Indoor Japanese Gardening at Gardening tips

Welcome to Gardening tips

Article

Organic Gardening In The Backyard � Fun, Healthy, and Easier Than You May Think
C.J. Gustafson

Organic gardening, which is sometimes thought of as something out of the 60s hippie culture, has been steadily growing in popularity over the years. Not only can you find entire aisles of organics at the local supermarket, the number of specialty stores dedicated to organically grown foods has increased dramatically. Part of this popularity is due to an increasing understanding of the dangers associated with synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Growing organically generally means gardening without these potentially dangerous chemicals. Many backyard gardeners are turning to organic methods as they realize how easy and effective organic growing can be.

Part of the reason chemical pesticides and fertilizers are so widely used is because they work well. In deciding to use organic methods in your backyard garden, you first will need to accept the fact that you will likely have more pest damage and lower yields than if you were employing chemicals. Many people are willing to make this trade off in return for the opportunity to harvest chemical-free foods for themselves and their families.

There are several different approaches and techniques used in organic gardening. You may find that you are using some of them already. If you have selected cultivars that are resistant to pests or drought, you are involved in one form of organic gardening. If you put out a scarecrow or bars of hand soap to keep animals away, this too is organic gardening. Compost is an organic fertilizer. Organic techniques are around in many gardens already. By utilizing them more and moving away from chemicals, you can improve the environment and lead a healthier lifestyle.

There are different levels of organic gardening and different reasons why people choose organic methods. Some do it because they do not want to harm any animals, even aphids or cutworms. So they try to develop a system where they can cohabitate peacefully, keeping insects and other animals out when possible and removing them or learning to live with them when other options don�t work.

Some people are not opposed to pest control and extermination but they don�t want to add any more chemicals to the environment or to the food that they eat. Others go organic as a means of getting back to a more historic, natural, and even challenging way of gardening. You will need to decide which methods match your personal philosophies and reasons for going organic.

Pest control and fertilization are two of the key areas to focus on with organic gardening. In addition to using native, resistant plants, mulching, and practicing crop rotation, the use of other natural methods of pest control and of compost and manure as fertilizer can go a long way toward creating a more organic garden.

Pest Control

There are many ways that backyard gardeners can control insects and other pests without the use of synthetic chemicals.

- Use mesh row covers to keep insects off of plants. They need to be removed from squashes, melons, cucumbers, peppers and other plants that require or benefit from pollinations during flowering.
- Collars placed around young plants will help prevent damage by cutworms.
- Allow natural predators such as ladybugs and wasps to assist you in your efforts by planting vegetation that will attract them to your garden and avoiding pesticides that harm them as well.
- Screens, cold frames and fences can help keep some insects and animals such as rabbits out of the garden.
- Aphids can be removed from plants with a strong stream of water. Hand removing insects such as potato beetles can be effective in small gardens.
- Weed your garden and turn the soil regularly to help reduce the growth of insects that like to nest in certain plant debris.
- Learn to identify the egg clusters of harmful insects and remove them immediately
- Use homemade insecticides such as garlic spray or other harmless pest inhibitors.
- Try using non-invasive methods of pest control including soap bars, cuttings of human hair, or an alert dog in the yard. These techniques may or may not be effective, but are worth a try before resorting to chemicals.
- Some home pesticides such as those that use rhubarb or tobacco plants can be very dangerous to humans and other mammals. Use caution and be sure you know what you�re getting into before you begin.

Organic Fertilizers

Of course you want your plants to grow quickly and produce large yields. However, chemical fertilizers are potentially harmful to those who eat the plants and to the environment, especially if applied too heavily and allowed to run off into water supplies and habitat areas. Using organic fertilizers can decrease the problems associated with chemicals.

Manure is a natural, effective fertilizer if used properly. Not only does it improve soil structure, it provides the nutrients plants need to develop. Manure that is allowed to age and decompose before use is most effective. Pasteurized manure is less likely to include active weed seed or harmful bacteria. Do not apply too heavily.

