What Is A Cover Crop: A General Idea About Cover Crops and Their Benefits

organic gardening - Looking for Aquaponics And Hydroponics Systems Today i will give you some info about organic gardening, i was write this article for sharing Article organic, Article organic gardening, I hope this article very helpfull for you

Judul : What Is A Cover Crop: A General Idea About Cover Crops and Their Benefits
link : What Is A Cover Crop: A General Idea About Cover Crops and Their Benefits

organic gardening

What is a Cover crop?

These are usually the plants that we seed in the garden soil before planting regular plants. They generally happen to be of low cost, nature friendly and easy to grow. The primary function of this is to improve ecosystem quality. Plant them in vacant places; they will work their way into the soil. They are the best possible way to utilize your garden space during off-season. Cover cropping is the backbone of a sustainable annual cropping system.

Why use cover crops?

The benefits are not only limited to larger garden, even small gardens can also benefit from this.

You can easily give your soil a new life just by using cover crops. A revitalized soil means better crop yields in the future. A garden with cover crops mean lesser fertilizer in the years to come.

Weed suppression and pest suppression. The crops cover the weeds and prevent their growth by blocking the precious sunlight.

Cover crops increase soil protection by enhancing water infiltration and reduce run off specially during monsoon.

Cover crops especially legumes increase the nitrogen content of the soil. It helps in increasing overall plant health and increased pest-resistance.

The plants which have tap roots help in soil compaction.

It is very unlikely that you would get all the benefits from a single wonder plant. The key is to mix different cover crops according to you main growing plant. This will meet multiple benefits.

Cover crop seeds:

Cover crop seeds can be of Legumes, Non-legume broad leaves and Grass. You can select the seeds as per you needs. Just remember, While buying seeds make sure they are not genetically modified or treated with any type of herbicide or pesticide.

Cover crop solutions:

Technically, “any plant” can be a cover crop if it has been planted between periods of the regular crop production. One of the easiest and most popular cover crop is grass. It can grow easily in a place where soil drainage is a problem. It is easier to grow than legumes or any other small seeded crops. The fibrous root system of the grass helps in improving soil structure. Apart from grass there are plenty of other plants like Oats, Clover, Groundnut, Soya beans, pumpkin, etc., Having said that you should always give your local plants a priority.

Cover crop categories:

Cover crops can be categorized in few categories. Here are some of them:

Winter cover crops: these are planted in late summer and they become functional in winter. Plants like clover, peas, rye, etc.,

Summer green manure cover crops: Legumes such as soybean, cowpeas Non-legumes like millet or buckwheat are examples of this type. The basic purpose of using these types of plants is to improve the soil condition.

Forage crops: These are short rotation crops. Plants like white clover, red clover, alfalfa,etc., are some of the examples of this category.

Catch crops: Plants such as Rye is an excellent example of this. The primary purpose of this type of cover crops is stop the leaching of nutrient from the soil.

Give your feedback about the article. Use the comment box below.

What is a Cover crop?

These are usually the plants that we seed in the garden soil before planting regular plants. They generally happen to be of low cost, nature friendly and easy to grow. The primary function of this is to improve ecosystem quality. Plant them in vacant places; they will work their way into the soil. They are the best possible way to utilize your garden space during off-season. Cover cropping is the backbone of a sustainable annual cropping system.

Why use cover crops?

The benefits are not only limited to larger garden, even small gardens can also benefit from this.

You can easily give your soil a new life just by using cover crops. A revitalized soil means better crop yields in the future. A garden with cover crops mean lesser fertilizer in the years to come.

Weed suppression and pest suppression. The crops cover the weeds and prevent their growth by blocking the precious sunlight.

Cover crops increase soil protection by enhancing water infiltration and reduce run off specially during monsoon.

Cover crops especially legumes increase the nitrogen content of the soil. It helps in increasing overall plant health and increased pest-resistance.

The plants which have tap roots help in soil compaction.

It is very unlikely that you would get all the benefits from a single wonder plant. The key is to mix different cover crops according to you main growing plant. This will meet multiple benefits.

Cover crop seeds:

Cover crop seeds can be of Legumes, Non-legume broad leaves and Grass. You can select the seeds as per you needs. Just remember, While buying seeds make sure they are not genetically modified or treated with any type of herbicide or pesticide.

Cover crop solutions:

Technically, “any plant” can be a cover crop if it has been planted between periods of the regular crop production. One of the easiest and most popular cover crop is grass. It can grow easily in a place where soil drainage is a problem. It is easier to grow than legumes or any other small seeded crops. The fibrous root system of the grass helps in improving soil structure. Apart from grass there are plenty of other plants like Oats, Clover, Groundnut, Soya beans, pumpkin, etc., Having said that you should always give your local plants a priority.

Cover crop categories:

Cover crops can be categorized in few categories. Here are some of them:

Winter cover crops: these are planted in late summer and they become functional in winter. Plants like clover, peas, rye, etc.,

Summer green manure cover crops: Legumes such as soybean, cowpeas Non-legumes like millet or buckwheat are examples of this type. The basic purpose of using these types of plants is to improve the soil condition.

Forage crops: These are short rotation crops. Plants like white clover, red clover, alfalfa,etc., are some of the examples of this category.

Catch crops: Plants such as Rye is an excellent example of this. The primary purpose of this type of cover crops is stop the leaching of nutrient from the soil.

Give your feedback about the article. Use the comment box below.

Using Manure to Fertilize the Garden

organic gardening - Looking for Aquaponics And Hydroponics Systems Today i will give you some info about organic gardening, i was write this article for sharing Article fertilizer, Article organic gardening, I hope this article very helpfull for you

Judul : Using Manure to Fertilize the Garden
link : Using Manure to Fertilize the Garden

organic gardening

Though we all use different types of organic fertilizers, Animal waste products or Manure is probably the cheapest way to fertilize the garden.

Animal manure is one of the few very low cost nutrient rich fertilizers that are available to us. It might not sound as glamourous as other fertilizing options but

it actually helps a garden by adding nutrients and other micro bacteria.It also reduces the frequency of watering the garden because of its water holding capacity.

Having said that, if not used properly it can create a huge problem in the garden. in terms of infections and diseases to the plants as well as the people who deals with it.

Most of the manure are Generally a good source of Nitrogen Phosphorous and Potassium (NPK) some variation happens due to their food habits. Here are some of the most common manure

Chicken manure: They are rich in nitrogen and ammonia. They can be too hot to handle for plants if applied directly.

Goat or sheep manure: Drier, less odorous and easy to apply

Cow or horse manure: Contains a wide range of materials but little difficult to apply

Dog, Cat or Pig Manure:Most of the time they are infested with pathogens so best is to avoid them

worm casting: it is very rich in nutrients but often expensive in comparison to others.

How to use the Manure?

The best way to use the manure is to get it composted. Manures generally have a high ratio of nitrogen compared to other composting ingredients. And so it needed to be composted with some dry leaves etc which have a higher ratio of carbon material. You should maintain the proper C:N ratio for the compost to work well.

