skip to main content

Organic Gardening

Well, our first year going totally organic and the results are in

12 years ago

Best garden ever. Used only used fish emulsion, worm compost, grass clippings and compost tea. Didn't even use neem.

Real setbacks were squash and zuke squash. Squash vine borers decimated those by July and picked off anymore we planted.

So got to figure something out there. However, this wasn't unusual even when using sevin dust.

But overall better tasting, bigger plants and overall insect problems managed themselves.

Here is a link that might be useful: Link back...

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

pnbrown
12 years ago
Yes.

There is really no big secret. Don't use poisons. There will be losses, just as there are if one does use poisons.
Kimmsr
12 years ago
The "secret" to a good healthy garden is in the soil. A soil well endowed with organic matter that is evenly moist but well drained is a good start to having a garden with good healthy soil that will grow strong and healthy plants.
Now you sholuld want to know how much organic matter is in your soil. How well that soil drains. What is the tilth of that soil. What kind of life is in that soil. And what does that soil smell like.
A good reliable soil test can also help know what the soils pH is and whether the nutrients are in balance or not.
Related Discussions
First venture into roses not going well
Q
Comments (13)
Karl is a wonderful expert, and when I started roses, I pestered him tons! Great start, techigirl!...I especially like the view angle with the hummingbird feeder...The Artemisia is looking good and had it not been for your thread, just looking at your rose pics I would have thought they were healthy and flourishing and not what you described as "not going well" tee-hee...The foliage looks strong and healthy, at least to my eyes so cheers! you're doing Super well! It's normal for roses to get quite a few holes especially when you first start out, but gradually fantastic creatures like uh, spideys will nest at the base of your rose and catch all the aphids... Spideys love bushy, full foliage which your roses seem to have because it gives them nice shadows to creep out and grab those pesty insects. When I first tried to get bees into my garden I did tons of whoppers... Silly me had to battle with a pre-existing jungle mess of gladiolus when I planted them all! in a row. LOL! Costco was selling like 40 gladiolus' and I planted AAAAAALLL of them...And you canÂt teach a "loopy" to learn new tricks, she will just repeat the same boo-boos, lol! Well, I started planting herbs in my efforts to attract bees--by 2s (2 lavender here, 2 lavender there, 2 geraniums here, ugggggh! You get the idea)which is not! what one is supposed to do...It wasn't until I saw Boxofrox's gorgeous gardens that something started to click in that clouded brain of mine...Then I saw Kristinflower's garden too which is the perfect companion rose planting... Here is some of Boxofrox's beautiful gardens, but this time with his permission/blessings...Kristin I hope she won't be furious when I snagged her photo in a different thread, but here I'll try to have a bit more self-control and just send you her link. Boxofrox: ideas on clusteringÂ What Boxofrox did to hide a chain link fence, draping roses also complements the spiraling of the gates. More clustering concepts from Boxofrox Finally, here is Kristin_flowrÂs link: Kristin_flowrÂs bee sanctuary
...See More
Final Results: First Report versus First Actual Sighting Survey
Q
Comments (4)
I appreciate your hard work, but I think an "average" date would be misleading to people who are new to hummingbirds. These people don't understand that hummers don't migrate en mass - there can be months between birds heading north AS the data you've accumulated shows (62 days! WOW!). Furthermore, the dates for the FIRST hummers is important for atleast two reasons. 1. Early in the season there may not be as many natural food sources and a feeder out early enough may mean life or death for an early hummer. The first dates are a great wake-up call, as in "Really, they've been sighted nearby - I need to get my feeder out" 2. People who are trying to attract hummers to their yards probably don't want to wait until the migration season is half over to put out their feeder. They want EVERY bird who comes by to discover it, remember it and return. The earlier your feeder goes out the more migrating birds that can use it - the more fun we have watching! I hope this doesn't sound like I'm criticizing your work. I understand your frustration, seeing that hummers are in your area but not seeing them. Maybe Lanny could put a disclaimer on his actual map page noting that hummers migrate individually and it may take months for migrating birds to pass through an area. Remember even his map doesn't neccessarily show the first hummers - just the ones humans spotted and reported. Thank you for your hard work - it's a great chart!
...See More
Organic fertilizer/better results in container gardening?
Q
Comments (7)
As with most organic conversions, you're going to want to start at the beginning, with composts in the potting mix. Aside from providing nutrients on its own, compost also contains the microorganisms necessary to free up the "boxed" organic fertilizers you might add later. The problem with making the transition is that you'll really not want to mix "blue waters" in, as they contain salts which can upset the soil flora. I've been doing organic containers for a couple years, and they seem to work at least as well as the alternative. It's also cost effective if you're doing enough containers, as a yard of compost makes an awful lot of compost tea, which is IMO the best organic fertilizer. Link below is for certified potting mixes, recipes start on page 15. Here is a link that might be useful: organic potting mixes
...See More
First time self-clean new oven did not go well!
Q
Comments (10)
I would contact the manufacturer and see if they have any suggestions or if the warranty would cover the issue and replace your new range. The first time I owned a self-cleaning oven (14-years ago) and ran it - was also the LAST time. What a toxic mess and total waste of energy. We had to open all the windows and leave the house it was so toxic. My sister-in-law runs her self-cleaning feature at least once a month, and it wouldn't surprise me that all those toxins haven't affected her somehow..... When we replaced our stove (2014) I got one that has a feature called AquaLift - which uses less heat and water to clean the oven. I still haven't used the self-cleaning feature because I can clean it the old-fashioned way - as-needed, and I use my Sharp Convection/Microwave and solar ovens far more than the Maytag oven. I figure an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure - so I avoid making a mess to begin with, and I clean it a.s.a.p. by-hand if there is anything on the oven surface. A Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Sponge will generally do the job. You can read about the AquaLift feature at this link to Consumer Reports as an alternative to the more common high-heat oven cleaning feature- http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2012/06/does-maytag-s-low-heat-self-cleaning-oven-get-the-job-done/index.htm -Grainlady
...See More
regencylass
12 years ago
"Squash vine borers decimated those by July and picked off anymore we planted. So got to figure something out there."

