Go Green With Organic Gardening

                                         Go Green with Organic Gardening
For some people, gardening is a passion. Some people garden just as a hobby. For still others, it’s a way to feed their families.
We think Shirley MacClaine’s character in “Steel Magnolias” said it best. “Because that’s what Southern women do – we wear
funny hats and grow things in the dirt.” You don’t have to be from the South or the USA or be a woman, or even wear a funny
hat to enjoy gardening. The thrill of seeing your first red, ripe tomato or watching your first stalk of corn reach from the ground can
be an amazing experience for many people. Gardening is also a great way to provide healthy food for you and your loved ones.
When you buy produce from the store, it just isn’t the same as presenting a salad to your family that came exclusively from your
garden worked by your own two hands. Many people choose to garden so they can have control over what type of food they eat
without fear of chemicals or preservatives. Often, commercially grown produce is cultivated in greenhouses with the use of
pesticides and chemicals to enhance their growth. A quick study on these types of artificial applications can be unnerving for
anyone. The side effects of chemical pesticides on the human body can truly take its toll. So many people are jumping on the
“organic bandwagon” as a way to minimize the risks to themselves and their loved ones that often comes with commercially
prepared foods. During the tough economic times we are all going through presently, seems to have people turning to growing
fruits and vegetables in even the smallest of backyards. You don’t have to be a health nut to embrace organic gardening. Imagine
the wonderful way you’ll feel knowing that you are serving foods that were grown all naturally without the risks that come from
applying chemical fertilizers and pesticides. It’s easier than you think. If you’ve been gardening for years or are just beginning to
grow your own food, organic gardening can provide you with peace of mind and pride in your produce.
                                                   Why Garden Organically ?
As recent as 25 years ago, the idea of organic gardening was considered quite a radical concept. How in the world were
gardeners expected to control the weeds, the bugs, and the animals that could threaten a thriving garden without the use of man-
made chemicals? When you think about it, organic gardening is a really simply theory. For years, people have been growing
things without the use of chemicals. Our early settlers didn’t have Miracle-Gro or Sevin Dust and they made out just fine. It only
makes sense that we should be able to apply the same techniques and get the same results as they did today. We should grow
food using Mother Nature's ingredients rather than concoctions born in a chemist's laboratory for the good of all of us.
But the interest in organic gardening goes beyond just the benefits for us and our families. There has been a rise in the interest of
ecology and concern about the environment that has given new life to the renewed interest in this form of gardening. By using
natural minerals and materials, by taking advantage of natural predators, and by recycling garden waste, the home gardener can
maintain an organic garden quite successfully. There are many, many advantages to gardening organically. Probably first and
foremost is that Food produced using organic agriculture is more nourishing and more healthful. In early August, 2001, the British
organization, The Soil Association, reported that a comprehensive review of existing research revealed significant differences
between organically and non-organically grown food. These differences relate to food safety, primary nutrients, secondary
nutrients and the health outcomes of the people who eat organically. Vitamin C and dry matter contents are higher, on average, in
organically grown crops then they are in non-organic crops. Mineral contents are also higher, on average, in organically grown
crops. Food grown organically contains "substantially higher concentrations of antioxidants and other health promoting compounds
than crops produced with pesticides. Many people think that organically grown foods taste better. Also, some foods grown
without pesticides produce a higher amount of an anti-oxidant that has been found to reduce the risk of some cancers. For any
gardener who still hasn't been convinced about the need to garden organically, here are some statistics that may help change your
mind. In March of 2001, the American Cancer Society published a report linking the use of the herbicide glyphosate (commonly
sold as Round-up) with a 27% increased likelihood of contracting Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. John Hopkins University also
revealed that home gardeners use almost 10 times more pesticide per acre than the average farmer and that diseases caused by
environmental illness, exposure to chemicals etc., is now the number one cause of death in the U.S. With the EPA's recent phasing
out of common pesticides such as Dursban and Diazinon, we are now realizing that many of the chemicals that we thought were
"safe" were never actually tested to see what their affect on children, women, and the elderly could be. The time has come to
reassess our dependence on pesticides.