Use two different beans one for the mixing the manure with dry leaves etc. and the second one is for the decomposed one.

First mix the manure with dry leaves etc and keep it for one month or so for decomposition. Keep adding water from time to time for provide moisture. It will heat up and can reach up to a temperature of 130 degrees. Once you realize the temperature has been settled down it is time for the compost to be shifted to the second bin.

Some manure will take more than that. Spread the composted manure over the garden 1/2 inch thick. Add more in case the soil is very poor in quality with little or no organic matter.

Caution:

Don't add excessive amount of water to the compost. If you are doing it during rainy season it is important that you cover the bin with plastic.

Use gloves through out the entire process while handling manure.

Wash your hands properly after finishing the work.

Using raw manure is not advisable but if you still want to use it, apply it 60 days prior to planting any vegetable. Plant any cover crop in between and let the manure mature.

What do you think about the article? Share your thoughts:

Though we all use different types of organic fertilizers, Animal waste products or Manure is probably the cheapest way to fertilize the garden.

Animal manure is one of the few very low cost nutrient rich fertilizers that are available to us. It might not sound as glamourous as other fertilizing options but

it actually helps a garden by adding nutrients and other micro bacteria.It also reduces the frequency of watering the garden because of its water holding capacity.

Having said that, if not used properly it can create a huge problem in the garden. in terms of infections and diseases to the plants as well as the people who deals with it.

Most of the manure are Generally a good source of Nitrogen Phosphorous and Potassium (NPK) some variation happens due to their food habits. Here are some of the most common manure

Chicken manure: They are rich in nitrogen and ammonia. They can be too hot to handle for plants if applied directly.

Goat or sheep manure: Drier, less odorous and easy to apply

Cow or horse manure: Contains a wide range of materials but little difficult to apply

Dog, Cat or Pig Manure:Most of the time they are infested with pathogens so best is to avoid them

worm casting: it is very rich in nutrients but often expensive in comparison to others.

How to use the Manure?

The best way to use the manure is to get it composted. Manures generally have a high ratio of nitrogen compared to other composting ingredients. And so it needed to be composted with some dry leaves etc which have a higher ratio of carbon material. You should maintain the proper C:N ratio for the compost to work well.

Use two different beans one for the mixing the manure with dry leaves etc. and the second one is for the decomposed one.

First mix the manure with dry leaves etc and keep it for one month or so for decomposition. Keep adding water from time to time for provide moisture. It will heat up and can reach up to a temperature of 130 degrees. Once you realize the temperature has been settled down it is time for the compost to be shifted to the second bin.

Some manure will take more than that. Spread the composted manure over the garden 1/2 inch thick. Add more in case the soil is very poor in quality with little or no organic matter.

Caution:

Don't add excessive amount of water to the compost. If you are doing it during rainy season it is important that you cover the bin with plastic.

Use gloves through out the entire process while handling manure.

Wash your hands properly after finishing the work.

Using raw manure is not advisable but if you still want to use it, apply it 60 days prior to planting any vegetable. Plant any cover crop in between and let the manure mature.

What do you think about the article? Share your thoughts:

How to Make a garden Pollinator friendly

organic gardening - Looking for Aquaponics And Hydroponics Systems Today i will give you some info about organic gardening, i was write this article for sharing Article Bees, Article organic gardening, Article Pollination, Article pollinator, I hope this article very helpfull for you

Judul : How to Make a garden Pollinator friendly
link : How to Make a garden Pollinator friendly

organic gardening

In this article I will talk about “how can you make your garden much more pollinator friendly” and thus improve  efficiency in yielding crops.


So lets start with:

What is pollination and who are the pollinators?

Pollination is a process of moving pollens from one flower to another flower of the same species and thus producing fertile seeds. It is a compulsory process for
flowering plants.
The pollinators who help in pollination can be inanimate like wind, water or it can be living species like Bees, Butterflies, Wasp or smaller birds (like Hummingbird).

Why they need our help?

A pollinator like bee feeds on the pollen from flowering plants and in turn pollinate it to grow fruits. These fruits are not only consumed by humans but also by various species living in this planet. They are vital to the ecosystem and their are hardly any alternative available to humans to pollinate such a wide range of flowering plants.
Several species of bees and butterflies have lost their habitat due to excessive deforestation and use of pesticides. We can at least do a bit from our side to increase their population or it will hurt ourselves in the long run.

How can we help them? 

Here are some of steps you can take to make a Garden much more Pollinator friendly:

1. Plant native plants: Pollinators are most comfortable with native plants. Most of them have a particular choice of plant for their feeding. A foreign plant might not provide the pollinator their required pollen. Plant different varieties of plants so you would get a diverse mix of different pollinators.

Here are some Plant preference for different pollinators:
a. Bees: They prefer blue, yellow and purple coloured flowers with sweet fragrances. Ensure your garden have enough native plants of these features; you don't wanna miss “The most active pollinators”, do you?
b.Butterflies: Though they normally feed on any nectar rich flower; their preference is always platform shaped sunflowers. Keep them in your garden and you will never miss those beautiful creatures.
c. Moths: Plants that are white in colour and have strong sweet smell are most preferred by moths.
d. Others: There may be other types of pollinators in your locality. Study their habitat and behaviour and try to match these in your garden.

2. Plant quite a few plants together for creating a better attraction to the pollinators: it will increase their foraging efficiency.

3. Plant in such a way so that you get blooming flowers through out the year. It would give the pollinators enough motivation to come to your garden though out the year and not in a particular season.

4. Provide nesting opportunity: There can be different types of pollinators in your garden so their needs for building nests would be different. Keep small piles of branches, wooden logs etc for bees and wasps to build their nests. Plant some of the plants which are conducive for butterflies to lay eggs.

5. Stop using pesticides all together you definitely don't want to kill your visitors after inviting them to your garden.

6. Have patience: It takes time for plants to grow and bear flowers. Pollinators will eventually find your garden. It might take some time for them to locate your garden in case it is far from their nests. So have patience.

7. Help others to create pollinator friendly gardens: Share information about pollinator friendly gardens. Help others around your locality to build such garden. It will attract pollinators to their gardens as well as yours.


Use these information and other valuable resource available on internet to educate yourself and apply the knowledge in your garden.



Did you like the article? Share your thoughts below:

In this article I will talk about “how can you make your garden much more pollinator friendly” and thus improve  efficiency in yielding crops.


So lets start with:

What is pollination and who are the pollinators?

Pollination is a process of moving pollens from one flower to another flower of the same species and thus producing fertile seeds. It is a compulsory process for
flowering plants.
The pollinators who help in pollination can be inanimate like wind, water or it can be living species like Bees, Butterflies, Wasp or smaller birds (like Hummingbird).

Why they need our help?

A pollinator like bee feeds on the pollen from flowering plants and in turn pollinate it to grow fruits. These fruits are not only consumed by humans but also by various species living in this planet. They are vital to the ecosystem and their are hardly any alternative available to humans to pollinate such a wide range of flowering plants.
Several species of bees and butterflies have lost their habitat due to excessive deforestation and use of pesticides. We can at least do a bit from our side to increase their population or it will hurt ourselves in the long run.

