subject: Enjoy Your Own Organic Produce With These Tips [print this page] Although the food we eat is relatively safe because it is protected in some part by the government, dangerous pesticides still cause a lot of damage. Some people just want to go organic to get away from the potentially dangerous chemicals. Read this article to find out about organic gardening.
When the fight is on to rid the yard and garden of Japanese beetles, milky spore is the organic gardener's best friend. Milky spore, an organic pesticide, contains a bacteria that selectively targets the white grub larvae of the adult beetle. Once milky spore has been applied, the larvae feast on the plants that have absorbed it and die within a few weeks. As the grubs decay, the spores they ingested are spread back into the soil to continue their work.
Encourage bees, wasps, ladybirds and other beneficial insects. These insects are vital in an organic garden. Bees are nature's most efficient pollinator, and wasps and ladybirds prey on destructive insects in the garden. Ladybirds are particularly effective at ridding your plants of aphids. To attract these beneficial insects, plant companion herbs and flowers around the edge of your vegetable garden.
If you aren't ready to devote your time and energy to a full organic garden or just don't have the space for one, use a container instead. Look for plants that are small and well suited for containers. Whiskey barrels are great for container gardens because they have plenty of room for roots to grow and can be used for multiple varieties of plants.
Cover bare spots when you plant. When you put a new plant into your organic garden, do not leave the earth bare where you planted. Make sure you mulch the area all around your new plant. This will protect it while it begins to grow. It will also keep the ground moist.
Do you have weeds in your garden and you don't want to spray dangerous weed killer? Common household vinegar can help your problem. Spray full-strength vinegar on the weedy spots on a sunny day. Vinegar works as an organic weed killer and it is safe the environment, and you.
Compost plants at the end of the season to strengthen the next season's crop. The plants you have been harvesting all season are still full of rich nutrients that will be highly beneficial to your compost stock. The key is not to waste any part of the plant that is available.
Gather pine cones that have dropped from trees and use them as mulch in your garden to conserve water and prevent evaporation. Take the pine cones and crush them into a mulch and spread them about two inches deep around the base of plants and between rows and your watering will last longer.
When watering your garden, consider a soaker hose instead of using a hose or watering can. If you turn the soaker hoses pressure onto low, you can leave your water on for hours which will allow a part of your garden to be slowly irrigated. This can provide you with time to do other things.
When first growing a plant you should make sure that it has all the nutrition and water that it needs. The sprouting stage for most plants is the time when it is most vulnerable to drying out or dying. With proper care, a sprout will mature into a full adult plant which is much more resistant to environmental and animal threats.
Whether are you attempting to go organic because you don't want the chemicals in your life or simply because you want the freshest type of food possible, growing an organic garden is an excellent way to always have fresh produce on hand. Don't neglect to use what you've learned here to grow a great garden!
