Best Growing Organic

In the past decade and a half, organic products have achieved almost mainstream status. Where organic produce was a specialty item in a few upscale grocery stores in the early 1990s, today’s supermarkets commonly offer organically produced items.

An upward spiral is happening: Organics have become more available and more affordable. The result is that a larger proportion of the population buys organics. This leads to an increased general awareness of the benefits for people and the environment of organic production.

Greater awareness of the benefits contributes to a greater demand for organic products. Higher demand encourages growers to an even larger production of organics. Increased production results in organics being increasingly available and affordable… and upward the trend goes.

During the 1990s, organic product sales dramatically increased at the rate of more than 20 percent every year. By the beginning of the 21st century, sales of organic products passed the $9 billion mark. Today in 2006, the majority of US consumers (7 out of 10) buy organic food at least some of the time.

These statistics are encouraging indications that organic production is here to stay. This is good news for the well-being of people and the environment.

~~What ORGANIC means~~

Fifteen years ago, organic growers might have had to explain to shoppers at a farmer’s market what the label “organic” means. Today, most people understand that for a product to be labeled organic, it had to be grown without using synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or hormone supplements.

But organic growing is a system, and is not just a matter of substituting natural materials for synthetics. Whether on the large scale of the market farmer or the small scale of the backyard gardener, the underlying principles of an organic system are to work within the boundaries of nature to grow healthy food.

The system starts with a focus on healthy soil, which supports healthy plants. When plants are strong, they are naturally disease and pest resistant.

~~Why ORGANIC is better~~

Rather than apply chemicals to cure disease and control pests as conventional growers must do, organic growers are oriented toward prevention through continuous soil improvements. It’s a big difference in attitude: the chemical quick-fix vs. long-term soil building.

The benefits of taking the long-term approach are immediate. Rather than having to keep indoors during a “re-entry interval,” (after using poisonous chemical pesticides, there is a required safety period when people must avoid the area), organic gardeners never experience exile from the location where they grow food.

Also, there is the difference in the effect on local water sources. Organic gardeners don’t contaminate ponds and groundwater with synthetics.

In short, gardeners who live where they grow food have a particular motivation and advantage in using an organic system: personal health and safety. But everyone benefits when organic methods are used because they are sustainable: wholesome food is produced in a system that respects the natural environment.

Life-time gardener Judith Schwader specializes in organic gardening methods. She shares expertise, humor, and advice for your gardening success at the interactive website A to Z Gardening. Visit now for valuable information to enhance your gardening experience. Also visit FB Home for additional home and garden information.

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6. Maintenance. Garlic needs very little attention. Through winter you will need to water only if conditions are extremely dry. Pull any weeds as they come through. As the weather gets warmer through spring and summer, water accordingly. If weeds are becoming a problem or your layer of mulch has started to break down, add a further layer of mulch (leave a few inches from the foliage free of mulch to prevent rotting the stems).

7. Harvesting your Garlic. Your garlic bulbs should be ready to harvest when the foliage starts turning brown at the tips. Don’t leave them in the ground til the foliage has completely withered and died back or the bulbs may become over-mature, start splitting or even burst apart.

Wait for a hot, dry day to harvest. Use a hand fork or digger to loosen the soil, then carefully pry them from the ground. Pulling from the stems can cause damage. Shake any loose soil from the bulbs and leave them to ‘cure’ for a few weeks. Hang them by their stems in bunches in a dry, well ventilated area. Your garden shed is ideal.

They can also be dried on racks. Either way, you want to prevent mold or mildew from forming. You must never wash your bulbs. If they don’t dry out properly they may rot. Cut off any moldy stems immediately as it can spread very quickly to your precious bulbs.

After several weeks you can cut off the stems and store the bulbs in a string or Hessian bag, using as you need them. Or you can plait the stems together as has been done traditionally for many centuries and add some cottage charm to you kitchen. You just cut off each bulb as you need it.

Preserving your excess. There are many ways to preserve any excess garlic you have grown. Do some research before choosing a method as the beneficial properties of garlic change with various preservation methods. You can pickle garlic in vinegar, freeze it, dry it. There is a risk of botulism if you preserve garlic in oil - even refrigerated - for more than three weeks.

Health benefits. Garlic has been used medicinally throughout history. Many scientific studies have been completed that show beyond reasonable doubt that eating garlic improves your overall health. More specifically garlic:

* Can lower blood pressure
* Lowers or helps regulate blood sugar
* Helps remove heavy metals from the body
* Is a potent, natural anti-biotic
* Has anti-fungal and anti-viral properties
* Dramatically reduces yeast infections
* Can help prevent blood clots from forming

There are probably many more health benefits to regularly including garlic in your diet. It has also been shown that garlic tablets are less effective than ingesting live garlic. I just love it and use it as a base - along with onions - in almost all my savory cooking. And just for the record, I hardly ever get sick.