How can we help them? 

Here are some of steps you can take to make a Garden much more Pollinator friendly:

1. Plant native plants: Pollinators are most comfortable with native plants. Most of them have a particular choice of plant for their feeding. A foreign plant might not provide the pollinator their required pollen. Plant different varieties of plants so you would get a diverse mix of different pollinators.

Here are some Plant preference for different pollinators:
a. Bees: They prefer blue, yellow and purple coloured flowers with sweet fragrances. Ensure your garden have enough native plants of these features; you don't wanna miss “The most active pollinators”, do you?
b.Butterflies: Though they normally feed on any nectar rich flower; their preference is always platform shaped sunflowers. Keep them in your garden and you will never miss those beautiful creatures.
c. Moths: Plants that are white in colour and have strong sweet smell are most preferred by moths.
d. Others: There may be other types of pollinators in your locality. Study their habitat and behaviour and try to match these in your garden.

2. Plant quite a few plants together for creating a better attraction to the pollinators: it will increase their foraging efficiency.

3. Plant in such a way so that you get blooming flowers through out the year. It would give the pollinators enough motivation to come to your garden though out the year and not in a particular season.

4. Provide nesting opportunity: There can be different types of pollinators in your garden so their needs for building nests would be different. Keep small piles of branches, wooden logs etc for bees and wasps to build their nests. Plant some of the plants which are conducive for butterflies to lay eggs.

5. Stop using pesticides all together you definitely don't want to kill your visitors after inviting them to your garden.

6. Have patience: It takes time for plants to grow and bear flowers. Pollinators will eventually find your garden. It might take some time for them to locate your garden in case it is far from their nests. So have patience.

7. Help others to create pollinator friendly gardens: Share information about pollinator friendly gardens. Help others around your locality to build such garden. It will attract pollinators to their gardens as well as yours.


Use these information and other valuable resource available on internet to educate yourself and apply the knowledge in your garden.



Did you like the article? Share your thoughts below:

Top 8 pests of Tomatoes

organic gardening - Looking for Aquaponics And Hydroponics Systems Today i will give you some info about organic gardening, i was write this article for sharing Article organic gardening, Article pests, Article Tomato, I hope this article very helpfull for you

Judul : Top 8 pests of Tomatoes
link : Top 8 pests of Tomatoes

organic gardening

I have discussed about tomato growing in one of my earlier article. This article is more about various problems which we face while growing tomatoes. So here are the top 8 pests which may prevent you from getting your desired results though not in the same order.

Most Dangerous Tomato Pests:

1. 

   Aphids: 

   These are very small insects which are found on the leaves or the stems of the plant. Though one or two of them may not cause any major harm to the plant, once the numbers grow they create problems like curly leaves or yellowing of the plant or leave some sticky residue on the plant.
   

2. Cutworms: 

    They are very tiny caterpillars and suck the juice out of the plant. Severe attack results in chewed stem which can easily seen on an infected plant.
   
   

3. Horn-worms: 

    These are cylindrical in shape and greenish in color. You would find them underside of leaves. They have a voracious appetite and can eat up most of the plant in couple of days.
   
   

4. Beetles: 

    These are also called Flea-beetles as they resembles a flea. Though I have mentioned it as Tomato pest, it can also cause damage to cabbage, potatoes, eggplants etc. If your plant is being affected by beetles you will find numerous small holes in the leaves.
   
   

5. Psyllid: 

    These results purplish veins in the leaves of the plant.
   
   

6. Spider Mites: 

    They form webs on underside of the plant.
   
   

7. Nematodes: 

    It is one of most problematic areas of tomato growing. These are tiny little (often microscopic), worms which infest the soil. I have written a separate article on nematodes and their control. You can find the article here.
   
   

8. White-flies: 

    They feed on plant juices and leave behind a sticky residue.
   
   

How to Prevent The Tomato Pests: 

 There are several ways to fight those problems. It is very easy to get tempted to opt for chemical pesticides but the bad news is that many of the pests have developed resistance to the chemicals. So to solve the problem we must give organic methods a chance.

You can try spraying water or organic mixtures such as Neem oil, garlic extracts. Some of the pests can be easily removed by just picking them with hands for some you can try crop rotation or companion planting. They are so many ways by which the pests can be prevented by using organic means. You will find many techniques if you explore the site.

Please do post your comments and your experiences in handling tomato pests.

I have discussed about tomato growing in one of my earlier article. This article is more about various problems which we face while growing tomatoes. So here are the top 8 pests which may prevent you from getting your desired results though not in the same order.

Most Dangerous Tomato Pests:

1. 

   Aphids: 

   These are very small insects which are found on the leaves or the stems of the plant. Though one or two of them may not cause any major harm to the plant, once the numbers grow they create problems like curly leaves or yellowing of the plant or leave some sticky residue on the plant.
   

2. Cutworms: 

    They are very tiny caterpillars and suck the juice out of the plant. Severe attack results in chewed stem which can easily seen on an infected plant.
   
   

3. Horn-worms: 

    These are cylindrical in shape and greenish in color. You would find them underside of leaves. They have a voracious appetite and can eat up most of the plant in couple of days.
   
   

4. Beetles: 

    These are also called Flea-beetles as they resembles a flea. Though I have mentioned it as Tomato pest, it can also cause damage to cabbage, potatoes, eggplants etc. If your plant is being affected by beetles you will find numerous small holes in the leaves.
   
   

5. Psyllid: 

    These results purplish veins in the leaves of the plant.
   
   

6. Spider Mites: 

    They form webs on underside of the plant.
   
   

7. Nematodes: 

    It is one of most problematic areas of tomato growing. These are tiny little (often microscopic), worms which infest the soil. I have written a separate article on nematodes and their control. You can find the article here.
   
   

8. White-flies: 

    They feed on plant juices and leave behind a sticky residue.
   
   

How to Prevent The Tomato Pests: 

 There are several ways to fight those problems. It is very easy to get tempted to opt for chemical pesticides but the bad news is that many of the pests have developed resistance to the chemicals. So to solve the problem we must give organic methods a chance.

You can try spraying water or organic mixtures such as Neem oil, garlic extracts. Some of the pests can be easily removed by just picking them with hands for some you can try crop rotation or companion planting. They are so many ways by which the pests can be prevented by using organic means. You will find many techniques if you explore the site.

Please do post your comments and your experiences in handling tomato pests.

Crop Rotation System | 9 Crop Families and A guide To Vegetable Crop Rotaion

organic gardening - Looking for Aquaponics And Hydroponics Systems Today i will give you some info about organic gardening, i was write this article for sharing Article companion planting, Article crop rotation, Article organic gardening, I hope this article very helpfull for you

Judul : Crop Rotation System | 9 Crop Families and A guide To Vegetable Crop Rotaion
link : Crop Rotation System | 9 Crop Families and A guide To Vegetable Crop Rotaion

organic gardening

Crop rotation system refers to the process or techniques of rotating different crops on the same plot of land throughout the year. Basically it explains the facts of nature that some plants are complementary to others in the natural habitat. This a must know subject for every gardener and organic gardener in particular. Apart from getting a full bounty of continuous supply of different crops throughout the year, it also reduces the cost of pest management and fertilization.

