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7 Tips For Growing
Organic Food
I
visit the local farmers market on weekends to get the freshest
fruits and vegetables that I can find. As I browse the stands I
wonder how much time and effort goes into producing those delicious
foods. As everyday consumers, we can grow some of our own food
without all the labor of the average farmer. Here are a few tips to
help anyone grow their own food organically.
1. Seeds grow in the soil. Who said that that soil had to be on the
ground? Growing fruits and vegetables in containers is a good way to
get a sampling of several different plants. Container gardeners can
use fertilizer free potting soil as the medium to grow their food.
2. Use natural insect repellants. Mint leaves have been shown to
repel ants. Crushing the leaves releases the offensive mint oils.
There are pesticides that derive from flowers that can be used to
kill some insects. Even sprays made from soaps can kill them.
Substances like eucalyptus and camphor possess such vapors that can
be used as natural repellants without harmful side effects to the
food.
3. Instead of buying that big bag of fertilizer at the store, create
your own compost pile. Banana peels can be used as a type of
fertilizer due to the potassium they contain. Plants that require an
alkaline soil medium can grow with an ammonia and water liquid
fertilizer added to the soil.
4. If you are preparing the soil in your yard for organic gardening,
determine the type of soil that you have. There are three
categories: clay, loam, and sand. Loam is the best, because it holds
water, but is easily manageable when you have to till the soil.
5. Choose plants that are perfect for growing in your zone.
Depending on where you live, certain foods may have a harder time
thriving than others. Seed catalogues list under each offering a
list of the zones that are favorable for that particular plant.
6. Collect rain water. You will need to use your hose from time to
time, but collecting rain water in barrels will help to lower your
water bill. The barrels can be stored in a shed to reduce the rate
of evaporation of the water. Visit your local feed and seed store to
buy rain collecting devices.
7. Weeds and grass will grow even though youve prepared the soil.
Weeds and grass compete with your plants and steal the water and
nutrients from the soil. The crops must be kept weed and grass free
to survive.
Organic gardening can be fun and rewarding. Your crops will be
fresher and tastier without all of the chemicals. Your body will
thank you for it.

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Organic Living
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