Organic Gardening Blog

Welcome to the Organic Gardening Blog with your host, syndicated columnist Greg Traver.
An outspoken advocate for intelligent stewardship of natural resources, Greg brings his unique experiences and viewpoint to craft this Do-It-Yourself blog, in a fully interactive environment.

This is where we actually do it not just talk about it! If you want to learn how to DIY, and you have the commitment, you are in the right spot! Get on board and lets get growing!

Find out for yourself why we are among the fastest growing and highest ranked organic blogs in the industry.

Winter Blooms

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?

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.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Colony Collapse Disorder Where Have All The Bees Gone?"

Pain is Inevitable, Suffering is Optional

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.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Pain is Inevitable, Suffering is Optional"

Organic Gardening Heals the Stress that Kills

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.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Organic Gardening Heals the Stress that Kills"

PhyloChip Reveals Microbes Suppressing Disease Pathogens

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.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "PhyloChip Reveals Microbes Suppressing Disease Pathogens"

Be Warned! Hold On To Your Seat!

… 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…

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Be Warned! Hold On To Your Seat!"

Non-Hybrid Seeds

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...

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Non-Hybrid Seeds"

Early Morning Snowfall

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

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.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Lessons from an Organic Garden"

Raised Bed Organic Gardening

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..

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Raised Bed Organic Gardening"

Heirloom Garlic

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.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Heirloom Garlic"

Mums The Word

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

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!

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Compost, Life Support for Organic Gardening"

Lasagna Gardening

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

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Lasagna Gardening"

Have You Forgotten?

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

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?

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Going Green and Environmental Jobs"

Organic Gardening Beginners Guide, Fertilizer,Compost,Raised Beds

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

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Organic Gardening Beginners Guide, Fertilizer,Compost,Raised Beds"

Garden Gates

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

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

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Humates The Critical Component Of Soil Fertility"

Hyper-Thermophilic Bacteria

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

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Hyper-Thermophilic Bacteria"

Brown Spots In Lawn

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

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Brown Spots In Lawn"

New! Comments