Hi, I am an avid organic gardener and am known by my friends as the recycling queen. I live on a small country property in South Australia.
It is my mission to encourage as many people as possible to start organic gardening ( I know you’ll become addicted). This will improve both our individual lives and the wellbeing of our personal and global environments.
Anyone can grow their own healthy food with Organic Gardening. Click here to get started now!

Happy Organic Gardening, Healthy Living…
Julie Williams
http://www.1stoporganicgardening.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Williams

Coyuchi is just one of many companies that are working to make this world a better place in which to live. Many companies are turning to “green” industry so that their impact is less on the environment. Some are taking their position even further – paying a higher wage in order to ensure the safe growing and harvesting of their products. Not only do these practices help the earth, these practices help the economy of every area that the companies choose to do business.

To be able to call a product “organic,” a number of requirements must be in place. Coyuchi has worked hard to fill all the requirements – and even go the extra mile.

1. The product must be grown from all natural seeds. They can not be genetically engineered or enhanced in any way. 2. Insect control of the crops must be organically sustained. This means creating an environment where the “good” bugs eat the “bad” bugs. 3. There is a strong emphasis on keeping the plants healthy. A healthy plant is stronger and more resistant to disease (thus eliminating the need for fungicides). 4. No chemical herbicides can be used around the crops. This usually means that any weeding must be done by hand. Because growing organically is so labor intensive, it is usually done in non-industry countries where the labor is less expensive. 5. No chemical pesticides can be used around the crops. Farmers are encouraged to use other forms of natural control (poultry, beneficial insects and animals, and even hand removal of pests).

Companies, like Coyuchi, are finding creative ways to help the world. Buy paying farmers a premium to grow organic crops, they help the community (which doesn’t have to breath harsh chemical), the local economy (because of the higher pay for the crops), and the environment.

Kathryn Lang is a freelance writer covering environmental issues and especially the organics industry. She has written various articles on Coyuchi and other natural home products, such as Pacific Rim furniture products.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathryn_Lang

Tomatoes – especially when cooked - have cancer-fighting lycopene (an anti oxidant which gives tomatoes their gorgeous, rich red colour), that helps remove free radicals from the body. Plus they are packed with vitamins A and C.
Recent studies have shown that eating five to seven serves of tomato-based meals a week may reduce the risk of heart attack by half and reduce the risk of prostate cancer .

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) is a soft stemmed, spreading plant which can reach 1.8metres (6foot) in height when staked. The deeply lobed leaves are quite pungent. It has yellow flowers, which are followed by soft, delicious fruit.
The fruit is usually red or yellow, with some heirloom varieties coming in greens, black, purple and stripes. The size and shape of the fruit will depend on the variety you are growing.

Cultivation Tomatoes need a long, warm to hot growing season. If you live in a cooler climate you will need to start your seedlings under glass so that the fruit will have time to develop before frosts return.

Plant in well drained, fertile soil, high in organic matter. The position you choose will need to receive at least six hours of direct sunlight. Rotate your tomato crops in the garden to help control nematodes organically, as they are found in nearly all areas.

If you are planting varieties that need staking, position your stakes before planting out your seedlings about 60cm (24inches) apart. You can plant your seedlings as deep as the first true leaves – this helps strengthen the young plant and allows more root development.

*My personal tip - To stake your plants without damaging its tender stems, wrap cotton ties or strips of pantyhose around the tomato stake first, then loop it around the stem and tie it loosely with a knot or bow to the stake.*

Choose strong varieties that grow well in your area, as tomatoes are prone to several pests and diseases. Grow disease-resistant hybrids and reliable heirlooms. Did you know that most heirloom varieties will usually perform better the second season from seeds you have saved yourself?

Keep the soil moist, but not wet. Mulch around your tomato plants once the soil has warmed to keep weeds at a minimum and to keep soil temperature and water levels more even.

Feed with organic fertilizer every fortnight or so until the fruit sets, then again after each flush of fruit. Use a balanced organic fertilizer or alternate with a liquid fish emulsion in water - the steady release of nutrients makes for the consistent, vigorous growth that is needed to keep your plants healthy and productive.

Fruiting Harvest tomatoes when they’re just starting to ripen, to prevent birds from pecking at them and to avoid invading insects that follow them from destroying your fruit.
Any plants that still have green tomatoes on the bush as winter approaches can be pulled up by the roots and stored in the shed. They will keep ripening over the next few months as their stems keep feeding them for some time.

