Homemade compost
Homemade insect & disease sprays
Organic Gardening
Gardening organically simply means no pesticides and
synthetic fertilizers.
The idea ultimately is to not use any sprays or powders, not
even the so
called organic ones, they are approved as, so called organic but
by the skin
of their teeth. They are still not really safe for us or the
environment.
There are
some organic compounds made by chemists using micro
nutrients and natural things (I am not a chemist) that are safe
to use.
Grow World Path
has their own
chemist making it for them. I buy
fertilizer and some sprays from them, all completely organic and
safe.
Synthetic fertilizers are being banned here in FL. for lawn
care all the time.
They are polluting our drinking water and waterways. They also
throw the
natural cycles off and destroy good things as well.
There are many
organic
fertilizers
available from reputable companies as
I mentioned the one earlier. Fish emulsion, blood meal,
seaweed extract
and chemically compounded total fertilizers to name a few. These
actually
replenish the soil with the microorganisms and trace elements
that they need.
They help with the natural balance and strengthens the plants
immune system
so they can fight off diseases and viruses or an attack from
pests.
Keeping things in balance naturally allows good and bad to work
together.
Starting with good soil is a must. Incorporate compost,
manure, chopped
leaves or any organic matter into the soil a month or so before
planting.
This will break down and release the good stuff to give you rich
healthy soil
that will hold moisture better and have good drainage. Don’t
walk in your
garden it compacts the soil. Plan to have rows to walk on or
where you can
reach in from the sides. Loose soil allows the roots to grow
deep and wide for
healthy plants. Compact soil stunts growth and puddles which
causes bad
drainage.
After you have planted, continue to fertilize with fish
emulsion or other
Organic products and side dress with compost. See
homemade compost.
Organic pest control also means hand picking bugs and worms
off.
I go out every morning and pick off tomato worms stink bugs
etc.
It is not ideal but it helps keep them under control. There are
also
Beneficial bugs like wasps, ladybugs and bees they eat the bad
ones.
That is another reason you do not want to use pesticide it kills
good
Bugs too. Planting merigolds and certain herbs deter some bugs
Naturally or the bugs they attract eat the bad ones.
Companion planting is another method. Growing things side
by side
to help each other. Planting carrots near tomatoes for example.
Carrots and tomatoes need different nutrients and release
different
nutrients they both benefit by taking from the soil what they
need and
put back what the other takes out. Throw basil into the
mix and it will
help attract beneficial bugs for the tomatoes and deter the bad.
There are home made organic, safe ,
insect and disease sprays.
See homemade organic sprays at the bottom of page
My garden is far from perfect, no garden is even with the use
of poison.
So grow organic, it improves air quality, water quality and
naturally keeps the planet
in balance giving us all a better, healthier quality of life.
Check out the book
Natural Insect and
Disease control. It has helped me a lot.
Homemade Compost:
• Start with an old clean or
new round trash can with lid.
• Drill 1 inch holes about half way up and just under lid
every 6” all the way around.
• Drill a few ½” holes in the bottom.
• Place trash can on top of 2 cylinder bocks or bricks for
drainage.
• Fill with 50% green material—50% brown material layered or
mixed evenly.
• Water if needed to keep moist not sopping.
• Roll can once a week to mix.
Let sit for a few months or longer till it looks like rich
black dirt.
It should not smell bad. If it does it is probably to wet or
too much green material.
To keep it organic use ONLY organic material. I use produce
scraps even if not organic
Because after sitting and heating up most toxins dissipate.
Having 2 going is a good idea that way one can
sit and the other you continue to add to. I also go to empty
lots to get dry stuff because they have never
been built or lived on. Green material is moist, coffee
grinds & filter, tea bags, green grass clippings,
produce scraps etc. Brown is dry, dry grass, leaves,
branches chopped etc. Try to cut or chop, the more you
do the faster they break down.
Homemade insect
& Disease sprays
All Purpose Insect &
Disease spray
-
Chop,
grind or liquefy 1 garlic bulb & 1 onion.
-
Add 1 tsp.
cayenne pepper
-
Mix with 1
qu. Water
-
Steep 1
hr. strain through cheesecloth
-
Add 1 tsp.
liquid dish soap, mix well.
*Use spray
early in morning not in the sun. *Dilute 50/50 for cucumbers
and squash.
*Spray plant,
leaves top & bottom thoroughly. Store for up to 1 week.
*Builds plants
defenses & repels & destroy leaf eating pests.
Baking Soda Spray
-
Dissolve
1tsp. baking soda in 1 qu. warm water.
-
Add 1tsp.
liquid dish soap.
*Spray
infected plants thoroughly. Repeat as needed, shake before each
use.
*Used for a protectant and will
kill some organisms. *Controls powder mildew.
Florida
Backyard Vegetable Gardener 
