“Garden Organic, the UK’s leading organic growing charity, has been at the forefront of the organic horticulture movement for 50 years and is dedicated to researching and promoting organic gardening, farming and food.”
Keyword: Organic gardening
Garden Tip #203
Ever wonder what you can do to combat global warming? The Union of Concerned Scientists has produced a guide called “The Climate-Friendly Gardener: A Guide to Combating Global Warming from the Ground Up.” The gardening choices we make can maximize carbon storage and minimize pollution. This publication discusses fertilizers, cover crops, food gardens, composting, lawn maintenance, and more. You can also sign a pledge to be a climate-friendly gardener!
Garden Tip #29
Powdery mildew season has begun (May), so act now to prevent or slow the development of this disfiguring (though not usually lethal) disease. Research published in Crop Protection demonstrated good results for preventing and managing mildew by spraying once a week with a 20%-40% solution of non-fat milk diluted in water. The down side to this organic remedy is the white residue left behind by the milk, which resembles the mildew we’re trying to cure in the first place! Other less-toxic sprays that are new to the market are:
- Eco E-Rase (also sold as Detur), a jojoba oil spray that smothers mildew spores;
- Citrall Organic Lawn and Garden Fungicide derived from Backhousia citriodora (Lemon Myrtle), native to Australia;
- Rose Defense made with Neem oil, which is not so new, but is still unfamiliar to many gardeners.
Go online to Colorado State University for a fact sheet on powdery mildew.
Garden Tip #31
Many plants outgrow aphid infestations with no harm done. But sometimes aphids do cause permanent damage to tender shoot of young plants. If action must be taken, soft-bodied aphids can be killed by common non-toxic ingredients found at home. Here is a recipe for a spray from The Frugal Gardener by Catriona Erler (Rodale, $27.95):
- 1 garlic bulb
- 1 small onion
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder
- 1 quart water
- 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap
liquefy garlic and onion in a blender, then add cayenne and water. Steep for an hour. Strain the liquid through cheesecloth, then add soap. Spray directly on aphids, or on plants vulnerable to aphids, like roses. Keep away from eyes and skin. This spray may be kept refrigerated for one week.
Garden Tip #186
The Rodale family of Emmaus, Pennsylvania has a 60 year history of publishing books and magazines that promote organic gardening and their encyclopedias have come to be regarded as the standards on the subject. A good example is the Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening (DK Publishing, 2002 $40.00). A must-have for serious organic gardeners certainly, but the user-friendly qualities that are a trademark of DK will make it one of the first books in a beginning gardener’s library as well.
Natural Insect, Weed & Disease Control
A Salt Spring Island, British Columbia entomologist, Linda Gilkeson is enthralled with the work of beneficial insects in the garden, especially in combating pests. This manual is based on her experience and is very specific to our region. She clearly gives her opinion on what works, and what doesn’t. While the focus is on insects, weeds and diseases get their turn, too. Most of the information is available from other sources, but like many hands-on work, there’s much valuable empirical knowledge. One suggestion caught my eye: planting alyssum amongst gladiolus to attract pirate bugs, who in turn will eliminate the thrips that devastate the glads. It’s worth a try!
Excerpted from the Fall 2007 Arboretum Bulletin.
The Maritime Northwest Garden Guide: Planting Calendar for Year-Round Organic Gardening
Wondering what’s the best time of year to sow your cilantro seeds or plant onion sets? The Maritime Northwest Garden Guide: Planting Calendar for Year-Round Organic Gardening by Seattle Tilth (and multiple authors over the years)defines a complete time-line for sowing a wide range of edibles and flowers. Also included are a number of excellent articles on organic gardening techniques, like summer cover crops and recipes for preventing powdery mildew. Buy online.