Hi, I am an avid organic gardener and am known by my friends as the recycling queen. I live on a small country property in South Australia. It is my mission to encourage as many people as possible to start organic gardening. This will improve both our individual lives and the wellbeing of our personal and global environments. Beginners to Organic Gardening take a look here For Companion Planting info click here

Happy gardening, healthy living…
Julie Williams
http://www.1stoporganicgardening.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Williams

Not all coffee beans are grown in environments that consist of huge commercial coffee plantations that are located in remote places in far off southern Latin American countries and it is also another common assumption that growing coffee requires plenty of sunshine as well.

There are however different kinds of coffee crops that grow under different conditions and which use different procedures of harvesting. Thus one can think of two different types of coffee that include the shade grown or organic coffee and the traditional coffee that is grown in direct sunlight.

Two Types Of Coffee

These two types of coffees are diametrically opposite as far as their production is concerned. There was a time when coffee was only grown in the shade and it was much like the present day organic coffee that we drink today. It is not usual for most kinds of coffee to grow properly under direct sunlight and grow at their best when under shade.

Thus shade grown coffee or organic coffee are used to benefiting from the falling of leaves that are instrumental in mulching the soil and helping in retaining moisture. Also, such type of coffee, when grown beneath trees means that the trees provide a home to birds and thus are a way of controlling pests.

Till about thirty years ago there was not much fertilizer or pesticides used and thus organic coffee was synonymous with healthy production. Then, in the seventies a number of new varieties of coffee began to appear and new methods of producing coffee became known which meant production of more Coffee beans, slower rate of harvesting and also use of direct sunlight to grow the crops.

Thus, the coming of non-organic coffee meant that farmers began to cut down on trees so that they could make plantation rows and in the United States alone it meant almost two million acres of land being dedicated to both organic as well as non-organic coffee growth. Only those farmers that were too poor to use fertilizers as well as pesticides continued producing organic coffee.

There is little doubt that organic coffee does cost a bit more, but the transition from organic to the sun coffee has also meant that the environment is being sacrificed. With erosion of soil and the depletion of nutrients, more chemical fertilizers are being sprayed into the ground and there has also been the removal of rainforest land just so that non-organic coffee can be grown.

This has led to just a few countries remaining that are still producing organic coffee and these countries include Ethiopia, Panama, El Salvador and Mexico. The bigger producers of coffee such as Costa Rica and Brazil are now producing sun coffee.

In the end, organic coffee does mean a better and cleaner environment that does produce a better coffee as far as health and a clean environment are concerned.

Find more Helpful Keurig Coffee Makers tips, advice Click Here: http://www.keurigcoffeemakerreviews.com

A Popular website that specializes in tips and resources to include Gevalia Coffee

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Herbs are such a wonderful gift from mother nature in so many ways. There uses are many, including culinary; medicinal; household; cosmetic and craft. Not to mention their uses in the garden as companion plants and many can be used as activators in the compost heap.

And there’s no better way to delight in their pungent aromatic qualities than to grow them right outside your kitchen door.

Once you have a herb garden you will fall in love with them. Most herbs are fairly easy to grow. They don’t have to take up much space, or much of your time.

Herbs don’t suffer much from insect attack and they are not prone to disease problems. Most will survive even if quite neglected - but we want our herbs to grow healthy and vigorously to best serve us. So let’s look at creating the best conditions for your herb garden.

Where To Grow Your Herbs

If you are lucky enough to have plenty of room for a plot dedicated to growing herbs, then that’s great. A great way to grow herbs together is in a spiral. I like to interplant herbs throughout my garden, taking advantage of their wonderful Companion Planting benefits, as well as having the ones I use most in the kitchen close by for easy access.

Many herbs originate from the Mediterranean and prefer conditions suited to that climate. Such as hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Often the hotter the summer, the more aromatic the oils of the herb become.

Although most herbs will grow in partial shade, they will grow best if you choose a site with between 4 and 6 hours of sunlight per day.

The majority of herbs prefer a well-drained soil, but will cope with varying soil types. You can always improve your starting soil by adding organic matter, including compost and mulching. If your soil doesn’t drain well you might consider building raised beds or growing your herbs in containers.

Most herbs don’t require much in the way of fertilizers. Adding compost as a mulch with a layer of pea straw or similar over the top is enough to keep most herbs thriving.

Growing Your Herbs In Containers

Herbs are some of the easiest plants to grow in containers. With some thought to position of the sun, you can grow them quite successfully on patios, balconies, terraces and verandas. This way you can quite literally have them at your back door - or even in your window sill. Container growing is particularly useful if you live in a very cold winter climate, so that you can over-winter your herbs in containers indoors.