                                                  What Is Organic Gardening
Many gardeners wonder what exactly organic gardening means. The simple answer is that organic gardeners don't use synthetic
fertilizers or pesticides on their plants. But gardening organically is much more than what you don't do. When you garden
organically, you think of your plants as part of a whole system within nature that starts in the soil and includes the water supply,
people, wildlife and even insects. An organic gardener strives to work in harmony with natural systems and to minimize and
continually replenish any resources the garden consumes. Organic gardening operates on the concept of recycling. You use animal
waste, kitchen scraps, and vegetable waste to mulch and compost. You will use common household items like vinegar and soap to
prevent pests and weeds. Organic growers rely on developing a healthy, fertile soil and growing a mixture of crops. Genetically
modified (GM) crops and ingredients are not allowed under organic standards. Organic gardening is the merging together of plants
and soil allowing the Earth to naturally bear what it was made to do. The plants and the soil are one working together to provide
food and nourishment not only to humans but to animals and organisms as well. It’s not a new age science. It’s actually quite
simple and can be satisfying to the soul!
                                                       Planting Your Garden
You can choose to buy plants that are already growing that can be found at most garden centers, but if you do this, you can’t be
sure what pesticides have come in contact with these plants. Your goal, as an organic gardener, is to avoid these chemicals, so we
recommend starting your garden from seed. If you want to simply plant the seeds directly in the ground, that’s fine, just remember
that growing from seed takes a little more time than growing from plants, so be patient! Don’t get too over-anxious here! Many
beginners will take a seed packet and dump its contents into the ground hoping a few plants will spring up. What they don’t realize
is that with care, they will probably ALL come up – or at least most of them. The problem here is that these plants will strive for
air and light developing tall, weak stems and they will not thrive as they choke each other out. There are some plants that can be
seeded thickly. These include peas, parsnips, radishes and bush beans. It’s fine to block these together as they will grow fine in
clumps. Seeds have within them everything they need to grow, except moisture and warmth. But, if you pile 4-inches of soil over
them, though, they are overwhelmed. The soil is heavy and cold and often damp enough to rot off the emerging leaf bud before it
can break the surface. Be kind to your seeds. Cover them with soil to a depth no more than 2-times their size. Very fine seeds
shouldn’t be covered at all. There are also some vegetables that are conducive to early planting. These include radishes and leaf
lettuce. They tend to come up quickly and can be harvested before any of your other plants have even begun to bud. With these
types of plants, plant a single row or small bed and keep replanting every two or three weeks in small amounts. You’ll take up the
same amount of space, save harvest time, and have a continuous crop throughout the growing season. When planting your seeds,
you’ll need to dig a small trench and sprinkle them evenly throughout the row. The rows should be at least an inch apart, but
increasing that distance make for easier weeding and gives you walking space between the rows. Remeber sprinkle them evenly
and try to avoid crowding. In other words, don’t just dump the seed packet in the trench. You must leave room for the plants to
grow and be able to get adequate light and air circulation. Once they’re in the ground, mark what you have planted where. We
use a Popsicle stick with the plant name written on the front and stick it in the ground at the beginning of the row. This way once
the plants start to bud, you’ll know where to look for them. Water well after you’ve planted your seeds and then wait. You’ll
soon begin to notice small plants popping through the soil and reaching for the sun. Before long, with proper cultivation, you’ll
have beautiful plants! Sometimes, it’s more satisfying to start your seeds indoors in the winter time so that when the spring arrives,
you’ll have your own organically grown starter plants ready to put into your garden plot.
                                                     Controlling Those Weeds
Weeds can be an organic gardener’s curse. Actually, for all gardeners, weeds are the bane of their existence in some cases. This
author absolutely detests weeding her garden, but it must be done to promote healthy growth of plants and insure a good crop.
