Organic Gardening How To Blog

Foliar feeding is another important organic gardening how to. Foliar feeding occurs when you take a water-soluble fertilizer, mix it with water, and apply to the leaves and stems of plants. It gives the plants an almost instant boost in rich nutrients. It is similar to humans taking vitamin supplements. Foliar feeding can help solve nutritional prblems, but plants still need a rich, healthy soil for long term growth.

Foliar Feeding How To

You can apply foliar fertilizers by using a watering can, mister, sprayer, siphon, or watering wand. Use any type of water soluble organic fertilizer. Follow label instructions for diluting and mixing. Add a small amount of insecticidal soap to the mixture to help the fertilizer to spread evenly over the leaves. At the same time, you can add water-soluble plant protectants (such as Arbico Organic’s BI-CARB Old Fashion Fungicide) if needed.

Foliar feeding is best done early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid burning the plants. When applying, try to cover all sides of the plants and leaves. Avoid foliar feeding if rain is expected within the next 24 hours, or if you are going to water the plants.

Caution

Foliar feeding can give your plants a quick boost in nutrition, but it is not a substitute for a rich, healthy soil. The soil that the plants are growing in is most important and you cannot use foliar feeding to get around this.

Be cautious about burning your plants. If you do not dilute your mixture properly, you can cause damage to your plants. I usually over-dilute my mixture, which also allows me to apply foliar feed more often. Also, do not foliar feed through the heat of the day – apply early mornings and late afternoons.

An Organic Foliar Feed

2 TBSP. concentrated fish emulsion

1 TBSP. liquid seaweed extract

1 TBSP. concentrated insecticidal soap

1 gallon water

Mix all ingredients together and stir thoroughly. Apply to all surfaces of the plant including both sides of the leaves. Fish emulsion provides nitrogen, the liquid seaweed extract provides nutrients, and the insecticidal soap will help spread the mixture evenly while deterring insects.

Here is a short video to help you better understand foliar feeding. Hope you enjoy it!

If you are new to organic gardening or you would like to learn more, try either one of these two great eBooks: Organic Gardening Magic or My Organic Food Garden. Or, try them both! Satisfaction Guaranteed for your organic gardening how to needs, or your money back.

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If you have not already planted your organic vegetables for fall, now is the time to do it. The ground is still warm enough to give your seeds a good start and there are at least 60 days left before the cold season starts. Most fall vegetables grow really quickly. Here is a list of our 12 most favorite fall vegetables and some tips to get you started.

Growing fall vegetables is easier than growing earlier season vegetables. Why? Because the weather is generally cooler, especially when you start to harvest the crops. The cooler weather is delightful after the long summer months.

You will also find fewer destructive insects in your fall garden. The season for these insects is almost over. This is true for weeds, too. You will spend less time weeding your garden. And, in most places, rainfall increases in the fall co you will spend less time irrigating your organic garden.

Crops maturing in the fall can withstand longer periods of time in the garden without losing their quality and freshness. Vegetables like broccoli and cabbage can be harvested over a much longer period of time and will still taste great at your dinner table. Leafy greens such as spinach and arugula can be picked a few leaves at the time, leaving time for the smaller leaves to mature.

Below is a list of our favorite 11 organic vegetables that we regularly grow in the fall. These vegetables grow quickly and can withstand the cooler fall weather.

• Arugula – Green and leafy, ideal for salads and exotic recipes.
• Broccoli – Healthy and easier to grow than cauliflower. Provides a high amount of fiber and calcium.
• Cabbage – You can start these from seeds indoors under lights, but it is easier to use transplants purchased from your local nursury.
• Collards – Also, green and leafy. Similar to kale, but stonger in flavor.
• Kale – A nutrient rich, leafy green that can withstand much colder weather.
• Leeks – One of the hardiness plants in your garden and it can withstand the early freezes.
• Lettuce – Especially bred for growing in the cold seasons.
• Mustard – A very fast growing vegetable with an enjoyable spicy taste.
• Rutabagas – Sweeter than turnips. Plant early in the summer season for full growth in the fall.
• Spinach – Leafy gren vegetable, high in fiber and zinc. .Can be eaten raw or cooked.

Following is a short video that you can enjoy. It will help you with your fall organic vegetable garden.

If you are new to organic gardening or you would like to learn more, try either one of these two great eBooks: Organic Gardening Magic or My Organic Food Garden. Or, try them both! Satisfaction Guaranteed for your organic gardening how to needs, or your money back.

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Some of the best garden pest controls can be found in your kitchen cabinet. One of the common ingredients in organic pest controls are hot peppers. Insects and small animals cannot stand the taste of capsaicin which is present in hot peppers. Another substance that these pests don’t like is soap. But, be cautious with the soap. Some soaps contain small amounts of chemicals that can injure plants and leaves. When using soap, it is best to use an insecticidal soap to avoid this problem.

Following are some simple recipes to help you control your garden pests:

HOT TEA

This popular brew helps control beetles and other garden pests. The hot peepers will also keep rabbits and squirrels away from your garden.

1 Whole bulb garlic, broken into cloves

3 Hot peppers, chopped, or 1 tablespoon hot pepper flakes

1 Quart hot water

Crush the garlic cloves with a hammer or heavy pan. Combine all ingredients in a glass or plastic jar. Let the mixture sit in a warm location for about one week. Strain the mixture with cheesecloth and return the mixture to the jar. To use, pour 1/2 cup of this hot tea to one additional pint of water and add 3 drops of insecticidal soap. Spray this mixture with a spray pump.

DOG/CAT SCAT

To keep dogs and cats from digging in your garden, mix 1 cup vinegar and 2 tablespoons chile paste with garlic (sold in Asian markets) with one quart water. Sprinkle this mixture over the area that your dog or cat has been wanting to dig in.

TRIPLE PUNCH COCKTAIL

This punch is used to help prevent many fungal diseases. It is best if used before these diseases are on your plants. The mixture will also help control whiteflies, aphids, mealybugs, and most types of scale.

3 Teaspoons baking soda

2 Tablespoons light horticultural oil or vegetable oil

1 Tablespoon insecticidal soap

1 Gallon water

Mix all these ingredients in a pressure sprayer. Apply to your plants about once per week. If you use regularly, watch your plant leaves for signs of oil buildup. Normal rainfall typically solves this problem.

A word of caution – Do not spray your plants through the heat of the day. The sun’s heat can make the liquid on the leaves hot and damage the foilage. Spray in early morning or late afternoon.

If you are new to organic gardening or you would like to learn more, try either one of these two great eBooks: Organic Gardening Magic or My Organic Garden. Or, try them both! Satisfaction Guaranteed for your organic gardening how to needs, or your money back.

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