Create and maintain a compost pile to use as fertilizer. Not only does it incorporate the use of natural organic material such as leaves, lawn clippings and household waste such as potato peels and carrot stems, it also provides a free source of fertilizer and reduces the amount of waste that is hauled to landfills.

If you choose to use chemical fertilizers, use sparingly and choose a slow release variety that is less likely to leech into vulnerable areas.

Companion planting, which is the practice of putting together two plants that seem to benefit each other, has been offered as a means of enhancing organic gardening practices. It is thought that plants such as nicotina and marigolds are natural pest deterrents. However, there is no firm research to support this as yet. Still, many gardeners have reported success with this method.

Additionally, planting vegetables with prickly vines, such as watermelon or squashes around the perimeter of vulnerable plants may help keep out rabbits and other animals that don�t like the scratchy vines.

These days, many gardeners are looking for ways to reduce the use of chemicals and rely on more natural and inexpensive means of providing food for their tale and backyard growing enjoyment. Organic gardening techniques provide fun and healthy options.

About the Author

C.J. Gustafson is an amateur gardener and a professional photographer, providing valuable tips and advice about garden accessories and other vegetable gardening topics. She would rather lose a few ears of corn than go without wildlife in her garden.

Indoor Japanese Gardening Best products

Indoor Japanese Gardening News

indoor japanese gardening

Go to the new RSS page and renew your subscription.]]>

IMPORTANT: Bing News RSS feed has moved!

The main attraction is a living abbreviated approximation of the two major gardens that Monet created, one in traditional, orderly French style, the other a Japanese-inspired ... open onto an indoor re-creation of the Grand Allée at Giverny ...

Monet’s Garden’ at the New York Botanical Garden

the glass garden of curvy red stems and tropical glass foliage first exhibited for the opening of Tacoma Art Museum’s new building in 2003. From there you walk past two rowboats filled with glass ikebana and Japanese floats, Chihuly’s more ...

New Chihuly glass garden shines under Seattle's Space Needle

It can also be a boon to real estate, since the presence of an outdoor (or indoor) oasis can help sell a home ... The home features a five-acre Japanese garden with numerous waterfalls, pools and ponds, all surrounded by Zen-inspired sitting ...

Gardens add more than flourish for these upscale properties

Homes inspired by Japanese or Chinese influences are best matched with ... If your garden is way too small, try installing indoor wall garden fountains. Flat walls usually offer practical locations. Some offices choose to place this type of garden ...

Finding The Best Fountains

Eastmoreland Garden, Southeast Bybee Boulevard and 27th Avenue; 777-1984 or 503-774-6888 Milwaukie Garden Club Plant Sale: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Outdoor/indoor plants ... May 19-20. Japanese Garden, 611 S.W. Kingston Ave.; free with garden admission ...

Events for May 12-19

Work by designers such as Japanese conceptual architect Toyo Ito (responsible for circular benches in the central fountain plaza) could be seen alongside gardens created by leading ... Although there are plenty of indoor attractions, Floriade works best ...

Floriade 2012: going for gold at the Netherlands’ flower Olympics

There are tram tours, a Climatron indoor rain forest, Victorian District, Chinese Garden, and the largest traditional Japanese garden in North America. Admission is $8.00 for adults and free for children 12 and under, with a discount for St. Louis City ...

St. Louis Staycation

4-114.5 Light Spectrum Toxicity Analysis 4-114.6 Photoperiod Flowering Plants Night Sensing 4-124.7 Aquaponic Garden 4-144.7.1 .Drip Irrigation ... Grow LampsTable 4-3 4-7Plant Grow Lights for Indoor GardeningFigure 4-4 4-10Solar Powered LED ...

Plant Factory and Grow Light Market

Over the weekend, have fun with friends as you lounge in the spa pool while a barbeque feast awaits you at the Japanese-inspired gazebo. You may also choose to cuddle up with your favorite book under the trees of readings nooks in the landscaped garden.

Gardening tips

Indoor Japanese Gardening Section