Organic Garden Books
What should I get my mom for mothers day?
I only have like $20 (im 16), I am pretty crafty, so I am definitely okay with making something myself. I just dont know what to make :p
my mom is a vegan and really into organic food, so I was thinking maybe do something like a home garden thing, but I think it would cost too much.
maybe a vegan book or something?
I dunno. I dont want to get her any of the “typical” gifts, I think those are too impersonal. I mean, anyone can buy anyone perfume, flowers, chocolate, etc. I want to make something, and I know I want to do something with her being vegan, but I am really not vegan, and I have no idea what to do from there. Anyway, I appreciate any suggestions, thanks!
You could get her a vegan cookbook, or also a book that talks about th medical benefits of being vegan.
Has she read “The China Study”? If she hasn’t, I htink she would really like it. All vegan’s love to read a book that is filled with clinical research showing the benefits of their diet. The China Study is by far the best one.
There is also “Skinny Bltch”, “Clean”, “Thrive by Brendan Brazier”,
As for the organic garden, You could try to find a cheap pot, and some organic seeds packages, and maybe some organic soil if you have enough money left over. Maybe Tomatoes or strawberries or something.
Organic Garden Books
Organic Gardening the Natural No Dig Way
An Australian named Esther Deans first developed the idea of the No-Dig Gardens method. It was originally developed both as a labor saving idea and a backyard organicgardening method to rejuvenate badly depleted soil in a vegetable garden.
The process involves starting with layers of newspaper and by adding lucerne hay, straw and compost in succeeding layers; you can create a plant-growing medium without having to resort to heavy digging. No-Dig Gardens develop into rich growing nutrients, which will simplify weeding and encourage your much-desired plants to grow. The layers of the organic scraps compost together, and greatly encourage garden earthworms. This is an excellent idea for new homeowners that have acquired a “grassy forest” in their new backyard.
These organic gardening techniques are maintained by adding compost layers of newspapers, manure, organic scraps etc., and should not be dug up, as this will undo the natural good work. I have used this approach in creating my own no dig vegetablegarden, and it certainly does work.
The principle of no dig gardens has sound foundations. Over cultivating the soil, especially when very wet or very dry, will damage the structure of the soil, and lead to hard compacted soil. Such excessive cultivation can also discourage the garden earthworms habitat, and they are the best free labor a gardener will ever have.
Some followers of permaculture principals and organic gardening techniques have translated the no-dig gardens method into a never-dig method, which I believe that they are sadly mistaken. If you start with a base soil that is badly compacted, then no-dig gardens will initially work well, however you may find your garden does not continue to perform well in the long run. The fertile compost layer you have built up will encourage the earthworm’s reproduction, but we do know that the worms eventually will need shelter from excessive hot, dry, cold or wet conditions. They have been found to seek shelter from extreme conditions by burrowing more deeply into the soil, sometime many feet down. If they cannot shelter in this way, it is my contention that they will die out or move out.
My belief is that an initial cultivation (tilling) of the soil before you apply the no-dig gardens system will guarantee a better environment for an earthworm’s habitat, and then produce a much better home garden soil for growing your plants, over the longer term.
By all means give the no-dig approach a try – especially for you new homeowners – you will be surprisingly pleased with the result.
Successful Gardening!
Kali S Winters is a gardening enthusiast and author who spends much of her time teaching others how to setup and maintain beautiful, amazing gardens. Check out Kali’s latest book, “Holistic Herbs~A Beginners Guide to Herbal Gardening” Here! Discover more about Organic Garden Tips Here! by signing up for Kali’s gardening mini course.
About the Author
Kali S Winters is a gardening enthusiast and author who spends much of her time teaching others how to setup and maintain beautiful, amazing gardens. Check out one of Kali’s latest bonus books, “The Golden Book of Orchids” Here! which is available for immediate download. Discover more about Flower Gardening Here!
Bugs climbing all over my broad beans.?
Calling all green fingered veg growers out there!
Recently I bought and potted up a healthy broad bean plant and it was doing quite well, out in the garden in the sun.
Saturday I noticed a few ants clambering all over the main stem, so I gave them a quick blast of an organic bug spray.
Today, the bugs are back with some of their friends!
So, do ants actually harm the plant (right now there are nibble holes but I think this has been done by a rogue slug) or are they actually doing me a favour and munching any of the other bugs?
If they are likely to devour my plant, how do I go about killing them – keep in mind I do plan on eating this veg at some point so ideally I’d like a natural way as possible rather than having to resort to chemicals.
I’ve looked through several garden books but can find no info on this.
Many thanks for your help!
Try a companion crop planted next to the bean. Here is some info: Beans – Beans make great companions for carrots, strawberries, corn, peas, potatoes, cucumbers, rosemary and radishes. Just about any veggie except onions and garlic goes well with beans growing nearby. Good herb:Summer savory
Organic Gardening Books – The 50 Best Gardening Books Ever