Benefits of Crop Rotation:

Some of the key benefits of crop rotation are:

1. Fertilization of soil: One of the most important and crucial impacts of crop rotation is that it keeps the soil fertility for longer period of time. You need to apply nutrients from outside less frequently than in normal circumstances.
   
   As different crops use different soil nutrients you will never run out of any particular nutrient. For example, plants like leafy vegetables or Tomatoes use far too much nitrogen and phosphorus than plants like Carrots and Beetroots. So if you use the same area of your garden to grow Tomato you have to add phosphorus and Nitrogen from outside otherwise you would not get the desired result.
   
2. Weed controlling: Some crops (like Potato and squash) with their dense vegetation tends to prevent the growth of any other unwanted plants by suppressing sunlight and other environmental factors. And, thus it makes a weed free place for the following crops.
   
3. Pest management: Crop rotations also help in reducing the amount of pests and disease problems. Some of the plant actually compliment each other in managing pests. These plants are called companion plants. You can read more about companion plants in our article
   
   

   Companion Planting A Basic Know-How

The Process Of Crop Rotation:

Before understanding the process of Crop rotation, you need to know little bit about the type of plants and it's grouping. This is done based on their common features and requirements.

Most of the common vegetables can be classified into five groups:

1. Brassicas: this group includes vegetables such as Cabbage, Cauliflower, Radish, Turnips, etc.,
2. Legumes: Plants such as Peas, Beans are some of the examples of this.
3. Onions: Onions, Garlic, Leek etc
4. Potatoes: Potato, Tomato etc
5. Roots: Carrots, Beetroots Etc.
   
   
   
   First thing to do is to divide your gardening space in roughly Four equal parts. Then, plant different plants in different sections. As for example for first year plant peas, beans and other legumes in section 1, Cabbage, cauliflower Radish, etc., in section 2, Tomatoes in section 3 and club Onions and roots like Carrots or beetroots in section 4.
   
   Then after a year move the vegetables anticlockwise to another section. This is a four-year rotation plan. You can divide your garden area according to your rotation plan.
   
   
   
   Hope you enjoyed the article, please share your thoughts regarding this post.
   
   

Crop rotation system refers to the process or techniques of rotating different crops on the same plot of land throughout the year. Basically it explains the facts of nature that some plants are complementary to others in the natural habitat. This a must know subject for every gardener and organic gardener in particular. Apart from getting a full bounty of continuous supply of different crops throughout the year, it also reduces the cost of pest management and fertilization.

Benefits of Crop Rotation:

Some of the key benefits of crop rotation are:

1. Fertilization of soil: One of the most important and crucial impacts of crop rotation is that it keeps the soil fertility for longer period of time. You need to apply nutrients from outside less frequently than in normal circumstances.
   
   As different crops use different soil nutrients you will never run out of any particular nutrient. For example, plants like leafy vegetables or Tomatoes use far too much nitrogen and phosphorus than plants like Carrots and Beetroots. So if you use the same area of your garden to grow Tomato you have to add phosphorus and Nitrogen from outside otherwise you would not get the desired result.
   
2. Weed controlling: Some crops (like Potato and squash) with their dense vegetation tends to prevent the growth of any other unwanted plants by suppressing sunlight and other environmental factors. And, thus it makes a weed free place for the following crops.
   
3. Pest management: Crop rotations also help in reducing the amount of pests and disease problems. Some of the plant actually compliment each other in managing pests. These plants are called companion plants. You can read more about companion plants in our article
   
   

   Companion Planting A Basic Know-How

The Process Of Crop Rotation:

Before understanding the process of Crop rotation, you need to know little bit about the type of plants and it's grouping. This is done based on their common features and requirements.

Most of the common vegetables can be classified into five groups:

1. Brassicas: this group includes vegetables such as Cabbage, Cauliflower, Radish, Turnips, etc.,
2. Legumes: Plants such as Peas, Beans are some of the examples of this.
3. Onions: Onions, Garlic, Leek etc
4. Potatoes: Potato, Tomato etc
5. Roots: Carrots, Beetroots Etc.
   
   
   
   First thing to do is to divide your gardening space in roughly Four equal parts. Then, plant different plants in different sections. As for example for first year plant peas, beans and other legumes in section 1, Cabbage, cauliflower Radish, etc., in section 2, Tomatoes in section 3 and club Onions and roots like Carrots or beetroots in section 4.
   
   Then after a year move the vegetables anticlockwise to another section. This is a four-year rotation plan. You can divide your garden area according to your rotation plan.
   
   
   
   Hope you enjoyed the article, please share your thoughts regarding this post.
   
   

Top Five Perennial Vegetables

organic gardening - Looking for Aquaponics And Hydroponics Systems Today i will give you some info about organic gardening, i was write this article for sharing Article organic gardening, Article Perennial, Article top five, I hope this article very helpfull for you

Judul : Top Five Perennial Vegetables
link : Top Five Perennial Vegetables

organic gardening

In one of our earlier article we have stressed on some points on the importance of growing perennial vegetables. There are so many vegetables which can be grown as perennials. Here in this article we will give you five of the most common perennials which are our favourite also. So here is a list of our fav five:

1. Papaya: A good choice as a fruit and also as vegetable (the raw ones). A papaya plant can produce more than 100 kgs of fruit in a year. They can be grown from seeds as well as through vegetation.
   
2. 
   Garlic: Though in most of the places garlic is grown as annuals it is basically a perennial plant. It is one of the healthiest vegetable you can get in the nature. 
   
    
3. Groundnut: Apart from their perennial features they are also known for their ability to fix nitrogen in the soil. The edible part of the plant is tubers. You can easily grow them by sowing tubers in moist soil.
   
   
4.  Sweet Potato: Apart from the roots of the plant leaves are also edible and are used in many parts of the world. The leaves are much more enriched in protein than the tubers.
   
   
5. Bitter Melon: as the name suggests they are bitter in taste. Their immature fruits are the most consumed part of the plant. They growing techniques are more or less similar to that of growing cucumbers.

This is a short list of our favourites. Which one do you grow? Share your experience with us.

If you liked the article share with your friends. You can use the sharing tool below:

In one of our earlier article we have stressed on some points on the importance of growing perennial vegetables. There are so many vegetables which can be grown as perennials. Here in this article we will give you five of the most common perennials which are our favourite also. So here is a list of our fav five:

1. Papaya: A good choice as a fruit and also as vegetable (the raw ones). A papaya plant can produce more than 100 kgs of fruit in a year. They can be grown from seeds as well as through vegetation.
   
2. 
   Garlic: Though in most of the places garlic is grown as annuals it is basically a perennial plant. It is one of the healthiest vegetable you can get in the nature. 
   
    
3. Groundnut: Apart from their perennial features they are also known for their ability to fix nitrogen in the soil. The edible part of the plant is tubers. You can easily grow them by sowing tubers in moist soil.
   