Even if you’re not an organic gardener, weed control is a problem. There really is no easy answer to this problem. It just takes
time and effort to control the unwanted overgrowth in your garden. This is where mulching and composting come into play.
First of all, twice a week, run the edge of a sharp hoe just under the surface of the soil to behead tiny weeds before they grow
large enough to compete with your seedlings. Once the seedlings are larger, the soil is warm and drenching rains have ended, put
down a layer of mulch to hold in moisture and smother weeds. Mulch is material that can be laid down around the plants to control
weeds. Choose ingredients that allow the soil to breathe, let water in and keep light out. These can include dried--not fresh--grass
clippings, chopped straw, lawn-mower-chopped leaves mixed with dried grass clippings or well-rotted sawdust (avoid fresh
sawdust, as it leaches nitrogen from the soil), and pine needles are all good choices. Apply the mulch several inches thick. A thick
layer of mulch keeps light from reaching weeds. Without adequate light, the plants don't produce enough chlorophyll to enable
further growth. Most of these plants sicken and die before you even notice them. The few plants that do manage to stick their
leaves into the light will be shallowly rooted and very easy to pull. You can also apply a layer of compost to control weeds. Be
warned that if you use kitchen waste to make your compost, you could have some “volunteer” plants that crop up. One of my
neighbors was pleasantly surprised to find cherry tomatoes growing where she had composted. She included discarded tomato
seeds in her compost pile and these seeds germinated on their own making a really nice little surprise crop for her! Another way
to control weeds is through various ground covers. This is often called “soil solarization”. Soil solarization involves placing thick
plastic sheeting on top of the weeds and allowing the natural sun to “bake” the weeds until they die. This can take some time, so
you must be patient! Unfortunately, you will have to employ some old-fashioned methods to weed control in your garden. It can’t
be avoided. Hoeing is a huge part of a successful garden. Annual weeds die when you sever the stems from the roots just below
the soil surface. With a sharp hoe, you cut the weeds easily. You may want to eschew the traditional square headed hoe for this
job and try an oscillating one. To hoe your garden without cultivating a backache, hold the hoe as you would a broom—that is,
with your thumbs pointing up. Skim the sharp sides of the hoe blade through the top inch of the soil. You will also have to do some
hand-pulling of those weeds. It doesn’t have to be back-breaking work, though. It just takes persistence. Finally, organic weed
control can be done easily by placing common household vinegar in a spray bottle and apply to those weeds. Vinegar is the
organic equivalent of the commercial Round-Up, so be careful when applying around thriving plants.
                                                             Controlling Pests
For the natural gardener, pest control might seem like a daunting task. After all, you’re committed to not using harmful chemicals in
your garden, yet these chemicals can get rid of pests quickly and easily. There are still many ways you can take control of your
garden without resorting to chemical treatments. Natural pest control is actually quite easy. We certainly understand that many
gardeners become anxious when they see pests on their plants and want to react decisively when they see their plants damaged.
But we must remind you of the central principle of organic gardening: growing plants in harmony with Nature. And insects, even
those that eat your plants, are a crucial part of that system. When you see insects in your garden, take some time to really watch
what they're doing. Are they actually destroying the plant or just nibbling it a bit? Many plants can outgrow minor damage. Also, in
many cases, insects attack stressed out plants. Do you have enough healthy plants to spare the sickly ones? Can you restore sickly
plants to robust health so they can resist insect attack? The best defenses against insect attack are preventative measures. Grow
plants suited to the site and they'll be less stressed out. Don't let them be too wet, too dry or too shaded. Design a diverse garden,
so that pests of a particular plant won't decimate an entire section of the garden. Healthy soil will naturally produce plants that are
resistant to insects and disease, but pests are a part of gardening. There are different ways you can control pests naturally.
