Organic Gardening Blog

Victory Garden

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:07:44 GMT

The victory garden resurges in popularity in light of economic recesion that is looking to be around for a while.

Bokashi Bran, Composting Inside Using A Bucket

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:59:15 GMT

Bokashi Bran will allow you to compost any organic waste indoors using nothing more than a sealed bucket. It is an excellent way to increase organic matter, an essential part your organic garden

Winter Blooms

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:55:48 GMT

This last Monday morning as we were getting ready to go to the bus stop my daughter said, "Daddy look at the flowers!"

I thought she was referring to the poinsettia I had set out for some sun, but as I followed the path of her pointed finger I was surprised to see that the daffodils were starting to bloom. I had not even realized that they had come up.

When the Farmers Almanac said that we were going to have a mild Winter, I didn't realize just how mild they meant!

Phil may not have seen his shadow up in Punksatawney today, but down here in West Tennessee he would have needed sun screen and pair of Raybans!

Colony Collapse Disorder Where Have All The Bees Gone?

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:20:22 GMT

OMB Watch reports that 36 percent of all Honey Bees between September 2007 and March 2008 were wiped out. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that the production of one-third of the nation's food is dependent on pollination by honeybees.

Pollination is responsible for $15 billion in added crop value, particularly for specialty crops such as almonds and other nuts, berries, fruits, and vegetables.

Now some are claiming that Bayer Crop Sciences pesticide "Clothianidin", sold under the brand name "Poncho" is responsible. In fact the EPA has covered up the reports for years which clearly define the risks with this pesticide.
I've obtained a copy of this report. Read it for yourself then you decide.

Pain is Inevitable, Suffering is Optional

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:49:31 GMT

One of the nice things about having your own Blog is the ability to go off topic when you want, today is one of those times.
After sharing about my surgery and subsequent heart attacks I've heard from more than a few readers that have gone through some deep stuff the last few years. This is for you kind folks. There have been some incredible breakthroughs in medicine recently. I wrap up this piece with an interview with Suzanne Sommers who banked some of her stem cells and was was able to regrow a breast lost to cancer. It is my intent that you are able to experience a bit of Hope as well.

Organic Gardening Heals the Stress that Kills

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 04:01:25 GMT

Unfortunately life, as we all know, is not always funny. These days changes are flying at us at hurricane speeds. Sometimes they flatten us, and sometimes they just leave us feeling shaken. One place where the pace of the world slows down is out in my organic garden. It is there that stress ebbs out of my body. Organic gardening is a passion for many of us. The heartfelt desire to work in harmony with nature is an automatic and natural response. And no, It's not a tree hugging, go green, faddish attitude, it's a lifelong delight. It's an increased awareness of the symbiotic relationship we have with plants, animals, and the environment. And of course, our fellow man.

PhyloChip Reveals Microbes Suppressing Disease Pathogens

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:13:37 GMT

For the first time in history scientists have both observed and identified communities of microbes working together synergistically to fight off disease pathogens in soil using the revolutionary technology called the PhyloChip which has been in development for over ten years.
The research centered around a field used to grow sugar beets, located in the Netherlands. The beets are normally susceptible to a pathogen known as Rhizoctonia Solani which causes root fungus that can decimate an entire crop.

Be Warned! Hold On To Your Seat!

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 06:26:39 GMT

… Do you think this is a little over the top, maybe a even a bit conspiratorial? Then you may find it hard to accept the fact that these corporations have successfully lobbied to legally “recycle” toxic waste materials that would normally cost them millions of dollars to dispose of.

How do they recycle it?
They put it in the fertilizer you use in your garden and lawns!
The EPA has written regulations making it perfectly legal while giving them exemption from having to list the ingredients on the packaging! Before you write me off , Take a few minutes and enter the search phrase “Toxic Waste in Fertilizers” into your favorite search engine. Then after you head stops spinning…

Non-Hybrid Seeds

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 19:39:02 GMT

Non-Hybrid Seeds have never been as popular as they are today, but what exactly are they? They are seeds from plants that have been grown organically and have not been genetically modified or altered in any way. Hybrid seeds on the other hand are genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) that have been altered in a laboratory.

This is a very important distinction to be aware of for two reasons...

Early Morning Snowfall

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 20:26:42 GMT

I have finally come to terms with the calendar and now accept the fact that it is Winter. (sorta) There is nothing like thirty degree temperatures and a fresh snowfall to snap you out of denial. But, I am okay with it.
No, Really.