   
4.  Sweet Potato: Apart from the roots of the plant leaves are also edible and are used in many parts of the world. The leaves are much more enriched in protein than the tubers.
   
   
5. Bitter Melon: as the name suggests they are bitter in taste. Their immature fruits are the most consumed part of the plant. They growing techniques are more or less similar to that of growing cucumbers.

This is a short list of our favourites. Which one do you grow? Share your experience with us.

If you liked the article share with your friends. You can use the sharing tool below:

Companion Planting: A basic Know-how

organic gardening - Looking for Aquaponics And Hydroponics Systems Today i will give you some info about organic gardening, i was write this article for sharing Article basics, Article companion planting, Article jargons, Article Know How, Article organic, Article organic gardening, I hope this article very helpfull for you

Judul : Companion Planting: A basic Know-how
link : Companion Planting: A basic Know-how

organic gardening

What Is Companion Planting?

Companion planting is a process where two or more different kind of plants are planted in close proximity to provide some benefits such as pest control and pollination to the plants. The best part of companion planting is that it is organic or natures way of controlling pests and improve pollination. 

We all aware of the benefits of going organic. I have written an article on this also. If you are interested to know more about the benefits of being an organic gardener you can check this post.

There are various mixes of plants which apart from making the garden more eye catchy, provide a healthy benefit to the plants. From ancient times and before the introduction of mass scale pesticides and fertilizer, people used the concepts of companion planting. They believed certain combination of plants have mysterious power to help each other. Now science also proved that some combination in deed help to grow the plants very well.

Benefits Of using Companion Plants:

There are basically 4 type of benefits you get by opting for companion plantation:

1. It helps both the plants to grow. Tall plants provide shade to the sun sensitive shorter plants.
2. You can use your space more productively. It also increases the chances of getting a good yield, even if one crop fails.
3. This provides pest control in an organic way. Some companion plants help in preventing pest insects and pathogenic fungi. It can also divert pests from the other plant.
4. It attracts pollination by attracting beneficial insects. Companion plants some time produce more nectar than the main plant and thus attract more beneficial insects.

 

Best Companion Plants For Tomatoes:

Examples Of Companion Gardening:

Below are some of the example of companion gardening:

Planting beans and corns together can be beneficial for both of them. The beans fix nitrogen to the soil which also benefits the corn. Whereas the cornstalk can be used as a trellis by the bean plant to climb up.

Growing dill and cabbage can be another example of companion planting. Dill can attract many beneficial wasp which can control cabbage worms and other cabbage pests.

Planting basil along with tomatoes (click here for tomato growing tips) can improve the flavor and growth of tomatoes. It also repels mosquitoes.

Planting garlic near tomato or cabbage plant can help to control beetle and aphids from infecting tomatoes.

Cucumber and radish also work together pretty well. Radishes help to deter cucumber beetles. But make sure cucumber is not planted near potatoes as it can encourage the late blight in potatoes.

There are so many such combinations available. You can find many of them through internet.

I hope you get an idea about the companion gardening concept through this blog. It is definitely an option you can try out in case you are thinking of going organic. Check my blog the meaning of organic for more information about going organic.

Read Best companion plants for Tomatoes

Thanks for reading the article. Enjoy Gardening.

What Is Companion Planting?

Companion planting is a process where two or more different kind of plants are planted in close proximity to provide some benefits such as pest control and pollination to the plants. The best part of companion planting is that it is organic or natures way of controlling pests and improve pollination. 

We all aware of the benefits of going organic. I have written an article on this also. If you are interested to know more about the benefits of being an organic gardener you can check this post.

There are various mixes of plants which apart from making the garden more eye catchy, provide a healthy benefit to the plants. From ancient times and before the introduction of mass scale pesticides and fertilizer, people used the concepts of companion planting. They believed certain combination of plants have mysterious power to help each other. Now science also proved that some combination in deed help to grow the plants very well.

Benefits Of using Companion Plants:

There are basically 4 type of benefits you get by opting for companion plantation:

1. It helps both the plants to grow. Tall plants provide shade to the sun sensitive shorter plants.
2. You can use your space more productively. It also increases the chances of getting a good yield, even if one crop fails.
3. This provides pest control in an organic way. Some companion plants help in preventing pest insects and pathogenic fungi. It can also divert pests from the other plant.
4. It attracts pollination by attracting beneficial insects. Companion plants some time produce more nectar than the main plant and thus attract more beneficial insects.

 

Best Companion Plants For Tomatoes:

Examples Of Companion Gardening:

Below are some of the example of companion gardening:

Planting beans and corns together can be beneficial for both of them. The beans fix nitrogen to the soil which also benefits the corn. Whereas the cornstalk can be used as a trellis by the bean plant to climb up.

Growing dill and cabbage can be another example of companion planting. Dill can attract many beneficial wasp which can control cabbage worms and other cabbage pests.

Planting basil along with tomatoes (click here for tomato growing tips) can improve the flavor and growth of tomatoes. It also repels mosquitoes.

Planting garlic near tomato or cabbage plant can help to control beetle and aphids from infecting tomatoes.

Cucumber and radish also work together pretty well. Radishes help to deter cucumber beetles. But make sure cucumber is not planted near potatoes as it can encourage the late blight in potatoes.

There are so many such combinations available. You can find many of them through internet.

I hope you get an idea about the companion gardening concept through this blog. It is definitely an option you can try out in case you are thinking of going organic. Check my blog the meaning of organic for more information about going organic.

Read Best companion plants for Tomatoes

Thanks for reading the article. Enjoy Gardening.

Top Five Aquaponics Fish for The Fish Tank

organic gardening - Looking for Aquaponics And Hydroponics Systems Today i will give you some info about organic gardening, i was write this article for sharing Article Aquaponic gardening, Article organic gardening, Article top five, I hope this article very helpfull for you

Judul : Top Five Aquaponics Fish for The Fish Tank
link : Top Five Aquaponics Fish for The Fish Tank

organic gardening

In our earlier article we have given you an elementary idea about Aquaponics system and basics of Aquaponics Design. To extend our discussion here, in this article we will give you an idea about the various Aquaponics Fish which you can grow in the system. Though you can grow almost any fish you want, we recommend that you stick with fresh water fishes as most of the vegetables don’t like salt water.


So here is top five Aquaponics fish of our choice:

1.    Tilapia: Tilapia is a warm water fish. Ideal temperature ranges from 70 to 85 degree F. The best part of growing tilapia is that most of the varieties are resistant to diseases and pests and can survive low oxygen  level also. Tilapia grows very fast and can reach a weight of 1 kilo in 6 to 8 months. A downside of the story is in some places growing tilapia is prohibited. So if you plan to grow them first check the rule book of your country.

2.    Koi: They can survive in a high variety of water temperature (ranging from 30 to 80 degree F). They are brightly colored and can be considered as ornamental fish. Over time they grow whiskers around their mouth and can grow really large. Koi are very tasty and you can definitely use them as food. They are generally expensive compared to other fishes.