You don’t have to use anything on your plants if you depend on other animals to help you control pests.
                                                              Animals And Bugs
Birds, ladybugs and praying mantises are the gardener's best friends when it comes to insect control. Birds can be encouraged
into the garden by feeding, hanging a birdhouse providing a bird bath or by planting plants that provide berries for them to eat.
Ladybugs are now for sale by the pint, quart or gallon. The average-sized garden can get by on a quart or less, as there will be
about 25 to 30 thousand bugs per quart. The cost is generally less than five dollars a quart. The average adult ladybug consumes
between 40 and 50 aphids a day. Praying mantis cases are also available and each one hatches up to 400 young. The cost is
rather nominal for a case. A few gardeners have reported that this insect disappears rather rapidly from the garden, so you might
want to experiment with just a few to begin with. They will eat any insect they can catch. Frogs and lizards can also control pests
by eating them. You can make your garden hospitable for your natural allies by keeping a water source – just a dish full - nearby
for them and by not wiping out the entire pest population with a pesticide, sending the beneficial elsewhere in search of food.
Also, grow plants with small blossoms like sweet alyssum and dill, which attract predatory insects who feed on flowers' nectar
between attacks on pests. Organic pest control is a comprehensive approach instead of a chemical approach. Create a healthy
biodiversity so that the insects and microbes will control themselves. Using natural products and building healthy soil is the best
long-term treatment for pests. What are the pests you should be looking for?
                                                           Common Garden Pests
There are literally hundreds of common garden pests that can attack your plants and threaten the viability of your gardening efforts.
We couldn’t possibly address all of them. There are, however, some that occur in more frequency than others. Aphids are
probably the most common problem in gardens. Aphids are soft, pear-shaped, and very tiny (1/16 to 3/8 inch long). Two short
tubes project backward from the tip of their abdomen. Aphids have long antennae. Some types of aphids have wings, which are
transparent, longer than their body, and held like a roof over their back. Aphids may be green, pink, yellowish, black, or powdery
gray. Nymphs resemble adults but are smaller and wingless. They feed in colonies, so where there’s one, there’s definitely more.
Aphid feeding can cause leaves to curl and become deformed. Once this has happened, the aphids are protected from any
treatment you give to the plant, so it’s important to attack the problem as soon as possible. Many species prefer the underside of
leaves, so look there first. Ants are usually present where aphids are, so if there are ants in the garden, there are probably aphids
as well. Aphids are the ant’s food source, so they will protect that food warding off predators that might threaten them. To
naturally control aphids, first be sure to drench plants with strong sprays of water from a garden hose. Keep your plants as healthy
as possible, and spray dormant oil to control over wintering eggs. You can also spray plants with insecticidal soap, summer oil,
and homemade garlic sprays. At the end of the book, we’ll have some recipes like this for you to make yourself. If you will be
growing cabbage, broccoli, or cauliflower, you could have cabbage loopers. These pests are light green in color with white stripes
running down their back. The larvae can reach approximately 1½ inches long and have three pairs of slender legs near the head
and three pairs of larger legs at the rear end. The middle section is legless and is looped when the insect is moving. The larva is the
damaging stage of the cabbage looper. The young larvae feed between the veins on the undersides of leaves. Large larvae make
ragged holes in the foliage and move to the center of the plant where feeding generally occurs at the base of the cabbage head.
Large loopers can also burrow through three to six layers of tightly wrapped head leaves. The best way to control cabbage
loopers is to handpick the larvae a few times a week. Attract predatory and parasitic insects to the garden with pollen and nectar
plants. If you find small holes in the leaves of your plants, you may have earwigs. Earwigs are generally dark brown, slender and
elongated. They have a pair of "pincers" at the rear of their body and they run more than fly. They have a curved up abdomen and
release foul odor when disturbed. Earwigs will eat holes in the leaves of plants causing them to wilt and die. One way I like is to
take a shallow dish and place beer in it. Any beer will do. The earwigs will be attracted to the beer, climb in, drink, and die. You
can sift out the dead ones and reuse the beer for trapping again. They are also attracted to corn oil, fish oil, or water and vinegar.