Lessons from an Organic Garden

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 15:35:41 GMT

It's time for a few lessons from an organic garden. When I look around at the current happenings in America I can't help but think we could be doing so much better if we could get past the emotional hyperbole and look at things truthfully. As a publisher of an organic website, I get a lot of correspondence from organizations that espouse the feel good notions of going green and protecting the environment. You would think that we would have a lot in common, however the truth be told we are as different as night and day. As I read the information from many of these sources, I am amazed at the amount of sheer propaganda (that is to say lies) that I find coming from the going green crowd and the environmentalist movement.

Raised Bed Organic Gardening

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 15:14:00 GMT

I know some of you have wanted to start growing your own organic vegetables and maybe some herbs or salad greens. You realize that food is not going to get any cheaper and the thought of going out your back door and getting something fresh from your own garden would be such a great feeling. It would be a really great activity to do with the kids as well. You’d just love to get on Facebook and upload a couple of photos to show your friends your accomplishment.

But... “POOF!” it’s Fall again and you never got around to it!

Well, don’t let it get you down because Fall is a great time to build a raised bed and have it all squared away and ready for planting this spring. It will also provide a handy spot for emptying your Bokashi bucket, recycling your leaves and emptying your lawn mowers grass catcher after (hopefully) the last mow of the season. And you can take pictures showing what you have started and tell your Mother-in-law how healthy your kids are going to be eating, or send the pics to your kids and tell them, if you can do it they can too!

Read the full article about how to start a raised bed garden here..

Heirloom Garlic

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:52:06 GMT

Fall is the perfect time to plant heirloom garlic for a early summer harvest. Garlic is prone to fungal problems but there are a few things you can do to help ensure a healthy crop. Would you believe 100 proof vodka is one? No kidding. Not to worry what you read here is all NOP approved.

Mums The Word

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 03:17:53 GMT

One of the best things about fall is that all the mums are in bloom. After waiting patiently all summer and seeing nothing but green shrubs, the mums have come alive just as everything else is fading out.
Last Spring this plant was only one broken stem with a partial root. It had gotten torn off when I was transplanting in the flower beds. My daughter Kaitlin, immeadiately adopted it and wanted to plant it by the corner of our garage. (There is just no resisting those baby blues) I told her not to get her hopes up because it was already half dead and only the smallest bit of root. I doubted that it was going to take root and downplayed it best I could.
Surprise Daddy!

(Kaitlin has since been promoted to assitant chief groundskeeper)

Planting Tips
When transplanting mums I always like to add a generous handfull of cottonseed meal to the bottom of the hole and then sprinkle in another handfill around the sides while I am backfilling the hole. This is an excellent organic fertilizer and it will help set the roots to winter over very well. Water frequently while your mums are blooming. It should go without saying, but just in case you are new here, add a teaspoon of Mycorrhiczal fungi. Nothings else is going to support your root systems and overall plant health like Mycorrhizal.

Compost, Life Support for Organic Gardening

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 15:52:20 GMT

Compost is life support for organic gardening. Compost is the best amendment that you can add to your garden. And you can make it for free!

Lasagna Gardening

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 19:51:33 GMT

Lasagna Gardening, Is it the enlightened way to grow or merely a passing fad?

Have You Forgotten?

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 18:31:46 GMT

Today, Sept 11, 2011 is the tenth anniversay of the worst terrorist attack that the United States of America has ever suffered.

It has been a very emotional day for me.

I remember the shock and the disbelief. Today, ten years later, I am still in disbelief at the prevailing attitude at media outlets who are more concerned about political correctness than factually covering the story. I am ashamed of those who bend over backwards to accommodate fanatical religous zealots who are still bent on our destruction. They do not even have the fortitude to say the word terrorist anymore. Appeasement has never worked before and it won't work now.

I am commanded to love you but I loathe your words and deeds and I hold you in equal contempt as the ones who slammed those jets into the Twin Towers.

If that sounds harsh, perhaps you could visit those countries that harbor and propagate terrorism and experience what that peaceful religion will do for you firsthand.

Going Green and Environmental Jobs

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 09:00:21 GMT

Going Green is all the rage in case you have not heard. But with the demise of three solar companies in a month, at a loss of billions of taxpayer money maybe we need to look somewhere else?

Organic Gardening Beginners Guide, Fertilizer,Compost,Raised Beds

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 05:40:07 GMT

Organic Gardening For Life is a beginners guide for growing organic vegetable gardens with organic fertilizer, compost and raised beds for healthy vegetables.

