Weed and Insect Control through the Use of Companion Plants

The development of most vegetable plants is slowed down considerably by the occurrence of weeds. To reduce the weed situation for susceptible plants, you can grow different plants for the duration of the prior season so as to dissuade weed development in the soil in the present season. Two such type of plants are kale and rape. Another example is the Tagetes minuta, Mexican marigold. It has been noted that in many cases it has killed couch grass, wild morning glory, ground ivy, ground elder, horsetail, and other chronic weeds that defy nearly all poisons.

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Companion Planting: A Love Hate Relationship

Like people in relationships, specific crops love and hate each other, based on the specific natures involved. Seedlings of transplanting size begin to interact more and more together with the plants near them. These associations come to be especially necessary as adult plants cultivate explicit  personalities, essences, and aromas. Green beans and strawberries, for instance, thrive better when they are grown in combination than when they are grown independently. To get really wonderful-tasting Bibb lettuce, one spinach plant should be grown for everyfour Bibb lettuce plants.

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Why is compost special?

Building and maintaining a compost pile is the surest, easiest way to become a better gardener. Not only will you be producing the best possible food for your garden, but by watching leaves, eggshells, orange rinds, and grass clippings become transformed into rich compost filled with earthworms and other soil creatures, you'll be learning what healthy soil is all about.

Compost is a rich and crumbly blend of partially decomposed organic material that does wonderful things for your garden.

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Restore Basic Life-Supporting Systems

The breakdown of our food growing systems poses one of the biggest threats to our survival.  Our existence depends upon our agricultural systems, but what do our agricultural systems depend on?  The answer: water, air and soil.  These basic elements support all life-forms and without them, life as we know it cannot be sustained.

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Planting Tomatoes In Your Garden

• Written by Kathy Anderson

Tomatoes are without a doubt one of the most popular vegetables in the home garden, and for good reason. Homegrown tomatoes are very nutritious and much more flavorful than those bought from a store. Tomato plants will produce an abundance of fruit for the home gardener if they are properly planted and cared for.

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Prune and Trelis Your Tomato Plants

• Written by Kathy Anderson

For many home gardeners, the tomato crop is often a source of pride. Gardeners often compete to see who can grow the earliest ripe fruit, the biggest or most flavorful tomato. The desire for perfect tomatoes sends many gardeners to their local garden centers in search of the latest potions or products that promise to help them achieve their goals.

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Organic Gardening and Permaculture

When we think of organic gardening and permaculture we tend to conjure up images of leathery-skinned bearded warriors who dedicate their lives to working long days in their vegetable plots.  Whilst this may be a wonderful way to live your life, it doesn’t suit the average suburbanite with a full-time job and a hefty mortgage.

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Laying Out and Planting Vegetable Gardens

As you start planting vegetable gardens it’s important to know how the garden will be laid out. The layout of your own garden will depend on what vegetable you want to grow, the planting space and if you would like to opt for companion planting. Here are some helpful tips on how to layout your own garden and start planting vegetables.

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Long-term Plans for Planting Vegetable Gardens

A lot of people are beginning to see the benefits of planting vegetable gardens. It's usually healthier because you get to decide whether or not to use commercial pesticide on them. Since vegetable gardens are typically manageable in size because they're not grown for profit, it's easier for people to manage the plot without having to resort to using commercial pesticides.

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Let’s Plant Potatoes in the Garden

• Written by Kathy Anderson

Potatoes, taters, spuds…call them what you will, potatoes are a staple in the diet of many people all over the planet. Potatoes are a nutritious, versatile vegetable, and they’re incredibly easy to grow. But before you run out to the garden with your shovel and hoe, there are a few things you should know about planting potatoes.

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Composting

• Written by Jonathan White, Environmental Scientist

For many people, composting is just an alternative way of dealing with rubbish.  It prevents the garbage bin from getting full and smelly.  It’s also a way of disposing of grass clippings and leaves, which saves many trips to the garbage depot. Whilst these things are valid, they are not giving compost the full credibility it deserves.  Compost can be very valuable when used in the right way.

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Controlling Insects Organically

• Written by Kathy Anderson

Most gardeners are anxious to get out into their gardens as soon as the weather warms up and the first green sprout appears. Unfortunately, plant-eating insects are just as anxious as we are to get into the garden. They seem to think that our beautiful shrubs and tasty vegetables were planted for their benefit!

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