You can place these in dishes just like the beer. If the leaves of your plants are finely speckled with yellow spots or a silvery,
metallic sheen, you could have thrips. Thrips are very small – about 1/16” - and difficult to see. There are many varieties of thrips
and they are of all different colors. Thrips are best controlled with sprays as I have described. You can also spray the plants with
soapy water. Lady bugs will eat thrips as well, so attract those lady bugs to your garden! Tomato hornworms are the largest
caterpillars found in this area and can measure up to 4 inches in length. The prominent "horn" on the rear of both gives them their
name. Hornworms are often difficult to see because of their protective coloring which is green. Not much for the heat of direct
sunlight, they tend to feed on the interior of the plant during the day and are more easily spotted when they move to the outside of
the plant at dawn and dusk. Hornworm damage usually begins to occur in midsummer and continues throughout the remainder of
the growing season. The size of these garden pests allows them to quickly defoliate tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, and peppers.
Occasionally, they may also feed on green fruit. Gardeners are likely to spot the large areas of damage at the top of a plant before
they see the culprit. The best way to control hornworms is to handpick them off your plants. They are especially susceptible to the
Bt bacterial spray we described above, so we strongly suggest using this to control your hornworms. Slugs are among the most
troublesome pests in the garden. They feed on a variety of living plants and decaying plant matter. On plants they chew irregular
holes with smooth edges in leaves and can clip succulent plant parts. They can also chew fruit and young plant bark. Because they
prefer succulent foliage, they are primarily pests of seedlings, herbaceous plants, and ripening fruit such as strawberries,
artichokes, and tomatoes that are close to the ground. However, they will also feed on fruit of some trees, citrus is especially
susceptible to damage. Slugs are nocturnal and come out at night. They slither under rocks and leaves in the day. Holes chomped
into leaves and fruits are telltale signs of slug feeding. A more certain sign of slug activity is the silvery trail of dried mucous that
these pests leave in their wake. If that's not sufficiently convincing, go out into the garden at night with a flashlight and surprise them.
Slug control is actually quite easy. They are rather large, so they can be caught by hand and disposed of. This is another garden
pest that be caught by setting out a dish of beer. While possibly cruel, the most effective way to kill a slug is to sprinkle it with salt.
You can trap the slugs by placing a plastic bag in the garden containing two decaying lettuce leaves, 2 cups of bran cereal, and
pouring beer over the whole mess. Put the bag out before sundown. In the morning, check to see if the slugs are in there and
dispose of them. Prevent slug infestation by removing dead and decaying leaves. This will remove their primary food source.
Coffee grounds and egg shells will also keep slugs away. Just place them around the plants you want to protect at ground level.
                                                 Recipes For Your Organic Garden
You don’t have to purchase commercially produced organic products for your garden. Many can be made by you with a minimum
of effort. Of course, you’ll have to buy the ingredients, but we can assure you that in the long run, it’ll be much cheaper than
buying those other products.Organic Fertilizer. To concoct the fertilizer mix, measure out all materials by volume: that is, by the
scoop, bucketful, jarful, etc. Proportions that vary by 10 percent either way will be close enough, but do not attempt to make this
formula by weight. An old 5-gallon plastic bucket will allow you to stir up about 14 quarts. Mix uniformly, in parts by volume:
4 parts seed meal, 1/4 part ordinary agricultural lime, best finely ground, 1/4 part gypsum (or double the agricultural lime) 1/2 part
dolomitic lime, 1 part bone meal, rock phosphate or manure, 1/2 to 1 part kelp meal (or 1 part basalt dust). Farm feed and grain
dealers are the best sources for large bags of seed meals, which are typically used to feed livestock. The other ingredients usually
can be found at garden shops, although they probably will be sold in smaller quantities at higher prices per pound. You may find
the best prices by mail order or on the Internet.
