices that benefit the plants, thus avoiding artificial commercial remedies. One of those practices is companion planting. Native Americans were familiar with this practice. Over time, they

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-56323154112159578352008-10-07T14:16:00.001+02:002008-10-07T14:19:12.432+02:00

Biointensive, sustainable and permaculture explainedChoose plants that thrive in your climate.Organic gardening often is thought of as simply gardening without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers -- but it is so much more than that.Organic gardeners strive to replenish resources the garden consumes by adding organic matter to give the soil the nutrition it needs.And they work in harmony with

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-21694219172699383742008-10-07T13:12:00.001+02:002008-10-07T14:11:03.289+02:00

There are many elements that can contribute to a healthy garden climate.Select plants that are suited to your site conditions. Plants that are happy with their growing conditions will be healthier than plants that are stressed. Stressed plants are very attractive to pests. Don't choose plants that require full sun if you live in a shady woodland. Similarly, don't select plants that like a moist

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-64522679224862282972008-10-07T13:04:00.000+02:002008-10-07T14:12:02.377+02:00

Organic gardening doesn't mean you have to share your apples with the worms, but you will probably have less than pristine looking plants and produce. Since you are trying to garden in cooperation with nature, sometimes you have to accept the occasional pest in the garden. Your first line of defense should be vigilance. Inspect your plants regularly for signs of a problem and take action quickly.

RichardShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15485465530117346963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284414992823583592.post-11625237844132734002008-10-07T13:01:00.000+02:002008-10-07T13:03:01.135+02:00

Question? What does it mean to have an organic garden? Does organic gardening mean you have to put up with insects eating your plants or unattractive flower beds?Answer: The short answer is that organic gardening means not using synthetic products, including pesticides and fertilizers. Ideally, organic gardening replenishes the resources as it makes use of them. Like feeding depleted soil with

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