You can choose pretty much any container to grow herbs in. You could get pretty creative with your container as long as it has enough drainage and is not something that may have any toxic residue. But if you’re not all that creative there are custom planters, large shallow pots that allow several types of herbs to grow together, strawberry pots and window boxes - and I’m sure there are even more options to choose from.

Smaller herbs are going to be the best choice for container plants. You might be surprised at how many types of herbs would be happy growing together in the same pot. Choosing slow growing herbs will mean that you won’t have to keep them tidy. Snipping what you want for dinner will keep them compact and bushy. Always select healthy herbs to give them the best start. Remove any dead or diseased leaves to keep them healthy.

When potting them up into their container remember that they’ll be there for a while, so choose a good, well drained potting mix. Because most herbs don’t need a lot of fertilizer, choose a potting mix without added fertilizer. Container plants require more attention to watering needs as they will dry out much faster than plants in the ground. On hot, dry days you may need to water small containers twice a day.

Seasonal Care

Keeping weeds out of your herb garden and watering well during summer are the two main requirements to keeping your established herbs healthy. Mulching will be a big help with both of these tasks. It will also help keep your herb roots cool. Apply a thick layer of mulch - about 3 or 4 inches / 8-10 cm to be effective. If you live in an area with severe winters you will need to over-winter some herbs or treat them as annuals and plant new plants in spring.

Your will benefit greatly by including herbs in your organic garden. They offer so much, yet ask so little. Some herbs are best treated as groundcovers, some make delightful edging plants, but I prefer to grow most of my herbs amongst other plants. They truly come into their own when their beauty and aromas can be experienced intimately and often.

Hi, I am an avid organic gardener and am known by my friends as the recycling queen. I live on a small country property in South Australia.

It is my mission to encourage as many people as possible to start organic gardening ( I know you’ll become addicted). This will improve both our individual lives and the wellbeing of our personal and global environments.

Anyone can grow their own healthy food with Organic Gardening. Click here to get started now!

Happy Organic Gardening, Healthy Living…
Julie Williams
http://www.1stoporganicgardening.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Williams

Are you fed up with vegetables grown out of season, from who knows where which may look bright and shiny but which taste of absolutely nothing? Are you frightened as to what all those pesticides and other chemicals are doing to your family’s health?

Well the answer is simple; grow your own organic vegetables and fruit. You will need to be prepared to devote quite some time and effort but the end result will be well worth it. Just think of those wholesome, tasty fruits and vegetables which you’ll be able to put on your table at all times of the year.

What is organic gardening and why should you go to all that effort?

It is the growing of produce, flowers, shrubs and so on without the use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers which, organic gardeners believe, will result in flavourful, healthy and nutritionally beneficial food. This is because the soil is fertilised naturally and insects are kept away using natural materials too so there’s no risk of ingesting or inhaling toxic chemicals. An additional benefit is the fresh air and exercise which you get digging and maintaining your own vegetable plot.

Possibly, although you’re keen on this idea of growing your own organic food, you don’t know where to start, so here are a few tips.

Firstly, make a plan. You need to decide where your veg garden will be, how big and what you’re going to grow. Remember if you want food for all seasons, you’ll need much more space than if you just want a few salad leaves for summer.

Now measure and dig out the area that you want to grow vegetables in, to a depth of about twenty five centimetres, turning it well. Dig in compost or horse, cow or pig manure for bulk and some organic fertiliser and leave it to work into the soil for around three or four weeks.

By this time, you’re ready to plant your seedlings which you will have grown from seed in organic compost and you’ll need to water them. There are two schools of thought regarding the watering of seedlings. One is that a weekly soaking is more beneficial because it strengthens the roots as they reach down for water; another is that when seedlings are very small, they should be well watered daily or they are at risk of becoming too dry. You could try giving them a good soaking preferably early in the morning or late in the evening, inspect them daily and if they look in danger of wilting, water again.

On your daily inspection tour, keep an eye out for aphids and other damaging insects. Prevention is better than cure so ensure that crops are free of disease before you plant them and keep the garden free of weeds and other debris. If you do find evidence of infestation, either pick off insects by hand or spray them with a mixture of washing up liquid and water or commercial organic insecticide soaps.

Weed prevention is also important or the weeds will take all the goodness from your soil. Hoe between your rows of plants every few days or when you see weeds appearing. Applying a mulch around your plants or even laying black plastic or other material will help to keep the weeds at bay and will also help to retain moisture.

Finally, pick your produce and enjoy the fruits of your labours; the flavour and goodness will make all that effort worth while.

Liz Canham
Liz is a keen gardener who has exchanged the relative ease of gardening in Southern England for the trials of gardening on the Costa Blanca in Spain, where her garden is at a 45% angle on the side of a mountain. She is webmistress of Gardening for All.

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