Garlic Pest Control Spray
Many cultures around the world have used garlic as a natural antibiotic and anti-fungal remedy. When garlic is combined with
mineral oil and soap, it becomes a very effective pest control product. However, when it is sprayed, it is not a selective
insecticide. It can be used to control cabbageworm, leafhoppers, squash bugs, whitefly, but will also affect beneficial insects so be
careful where and when you apply this product, 3 ounces finely chopped garlic, 2 tsp mineral oil, 1 pint water, ¼ ounce liquid dish
soap. Allow the garlic to soak in the mineral oil for 24 hours. Add water and liquid dish soap. Stir well and strain into a glass jar
for storage. This is your concentrate. To use: Combine 1-2 tablespoons of concentrate in 1 pint of water to make the spray. Do
be careful not to make the solution too strong. While garlic is safe for humans, when combined with oil & soap, the mixture can
cause leaf injury on sensitive plants. Always test the lower leaves of plants first to make sure they aren't affected.
Dormant Oil
The purpose of an oily spray is to suffocate over wintering pests, such as aphids and mites. Most commercial products are made
of kerosene or other petroleum oil. A much less toxic and more sustainable approach is to use a renewable resource such as
vegetable oil. 1 cup vegetable oil, 2 tbsp liquid soap, 1 gallon water. Combine the soap and oil and stir to blend thoroughly. Add
the water a bit at a time, stirring as you go (water and oil don’t really emulsify; the soap helps the process). Pour the mixture into a
clean garden spray container. Spray a coat of the mixture over the entire plant. Shake the container frequently as you are spraying.
Homemade Insecticidal Soap
Soap has been used for centuries as an all-purpose pesticide. It disrupts insects’ cell membranes, and kills pests by dehydration.
The key is not to use too much soap, or you’ll also kill the vegetation near the pests. If you follow the proportions of soap to
water in this Soap Spray recipe, the vegetation should be fine. 1 to 2 tablespoons liquid soap (not detergent), 1 quart water.
Combine ingredients in a bucket, mix, then transfer to a spray bottle as needed.
All Purpose Pesticide Soap Spray
Strong smelling roots and spices such as garlic, onions, horseradish, ginger, rhubarb leaves, cayenne and other hot peppers, are all
known to repel insects. Add the roots and spices to the bottom of a mason jar. Cover with the boiling water, screw on the top,
and let set overnight. Strain, and add to the Soap Spray. Note that this will rot, so use it all up or freeze leftovers for another time.
Place into a spray bottle and apply to the plants to control pests.
                                                                 Conclusion
Gardening in any form is therapeutic and relaxing not to mention a way to enjoy success as you bite into the first ripe tomato of the
season. When you choose to go organic, you are making a choice to protect the environment as well as your family when you
grow your own food. While most of this article has been directed toward vegetable gardens, the same concepts can be applied to
flower gardens. Going organic is so important to the Earth as we need to preserve our natural resources and insure we have a
healthy place to live. Try getting your children involved in gardening as well. Nurturing plants from seed to harvest inevitably leads
to increased feelings of confidence, self-esteem and pride. One only has to see the beaming face of a child who has harvested their
first carrot to appreciate the value of this experience. The child becomes empowered and motivated by the realization that hard
work and patience produce concrete, satisfying results. The life cycle is a beautiful thing and all creatures were put here for a
reason – even the garden pests! Natural people want that natural cycle to keep rotating. The health benefits of organic gardening
are many, but the emotional benefits are so much more. By going organic, you will know that you are doing everything you can not
only for Mother Earth, but also for your family. We should all strive for the natural pleasures that we have been given.
And yes, growing things in the dirt is one of them!

Happy Gardening!