3.    Catfish: They are bottom dwellers; meaning they remain in the bottom of the tank. They are warm water (love temperature of 60 to 80 degree F) fish. The mature fish can reach a length of 18 inches and can weight up to 1and half kilos. Use a fish tank whose diameter is at least 4 feet if you are planning to grow catfish. It doesn’t have any scales and is a good choice if you are planning to eat your fish. A mature catfish can feed an entire family. A word of caution: some of the catfishes have spines on their fins; so be careful while harvesting.

4.    Goldfish: Goldfish are cultured mostly for ornamental purposes and less for eating due to their fantastic color varieties and body types. They like the water temperature same as the catfishes. They can reach up to 10 inches in length. They are very social and love interacting with humans. Goldfishes release a lot of ammonia into the water which is why it is a great choice for the Aquaponic system.

5.    Trout: This is a cold water (ranges from 50 to 65 degree F) fish. They are delicious and thus used mostly for eating purpose. These fishes are carnivorous.  For growing trout you are required to provide them a lot of oxygen and quality water. Some people prefer to grow trout in the winter and some warm water fish during the summer seasons.


Here are some points to remember:

1.     Don’t mix herbivorous and carnivorous fishes together. Otherwise you will be left with only one variety of the fish in the tank.

2.    Don’t mix warm and cold water fishes.

3.    Maintain the proper temperature inside the fish tank.


<<<How to improve your vegetable production nearly 10 times by using all organic methods>>>



We hope you enjoyed the article. Please share your views by using the comment box below.

Related articles about Aquaponics:

Aquaponics System: Know the basics of Aquaponics Design

Advantages of Aquaponics System
Aquaponics System: 5 Steps To Success

Video: Preparing Aquaponics Fish Tank | Aquaponics Design A Step by Step Guide

In our earlier article we have given you an elementary idea about Aquaponics system and basics of Aquaponics Design. To extend our discussion here, in this article we will give you an idea about the various Aquaponics Fish which you can grow in the system. Though you can grow almost any fish you want, we recommend that you stick with fresh water fishes as most of the vegetables don’t like salt water.


So here is top five Aquaponics fish of our choice:

1.    Tilapia: Tilapia is a warm water fish. Ideal temperature ranges from 70 to 85 degree F. The best part of growing tilapia is that most of the varieties are resistant to diseases and pests and can survive low oxygen  level also. Tilapia grows very fast and can reach a weight of 1 kilo in 6 to 8 months. A downside of the story is in some places growing tilapia is prohibited. So if you plan to grow them first check the rule book of your country.

2.    Koi: They can survive in a high variety of water temperature (ranging from 30 to 80 degree F). They are brightly colored and can be considered as ornamental fish. Over time they grow whiskers around their mouth and can grow really large. Koi are very tasty and you can definitely use them as food. They are generally expensive compared to other fishes.

3.    Catfish: They are bottom dwellers; meaning they remain in the bottom of the tank. They are warm water (love temperature of 60 to 80 degree F) fish. The mature fish can reach a length of 18 inches and can weight up to 1and half kilos. Use a fish tank whose diameter is at least 4 feet if you are planning to grow catfish. It doesn’t have any scales and is a good choice if you are planning to eat your fish. A mature catfish can feed an entire family. A word of caution: some of the catfishes have spines on their fins; so be careful while harvesting.

4.    Goldfish: Goldfish are cultured mostly for ornamental purposes and less for eating due to their fantastic color varieties and body types. They like the water temperature same as the catfishes. They can reach up to 10 inches in length. They are very social and love interacting with humans. Goldfishes release a lot of ammonia into the water which is why it is a great choice for the Aquaponic system.

5.    Trout: This is a cold water (ranges from 50 to 65 degree F) fish. They are delicious and thus used mostly for eating purpose. These fishes are carnivorous.  For growing trout you are required to provide them a lot of oxygen and quality water. Some people prefer to grow trout in the winter and some warm water fish during the summer seasons.


Here are some points to remember:

1.     Don’t mix herbivorous and carnivorous fishes together. Otherwise you will be left with only one variety of the fish in the tank.

2.    Don’t mix warm and cold water fishes.

3.    Maintain the proper temperature inside the fish tank.


<<<How to improve your vegetable production nearly 10 times by using all organic methods>>>



We hope you enjoyed the article. Please share your views by using the comment box below.

Related articles about Aquaponics:

Aquaponics System: Know the basics of Aquaponics Design

Advantages of Aquaponics System
Aquaponics System: 5 Steps To Success

Video: Preparing Aquaponics Fish Tank | Aquaponics Design A Step by Step Guide

Sheet Composting

organic gardening - Looking for Aquaponics And Hydroponics Systems Today i will give you some info about organic gardening, i was write this article for sharing Article compost, Article composting, Article Mulch, Article organic, Article organic gardening, I hope this article very helpfull for you

Judul : Sheet Composting
link : Sheet Composting

organic gardening

Sheet composting is a very good way to practice organic gardening. If you are following our articles you must be aware of what compost is. If you have no idea about compost and composting I suggest check out this article. Now for making compost you need to store composting ingredients in a pile. For a urban gardeners this is not a good news. Generally in urban areas space is a major constrain. Sheet composting solves this problem. This article will give you an idea about how to use it to your benefit.

In this method you don’t heap the ingredients into a pile; rather you mix it directly with the soil. You can use a spade or a tiller for this purpose. What ever ingredients you have planned to put into the compost heap will do. Grass clippings, manure, leaves, egg shells, tea leaves all will work. Try to use a balanced mix of Carbon (C) and Nitrogen (N) when adding to the soil. More on C/N ration in this article.

You need to add this ingredients couple of months prior to planting. As these ingredients are not decomposed while mixing in the soil, it requires couple of months to degenerate and to release the nutrients. You can also add a layer of leaves or black plastic to increase the process of decomposing.

You don’t need to confuse sheet composting with mulching. The basic difference between the two is that mulching is used basically (even if you use organic materials) for weed protection and to retain water. Though it also boosts up soil quality it is not the primary focus of mulching; whereas sheet composting is done to boost the soil quality.

Sheet composting is a very good process if your garden soil is of poor quality. It also saves the soil from erosion. It is a lot less time and effort consuming than traditional composting.

Enjoyed the article? Please consider sharing it:

Sheet composting is a very good way to practice organic gardening. If you are following our articles you must be aware of what compost is. If you have no idea about compost and composting I suggest check out this article. Now for making compost you need to store composting ingredients in a pile. For a urban gardeners this is not a good news. Generally in urban areas space is a major constrain. Sheet composting solves this problem. This article will give you an idea about how to use it to your benefit.

In this method you don’t heap the ingredients into a pile; rather you mix it directly with the soil. You can use a spade or a tiller for this purpose. What ever ingredients you have planned to put into the compost heap will do. Grass clippings, manure, leaves, egg shells, tea leaves all will work. Try to use a balanced mix of Carbon (C) and Nitrogen (N) when adding to the soil. More on C/N ration in this article.