Save your squash and zukes to plant in your fall garden. Just start your seeds indoors where it's cooler (they tend not to germinate in triple digit heat) in July and then when the seedlings get about three weeks old or so, plant them outside on a cloudy day, and maybe provide a bit of shade for a few days to get them acclimated to the heat. By then, the squash vine borers will have been gone and you should end up with a bumper crop by the time frost arrives.
wayne_5 zone 6a Central Indiana
12 years ago
My first crop of zucchini produced a few and died off. I sowed seeds outdoors in place in July and these bore heavily until frost slowed them down.

One thing to watch very closely for is cuke and related beetles suddenly showing up. They can quickly decimate the squash. Usually it happens as soon as the squash emerge and/or soon after fruits begin to set on.
dicot
12 years ago
Congrats, Gnhelton! Does it make you feel a little like an alchemist, being able to use what is essentially garbage (to most people) to grow great crops? It does me. I've found it very useful to consider compost teas my primary garden product and to play with various formulas, which may be what's behind my delusion.
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
12 years ago
Congratulations indeed = )

FWIW, I've never been able to grow named squash varieties @ all. I've pretty much given up trying & was lucky enough to have a volunteer winter squash pop up a number of years back that seems to have a natural resistance to the pests & powdery mildew that always kills all the others - & bonus - it provides us w/ numerous male blossoms all summer & the fruits can be used like summer squash when small. Mature fruits aren't ideal, but I'm grateful for the serendipity.
pnbrown
12 years ago
Carol, have you tried seminole pumpkin?
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
12 years ago
Sorry about hijacking the thread, but, no I have not, pnbrown. I've thought about it, but I'm pretty happy w/ my volunteer.
greenleaf_organic
12 years ago
Well done gnhelton! Welcome to the team.

Related Stories

BOOKS Can Tidying Up Result in Life-Changing Magic?

By Mary Jo Bowling

Organizing phenom Marie Kondo promises big results — if you embrace enormous changes and tough choices

KITCHEN DESIGN Survey Results: Kitchen Trends That Seem Here to Stay

By Mitchell Parker

More than a third of respondents in Houzz’s annual kitchen trends report now have the means to remodel. Here’s what else they told us

LIFE 10 Beautifully Simple Ways to Go Greener in the New Year

By Laura Gaskill

You may just find more green in your wallet along the way

ORGANIZING Checklists for a Well-Stocked Home

By Laura Gaskill

Thank-you notes, first-aid kit, clear glass vases ... It’s easy to go with the flow when you’ve got the items you need at hand

WORKING WITH PROS Want the Best Results? Join Your Design Team

By Incite Design

Take a leading role in your home project to help the process go more smoothly and get what you really want

DECLUTTERING Clutter vs. Keepers: A Guide to New Year's Purging

By Laura Gaskill

Simple questions to get in touch with your clutter comfort level — and figure out what needs to go

REMODELING GUIDES Houzz Survey Results: Remodeling Likely to Trump Selling in 2014

By Mitchell Parker

Most homeowners say they’re staying put for now, and investing in features to help them live better and love their homes more

COLOR Speed-Dial Color Selection to Get the Best Result

By Kimberly Collins Jermain

You’ve belabored your color decisions and are still stuck. Here is how to evaluate your space and make choices that are right for you

RANCH HOMES Houzz Tour: Ranch House Changes Yield Big Results

By Mary Jo Bowling

An architect helps homeowners add features, including a new kitchen, that make their Minnesota home feel just right

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Battling the Tides Results in a Wondrous House on the Water

By Mitchell Parker

A complex construction effort pays off big-time with unobstructed views of Blue Hill Bay in Maine

Sponsored

More Discussions

Veggie Tales >>> March 2024

63

anyone try "Garden Soup FOR the Soil " product

5

where to find china doll dahlia

3

Which bagged compost

2

Anyone ever buy Earthworms to add to your garden?

3