Garden Gates

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 02:25:17 GMT

The one thing that I have found to be the most enjoyable aspects of writing this blog is the serendipity of crossing paths with a vast array of truly incredible people that have been exceedingly blessed in with natural talent. I am an individual that is, how can I say it nicely… “Artistically Challenged” You must realize that I don’t say that from a humorous standpoint, it’s actually much, much more pitiful than that. In fact I will likely receive some type of karmic rebuff for having the audacity to even use the word “art" or any derivative thereof in a sentence with myself. A stick figure from my hand is more likely to resemble a skein of yarn that my cat has had fun with, than that of a basic humanoid representation. (It is undoubtedly why I so enamored with composting). But the one thing I have been blessed with is a deep appreciation of beauty in all it’s various forms. Particularly so, when it has been created out of a color palate and materials direct from Mother Nature herself. I want to share a little serendipity that I was blessed with, out of the blue this last week, and that is the art of Jane Gates, Owner/Designer at Gates & Croft Horticultural Design of the Los Angeles area. We are all familiar with the reoccurring problem of wildfires in California and the devastating results that accompany them. But what you probably haven’t heard of until now is that Jane has talent for designing landscapes that are not only sustainable but provide natural protection against wildfires. Believe me, I could drone on and on for some time but instead I want to direct you to her blog Garden Gates and let you experience some of her outstanding works of art first hand! You will thank me later.

Humates The Critical Component Of Soil Fertility

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 21:47:35 GMT

Humates are the most critical component of soil fertility. While plants may suffer from a missing nutirent or trace element, they won't even grow without the presence of humate in the soil

Hyper-Thermophilic Bacteria

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 01:21:33 GMT

Hyper-Thermophilic bacteria can play an important role in increasing the effectiveness of the processing of human metabolic waste and inedible biomass

Brown Spots In Lawn

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 23:27:02 GMT

More problem than solution....do I start over? I had about twenty spots where either grubs or chinch bugs attacked my lawn. I dug up the brown spots

Who knew?

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 18:58:04 GMT

We've got clay for soil here in Atlanta as well. Will be passing this post on to gardner friends. I limit mine to gardening in pots. Easier... The

Organic Waste Recycling

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 21:17:27 GMT

Agra-Cycle, Inc announces planned organic waste recycling project that will compost 10 Million tons of organic waste by 2022

Cotton Burr Compost.

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 18:03:03 GMT

Cotton Burr Compost is head and shoulders above any other compost available, according to Soil Food Web consultant.

Economic Crisis Creates Sustainable Opportunities

Tue, 24 May 2011 18:52:33 GMT

Economic Crisis Creates Sustainable Opportunities as rising grocery prices drive consumers to local growers

SEO

Wed, 18 May 2011 21:32:50 GMT

SEO or other wise known as search engine optimization still remains much of a mystery for many...

Luckiest Spot In The South

Mon, 02 May 2011 18:59:57 GMT

I have this spot out in the front lawn and my wife and daughters have found more four leaf clovers than I can keep track of. This last week it felt especially lucky to have been spared the brunt of some brutal weather here in the Mid-South. At one point our frustrated weather man said he couldn't keep up with all the warnings he had. One cell clipped through over 70 mphs and packed some damaging hail. The flowers took a real beating but it was nothing compared to the devastation in Tuscaloosa. Our prayers are with all those who have suffered tragedy and loss. We also are feeling blessed that family in Alabama may not have electric but they are alive and safe.

If you are already familiar with this site then you know how much information you can find in the top left Nav Bar. But if you are new here this is where you will find a lot of original organic content that is not contained within this blog.

Before I sign out today I want to leave you with something new I discovered.

This is a fun place to snoop around.

Organic Flowers

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 14:57:59 GMT

Organic flowers are more disease and insect resistant and provide a natural habitat for bees, butterflies and humingbirds.

A Peonie For Your Thoughts

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 16:37:46 GMT

Nothing dresses up the patio like a fresh flower arrangement. The peonie bushes are pushing out the blooms double time this Spring! Although I got a little wet outside this morning the clouds and the drizzle must have chased off all the ants. I guess they forgot their raincoats.

My hand provides proportion to the size of this Peonie Bloom. I use wire coat hangers to help prop up blooms but this Spring they are so large I have find something much more rugged.

I planted these Peonies the very first year we were married. Like anything else worthwhile it took time and paitence but after two years they matured enough to bloom. Eight years now we have had beautiful pink blooms surrounding the bay window in our dining room.

I have many cherished childhood memories of my Grandmother who had and entire side lawn lined with peonies. A light summer breeze would fill the house with a sweet fragrance, the sound of the creek making it's way down to the old creamery and stories from days gone by. From the roaring twenties through the great depression My Grandmother saw a lot of the American Dream. I can only guess her reaction today to know that we are again heading back into financial crisis because the goverment thinks they can spend our money better than us. I guess it is pretty easy to fool an entire generation when you don't teach them American History.