You need to add this ingredients couple of months prior to planting. As these ingredients are not decomposed while mixing in the soil, it requires couple of months to degenerate and to release the nutrients. You can also add a layer of leaves or black plastic to increase the process of decomposing.

You don’t need to confuse sheet composting with mulching. The basic difference between the two is that mulching is used basically (even if you use organic materials) for weed protection and to retain water. Though it also boosts up soil quality it is not the primary focus of mulching; whereas sheet composting is done to boost the soil quality.

Sheet composting is a very good process if your garden soil is of poor quality. It also saves the soil from erosion. It is a lot less time and effort consuming than traditional composting.

Enjoyed the article? Please consider sharing it:

Solarization: Know the Basics

organic gardening - Looking for Aquaponics And Hydroponics Systems Today i will give you some info about organic gardening, i was write this article for sharing Article basics, Article current trends in gardening, Article jargons, Article organic gardening, Article pests, Article soil, I hope this article very helpfull for you

Judul : Solarization: Know the Basics
link : Solarization: Know the Basics

organic gardening

Today we will discuss a very interesting but simple way for controlling weed problems in your garden. It is called Solarization process. We have used the term in our earlier article Weed controlling in organic ways. Here we will give some details so that you can try out in your garden.

In a very simple terms, solarization means using the heat from the sun to kill the weed in your garden. In this method the gardening area is covered with clear polythene then it is exposed to the full hot sun so that the light and heat can reach to the ground and cook the weed seeds which remained hidden inside the soil.
 

Why do I need soil Solarization?

Most people are unaware of this method and normally prefer other techniques in weed controlling. But there are some definite benefits which you get once you have decided to go for solarization.

There are so many weed seeds that are beneath the soil surface and are very hard to find. Though people put a thick layer of mulch to kill them, if the weed seeds are very vigorous, they can come on top of the mulch back to the light. Some time landscape fabrics are spread over the garden and then in some places holes are punched to plant new plants. This process in not full proof and can be infected by weeds. Though there is little bit hard work involved, it is by far the best way to kill the entire weeds in a given area. And once completed, your garden will be the best place for your new plants to live.

This method is entirely organic. There is no herbicide or other pesticides involved. You are using nature’s energy to a better use.

Although it is primarily meant to kill weeds, it will also reduce the nematodes, soil insects and many other soil borne diseases.

How to do Solarization:

The best time for practicing this is when the sun is at its full power i.e. in the summers. First choose the area which you want to solarize. Try to choose the area where there is very little shade available, the main purpose of the solarization will be hampered if the sun is blocked. Now once the area is fixed remove the existing weeds by tilling the land with a tiller. Till up to 6 inches depth. Please remove any sharp object which can poke holes in the polythene from this tilled area.

Next thing you need to do is to put some water in that area and make the soil moist. Don’t add too much water so that the soil becomes waterlogged. Water is a very important element in this process. It helps in heat conduction. Avoiding water in solarization, may not give you your desired result.

Cover the area with a clear polythene sheet. Don’t use any colored sheet as it will stop the sunlight to reach the soil. Stretch the polythene tightly and seal it completely. Sealing will help the heat to remain within the desired area and cook the weed seeds, insects, nematodes that can harm your plants. Keep the land in this way for at least 2 months.

After that, remove the polythene. Now the area has been solarized and the weeds, pests, nematodes all have been killed. This will remain weed free for 3 to 4 months. You can plant your desired plant now and enjoy it weed free. Don’t plant before removing the entire polythene because the heat can kill the plant.




If you like the article, share it with your friends:

Today we will discuss a very interesting but simple way for controlling weed problems in your garden. It is called Solarization process. We have used the term in our earlier article Weed controlling in organic ways. Here we will give some details so that you can try out in your garden.

In a very simple terms, solarization means using the heat from the sun to kill the weed in your garden. In this method the gardening area is covered with clear polythene then it is exposed to the full hot sun so that the light and heat can reach to the ground and cook the weed seeds which remained hidden inside the soil.
 

Why do I need soil Solarization?

Most people are unaware of this method and normally prefer other techniques in weed controlling. But there are some definite benefits which you get once you have decided to go for solarization.

There are so many weed seeds that are beneath the soil surface and are very hard to find. Though people put a thick layer of mulch to kill them, if the weed seeds are very vigorous, they can come on top of the mulch back to the light. Some time landscape fabrics are spread over the garden and then in some places holes are punched to plant new plants. This process in not full proof and can be infected by weeds. Though there is little bit hard work involved, it is by far the best way to kill the entire weeds in a given area. And once completed, your garden will be the best place for your new plants to live.

This method is entirely organic. There is no herbicide or other pesticides involved. You are using nature’s energy to a better use.

Although it is primarily meant to kill weeds, it will also reduce the nematodes, soil insects and many other soil borne diseases.

How to do Solarization:

The best time for practicing this is when the sun is at its full power i.e. in the summers. First choose the area which you want to solarize. Try to choose the area where there is very little shade available, the main purpose of the solarization will be hampered if the sun is blocked. Now once the area is fixed remove the existing weeds by tilling the land with a tiller. Till up to 6 inches depth. Please remove any sharp object which can poke holes in the polythene from this tilled area.

Next thing you need to do is to put some water in that area and make the soil moist. Don’t add too much water so that the soil becomes waterlogged. Water is a very important element in this process. It helps in heat conduction. Avoiding water in solarization, may not give you your desired result.

Cover the area with a clear polythene sheet. Don’t use any colored sheet as it will stop the sunlight to reach the soil. Stretch the polythene tightly and seal it completely. Sealing will help the heat to remain within the desired area and cook the weed seeds, insects, nematodes that can harm your plants. Keep the land in this way for at least 2 months.

After that, remove the polythene. Now the area has been solarized and the weeds, pests, nematodes all have been killed. This will remain weed free for 3 to 4 months. You can plant your desired plant now and enjoy it weed free. Don’t plant before removing the entire polythene because the heat can kill the plant.




If you like the article, share it with your friends:

Used Tea in Gardening Use

organic gardening - Looking for Aquaponics And Hydroponics Systems Today i will give you some info about organic gardening, i was write this article for sharing Article composting, Article organic gardening, Article tea, I hope this article very helpfull for you

Judul : Used Tea in Gardening Use
link : Used Tea in Gardening Use

organic gardening

Today we will discuss the use of used tea leaves in gardening. We all love tea. What better it would be if we can use the tea leaves after taking out the liquor from it and use it in garden.

Tea leaves are very rich in organic materials, disposing them like trash is like throwing out valuable natural resource. Adding them in the compost pile will reduce the need of adding other fertilizers.

They are a fantastic source of Nitrogen. After taking out the tea liquor, the remaining leaves can be used as a great source of nitrogen in the compost pile. It can be a good supplement to balance the brown materials (rich in carbon) of the compost pile. To know more about carbon nitrogen balance check out our earlier article on composting ingredients.

You can take out the tea leaves from the tea with a strainer.  Store these along with your kitchen scraps. Once the bucket gets filled dump them into the compost heap and let them decompose.