Rose By Any Other Name

Sat, 23 Apr 2011 20:10:12 GMT

I don't mean to rub it in, not too much anyway, but the roses are going gangbusters here in my Memphis Gardens. To my good friends still back home in Pennsylvannia who haven't seen Spring yet, here is what is coming your way soon! Don't loose heart.

Spring Phlox Rocks

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:07:47 GMT

Yellow!

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 16:16:27 GMT

No it's not Lily Tomlin placing your call. It's just a reminder that the Yellow Rose Of Texas had roots from Tennessee. Maybe we can get another verse added? What do ya'll think?

Monday Morning Blues?

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 16:29:31 GMT

I love Mondays, especially when there is such beauty just waiting to be discovered. (The kids going back to school has nothing to do with it)
I wasn't expecting to see any blooms this early but the recent rains and the warm nights have sped up the process. This bloom seems to be lonely now but in another week or so will have dozens more for company.
I love perennials because I they are such a great investment. Every year they increase a little more. This fall after these have stopped blooming, I will split them up and fertilize them with cottonseed meal and bank them off for winter and by next year this time there will even more!

Life Changing Moment

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:29:17 GMT

"Then just like that I was in the most intense pain I ever experienced. I saw the faces of my children play before my eyes and the world started going fuzzy as the life was crushed out of my chest..

Organic Pumpkins With Mycorrhizal Fungi

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:41:54 GMT

The time had come to thin out the pumpkin seedlings and what I saw had me pleasantly surprised. Just look at the root ball on this pumpkin seedling! I really didn't want to stress this little guy out but I wanted to get a good picture so you could see for yourself how beneficial Mycorrhizal Fungi is for your garden.

Compare the size of the stem and leaves to the root ball. This is the nicest root mass that I have seen on a pumpkin seedling in a while.

I grew these pumpkins from Burpee Organic Seed. Typically I sow the seed and then dust the area with fungi and mineral supplement, but this time I decided to do something different. I love to experiment in the garden because you just never know, until you know.
So this year before planting I put my seeds in a baggie and then I added 5cc of Mycorrhizal fungi and Azomite. Then I sealed up the baggie shook them up to get a good coating on the seed. I dusted the area with what was left in the bag. So far I am thinking that I just might be inclined to pre-treat all my seeds in this manner. At least until I start wondering, "What if?"

Despite the intense heat these seedlings showed little effect the next morning. Here they are in their temporary home until I get them squared away in their new raised bed.

Vador's Garden Shoppe

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:04:30 GMT

Vador's Garden Shoppe, now located in beautiful Arlington Tennessee is area's premier organic gardening merchant.

Tomato Horn Worm

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:38:06 GMT

If you grow organic tomatoes then you are probably familiar with this garden pest.

I came out one morning with my coffee to water and invented a few new words when I saw this tomato horn worm. This fellow dropped by one evening and clear cut the top out of one of my plants.

I want to underscore that this damage was done overnight.Talk about having your lunch eaten!

When you see the size of one of these worms it is easy to understand how they can defoliate your tomato crop in no time at all. You may think that your neighbor took their weed wacker to your heirloom tomatoes when you were'nt looking.

So what is a gardener to do?
Since I water my plants once at sunrise and again at sunset I now use the time to trace through the branches, searching for worms and the 'signs' they leave behind. I pull off any unwanted visitors and splat! instant fertilizer! I have since widened my spray area around the beds to my property line, something I should have been doing from the start. It just goes to show you that no one is immune pests or even weeds for that matter. You have to realize that in nature, all these different pests that we run into are all life forms. Each one of them has a built in instinct to survive and reproduce. If that means walking across your lawn that is sprayed with Eco-smart insecticide and eat your plants that are treated with Captain Jacks Dead Bug Brew, then that is what they are going to do - until they drop dead.

Don't let yourself fall into the marketing trap. Life happens! Just because the guy on the television says that their product is the best thing since sliced bread doesn't mean your problems are solved. Besides, what are you doing watching television anyway?
The moral of the story is that using a floating net to cover your tomatoes beats having to pull nasty bugs off your plants.

Can I Use Cotton Burr Compost Undiluted?

Sat, 12 Jun 2010 17:04:16 GMT

I have finally found a local nursery that has cotton burr compost in forty pound plastic bags at what seems to be a decent price. My question is this,

How Do I Prune Roses?

Sat, 24 Apr 2010 14:43:42 GMT

We moved to the Memphis area four months ago and your show was one of the very first we heard. We were moving in on a Saturday morning and had a radio

Economic Recession Revives Backyard Gardening

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 17:03:13 GMT

Economic recession, high unemployment and budget conscious families have spurred a revival of interest in backyard gardening. And for good cause, groceries represent a significant expense families.

Lasagna Gardening

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 14:34:51 GMT

Lasagna Gardening, Is it a recipe for disaster?