If you are using tea bags to prepare tea, you can use the bags also as composting ingredient. But while dumping the tea bags, cut them open and take the tea leaves out.  Not all tea bags can decompose. In cases where the bags are made up of nylons, they will not do any help in composting. Some tea bags can be made up of paper or silk they will decompose but the rate will be very different from the leaves. That is why it makes sense to take out the leaves from the bags.

Tea leaves can also be used as mulch. Unlike other kitchen scraps, tea leaves don’t need to be composted before applying as mulch. Tea leaves hold water in large quantity. So don’t apply if your garden soil is damp and your plant requires dryer soil.

Tea leaves also protect the plant from many soil borne diseases. It is a little acidic in nature so mixing with soil will decrease the pH of the soil, and provide ideal growing condition for many plants. Tea leaves are rich potassium (K) and phosphorous (K) apart from Nitrogen (N), which are key elements in plant growth. Tea leaves are beneficial for Mushrooms in particular. Tea leaves mixed with peat moss works wonder for Mushrooms. Apart from Mushrooms tea leaves have also shown good results in rose cultivation.


 
Share your view on this article:

Today we will discuss the use of used tea leaves in gardening. We all love tea. What better it would be if we can use the tea leaves after taking out the liquor from it and use it in garden.

Tea leaves are very rich in organic materials, disposing them like trash is like throwing out valuable natural resource. Adding them in the compost pile will reduce the need of adding other fertilizers.

They are a fantastic source of Nitrogen. After taking out the tea liquor, the remaining leaves can be used as a great source of nitrogen in the compost pile. It can be a good supplement to balance the brown materials (rich in carbon) of the compost pile. To know more about carbon nitrogen balance check out our earlier article on composting ingredients.

You can take out the tea leaves from the tea with a strainer.  Store these along with your kitchen scraps. Once the bucket gets filled dump them into the compost heap and let them decompose.

If you are using tea bags to prepare tea, you can use the bags also as composting ingredient. But while dumping the tea bags, cut them open and take the tea leaves out.  Not all tea bags can decompose. In cases where the bags are made up of nylons, they will not do any help in composting. Some tea bags can be made up of paper or silk they will decompose but the rate will be very different from the leaves. That is why it makes sense to take out the leaves from the bags.

Tea leaves can also be used as mulch. Unlike other kitchen scraps, tea leaves don’t need to be composted before applying as mulch. Tea leaves hold water in large quantity. So don’t apply if your garden soil is damp and your plant requires dryer soil.

Tea leaves also protect the plant from many soil borne diseases. It is a little acidic in nature so mixing with soil will decrease the pH of the soil, and provide ideal growing condition for many plants. Tea leaves are rich potassium (K) and phosphorous (K) apart from Nitrogen (N), which are key elements in plant growth. Tea leaves are beneficial for Mushrooms in particular. Tea leaves mixed with peat moss works wonder for Mushrooms. Apart from Mushrooms tea leaves have also shown good results in rose cultivation.


 
Share your view on this article:

Nematode problem in the garden

organic gardening - Looking for Aquaponics And Hydroponics Systems Today i will give you some info about organic gardening, i was write this article for sharing Article nematode, Article organic gardening, Article pests, I hope this article very helpfull for you

Judul : Nematode problem in the garden
link : Nematode problem in the garden

organic gardening

For a successful gardening nematode control is very essential. Now what is a nematode? A nematode refers to small microscopic, small round worms. They live in the soil and can cause a great damage to the roots of the plants. They interrupt plants normal process of taking water and other nutrients through the roots by burrowing into them. As a result various knobs are formed in the roots of the plant.

The most common of all the nematodes is root knot nematode (as it causes knots to the roots of many vegetables). Root knot nematodes affect a vast range of plants including Potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, roses etc.

  

The nematode infection is more common in sandy soil. Check out more on soil classification here. The nematodes cause shunted and low or no yielding plants.

How to battle this problem? As they say prevention is better than cure. There is hardly anything you can do to treat the infected plants. The best methods are preventive in nature.

There can be several ways you can fight this problem

Experts suggest that crop rotation is the best way to combat. Once you have used a place to grow vegetables in the next step use non-susceptible plant like grass in that area. Without the host the nematodes will starve and the population will reduce. Other than grass you can also use some resistant varieties of the vegetables to reduce nematode population.

If you are purchasing transplant, go for the nematode free variety only.

After harvesting crops, till the soil, and expose the roots in the sun. The effect of direct sunlight is fatal to the nematodes.

Planting marigold plants as companion along with other vegetables can help reducing nematode population. They release some chemical from their roots which are toxic to the nematodes.

A healthy soil itself acts as a buffer to nematode problems. In a healthy soil, nematodes as well as their parasites (various microorganisms) are present. So this will keep the nematode population to a check. You can keep your soil healthy by regularly adding compost, manures and mulch.

Solarization is also a very good way to reduce nematode and various weeds.

Having said that; not all nematodes present in the soil are bad for plants. There are several beneficial nematodes are present in the soil which helps in checking other pest problems for the plant. Nematodes can rarely move a long distances. In most of cases diseases spread by human interference. So the more hygiene you maintain in your garden lesser the chances of spreading.

Like the article? Share it with your friends using the following buttons:

For a successful gardening nematode control is very essential. Now what is a nematode? A nematode refers to small microscopic, small round worms. They live in the soil and can cause a great damage to the roots of the plants. They interrupt plants normal process of taking water and other nutrients through the roots by burrowing into them. As a result various knobs are formed in the roots of the plant.

The most common of all the nematodes is root knot nematode (as it causes knots to the roots of many vegetables). Root knot nematodes affect a vast range of plants including Potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, roses etc.

  

The nematode infection is more common in sandy soil. Check out more on soil classification here. The nematodes cause shunted and low or no yielding plants.

How to battle this problem? As they say prevention is better than cure. There is hardly anything you can do to treat the infected plants. The best methods are preventive in nature.

There can be several ways you can fight this problem

Experts suggest that crop rotation is the best way to combat. Once you have used a place to grow vegetables in the next step use non-susceptible plant like grass in that area. Without the host the nematodes will starve and the population will reduce. Other than grass you can also use some resistant varieties of the vegetables to reduce nematode population.

If you are purchasing transplant, go for the nematode free variety only.

After harvesting crops, till the soil, and expose the roots in the sun. The effect of direct sunlight is fatal to the nematodes.

Planting marigold plants as companion along with other vegetables can help reducing nematode population. They release some chemical from their roots which are toxic to the nematodes.

A healthy soil itself acts as a buffer to nematode problems. In a healthy soil, nematodes as well as their parasites (various microorganisms) are present. So this will keep the nematode population to a check. You can keep your soil healthy by regularly adding compost, manures and mulch.

Solarization is also a very good way to reduce nematode and various weeds.

Having said that; not all nematodes present in the soil are bad for plants. There are several beneficial nematodes are present in the soil which helps in checking other pest problems for the plant. Nematodes can rarely move a long distances. In most of cases diseases spread by human interference. So the more hygiene you maintain in your garden lesser the chances of spreading.

Like the article? Share it with your friends using the following buttons: