Garden Tips

Grow bag raised Bed

Did you know that you can use products in your home medicine cabinet to help your plants ?  One such product is called Hydrogen Peroxide. You must use a 3% solution as noted on the bottle and then dilute ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide with a gallon of water.

The hydrogen peroxide has an extra molecule of oxygen h202 that is very beneficial to your plants root system. This solution can help clear up the condition called root rot where your plants get water logged from over watering and die. It also is a great fungicide that will help with most fungus leaf problems.

The application is simple just mix ½ cup with a gallon of water and apply to the soil around your plants. This will help your plant to have more oxygen in the soil and able it to take up more nutrients found in the soil.

Friends, I invite you to visit us online at https://www.groworganicvegetablegardening.com and learn more helpful tips like this one and find out how you can grow healthy organic fruits and vegetables for your family. “ Join our Garden Community membership program with like minded gardeners and ask your garden questions to the Organic Vegetable Gardener.” 

The Vegetable Gardener,

Curtis Clark

USDA ORGANIC

What is all the fuss about Organic anyway ?  In order for a product to be classified as Organic it has to be certified by the Federal Government  National Organic Program certified agent.

Generally speaking Organic certification requires that farmers and handlers document their processes and get inspected every year. Organic on-site inspections account for every component of the operation, including, but not limited to, seed sources, soil conditions, crop health, weed and pest management, water systems, inputs, contamination and commingling risks and prevention, and record-keeping. Tracing organic products from start to finish is part of the USDA organic promise.

The official Government organic label is marked USDA in green with a brown circle arount the outside. You will see this certified label on all organic seeds that we give our customers as members of our Garden Community at https://www.groworanicvegetablegardening.com


Visit us and join the conversations today and learn more about organic gardening 

The Organic Vegetable Gardener,
Curtis

Bare Root Planting

Hello there,  If you buy plants online you might come across plants that will ship to you called bare root. This means that the roots are not potted in soil they are dormant and  soil free and you will have to plant in your own soil. It's simply easier to ship plants that are dormant (not actively growing) than live potted plants.
You should plant your bare root plants as soon as possible. Soak the roots in water for 30 minutes before planting and keep moist in the new pot or in ground. Bare root trees will start to put on leaves after a few months. If you plant in early spring you will start to see growth in summer.
Should you fertilize bare root trees when first plant ? the answer is no-- too much nitrogen may cause the root tips to break.
The roots of your newly planted tree will grow out laterally  twice as much the first year , but supplying nitrogen rich fertilizer will only cause your tree roots to grow back around itself instead of growing out  the way it should.

Visit us at https://groworganicvegetablegardening.com to learn more about growing your plants organically.

Fertilizing Your Plants

Grow Organic Food

Hello Gardeners,
This is the Grow Organic Vegetable Gardener . I want to talk about Organic fertilizers in your daily gardening. In my previous posts I have talked about NPK ("nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium," These are the basic nutrients needed by your plants to grow and thrive.

Nitrogen gives and supports the green leaves of your plants, Phosphorus is for growth and blooming and fruit set. Potassium is for overall health of your plant along with other essential minerals.  I personally use a balanced all around powder Fertilizer made by Down to Earth with NPK numbers of 4-6-2 which means 4% nitrogen, 6 % phosphorus and 2% potassium.

Organic fertilizers are adding vital nutrients back into the soil of your plants that are used up on consistent basis. During the growing season it is best to fertilize every two to three weeks for maximum growth and flowering.

Learn More about Organic Gardening at https://www.groworganicvegetablegardening.com

Seedling Growth

Seedlings Growth

Hello Friends,
You will need to watch and care for your young seedling as they are growing under your grow light. You should be checking the growth and moisture level of the plants. You just need enough water in the seedling trays to moisten the soil. If you over water, or let your plants sit in water your young seedling will bend over and die!
This is called root rot, caused by an excessive amount of water which tends to smother the root ball so that not enough air is available for could aeration of the soil.
As your plants are growing they will start to grow leaves and the stem will start to thicken . Once you have about 4 to 6 true leaves on you plants they will soon need to be transplanted out of the seedling trays and into a pot of your choice. I personally use what are called air pots. These pots are made out of fabric and as your roots spread and hit the inside wall of the pot they start to send out more lateral roots . This is called air pruning.
One key thing to remember is pick a pot size that is right for the size of your plant. Too large of a size will retain too much water and can cause your plants roots to suffer. You can always transplant to a larger pot as your plant grows.

Organic Vegetable Gardener
https://www.groworganicvegetablegardening.com

Spring Garden

Hello All, This is the Organic Vegetable Gardener. I have been away for a little while working on new projects for my business. I am however back and eager to get to growing organic vegetables and plants again.
This is 2020 a new year for starting fresh and growing wonderful new plants this Spring. The growing season for me starts in March which is when Spring begins around the 20^th of the month. This is the time that the Sun is hotter near the Equator. This is good news for us gardeners! The sun brings warmth and growth to our plants.
I usually start out with planting organic seeds (seeds that have no GMO-Genetically Modified qualities). As you know I am the Organic Gardener and do not believe in using any harmful chemicals in my garden.
Organic gardening is the process of only using those additives or fertilizers that nurture the soil and put back needed nutrients so that our plants can thrive and grow healthy.
I start my seeds with having seed starting trays with 24 to 36 growing cells where I add a seed starting mix which has the proper nutrients to get your plants off to a good start. I simply take a pencil and poke a small hole in the soil which has previously been added and smooth down in the seed trays. I then drop one single seed in the hole and cover it up. I think that the hole depth should be approximately ½ inch down in the soil.
I then use my T5 Grow light with a 24 W fluorescent bulb to supply the proper amount of light that simulates the suns rays. I recommend to have a minimum of 10 hours of light shining on your newly planted plants. I also suggest using a heating mat which fits under the seedling tray and warms the soil from 10 to 20 degrees above the existing soil temperature which help the seeds to germinate better.

Gardening How To: Transplanting Your Potted Plants

Organic Gardening

Hello everyone, a lot of people are not sure as to why they should transplant their potted plants. The reason is that as time goes by perhaps 6 months to a year your plant reaches it maximum growth. Your plant is a living thriving being and needs constant food and minerals to keep growing and producing fruit or flowers as the case may be. As your plant reaches maturity inside it pot the roots use up all of the space available to expand and grow. This causes your plant basically stop growing and producing more and more leaves, flowers, and fruit. If transplanting does not take place your plant will not be able to take up vital nutrients and water because of the compact state their in. This is the reason for transplanting you plants.

The first gardening how to step in transplanting your potted plants is to find the garden planter or pot that you desire. The key here is to select a pot that either has pre- drilled holes or a plain pot where you can drill your own holes with a knife or electric drill. You may prefer to add small pebbles such as river rock at the bottom so that the soil does not compact over your holes, and you get the necessary drainage of water out. Garden pots come in all colors and sizes under the rainbow. You should select a new pot based on you old plants roots.

The second step to do is to remove your plant root ball from the existing pot by using a knife and running it along the outside diameter of the soil ball in the pot. Once this is complete apply a gentle tap on the bottom to your pot to loosen up the root ball even further. Gently lift out the plant from the pot and examine the compacted roots. You must free up this existing root ball by gently pulling and separating the roots all along the bottom of your plant so that you can see free roots dangling from the bottom of your plant.

The third step is to get your newly selected pot with the new drainage hole and fill it with new
organic potting soil about half way in the pot. You don't have to compact it down. It will settle on it's own.Take your existing plant and place it in the new pot and make sure it is properly centered it the transplanting pot. Cover the exposed root ball with the remainder of your potting soil up to the crown or stem of your plant. You can now pat down the soil a bit. Your plant is now ready for a cool drink of water! Pour enough water in the pot so that you see it drain down through the drain holes on the bottom . This indicates that your plant is okay and ready to grow and thrive until it out grows it's new home.

Organic Vegetable Gardening

Organic Gardening

Hi there, Welcome to Grow Organic Vegetable Gardening. I hope to help you with all of your garden questions and issues. A Lot of people ask what is Organic gardening? To me the term organic refers to natural  gardening in quality rich soil without using harmful chemicals in the soil or on your plants. I have learn that the start of organic gardening begins with the soil.

Let me paint a picture for you. In nature-- the forest there are many trees and leaves. These trees grow over time and then a lot of the old leaves die and fall to the forest floor where they eventually mix with the soil and various microorganisms break down these leaves into the soil. This break down along with animal waste produces the best rich soil available . My friends this is Organic soil at its finest. We Organic gardeners attempt to duplicate nature by trying to create the best soil we can.

Winter Kale and Lettuce

Hello Everyone, it will soon be Spring. This is the time when leaves start sprouting on bare trees and the time changes to let more daylight in preparation for Summer. You should be making decisions on what to plant in your Spring garden. I love this time of year; I can't wait to look through my garden seed magazines and decide what I will plant .

I always start my plants from seed. It's both economical and satisfying to plant a seed and nurture it all the way up to a mature plant. I have wrote and article on how to start any of your favorite plants from seed. You can read the article here: Garden tips.

This past Winter I have been experimenting with growing Kale and lettuce using a T-5 growing light and Agribon cold weather cover. This cover protects crops and nursery stock in freezes down to 24°F. This winter has had some cold  night time temperatures that if your plants are not covered they would be damaged by frost.

I set the growing light on a stand on my patio with the cold weather Agribon cover draped over that . I used standard growing trays and seed starting mix. I would like to mention that you can buy seed starting kits that self water your seedlings by filling up the water tray underneath and by a wicking action your plants take up as much water as they need. I have found that you must be careful not to over water your seedlings to much. 

This will cause a condition called (Damping off ) where your seedlings will start to wilt and bend over at the stem. I have good success by using a regular seed starting tray with your choice of seed starting mix  and watering sparingly. One key thing to remember is to have a grow light set on a timer  to turn on everyday at a specific time. Young seedlings need up to 14 hours of daylight every day! I also use a seed heating mat which warms the soil 10 to 20 degrees above room temperature.

Once your seedlings start poking through the soil they need sunlight right away in order to grow strong and straight. You then need to ad some fertilizer when you start to see the first true leaves on your plants.

The results of my Winter lettuce experiment is great! If you want to grow lettuces and Kale all winter you can. All you need is a dry space, a grow light and heating mat. All of these items can be purchased on my website under the heading Burpee growing supplies. 

Check out my pictures Below of Kale and lettuce growing under my grow lights:
On the left is Kale and on the right is Mesculan a french lettuce mix-you will also notice the timer used to light the seedlings daily.

Gardening for Beginners: Garden tip # 5

Hi friends, this tip is to help you avoid those pesky caterpillars that eat holes in your garden lettuces such as Kale, Collards, and Cabbage. I personally planted mixed greens called (Mesculan) and Kale which I started from seed.

I had a healthy crop of greens which were started this spring. I recently noticed that a lot of my lettuce leaves had holes all over them. I also saw small green caterpillars called cabbage worms. These caterpillars come from moths and butterflies who lay their eggs on the leaves. The eggs hatch quickly and start feeding.

The best way to keep these critters out of your yard is to use floating row covers which will prevent egg laying on your lettuce leaves. These covers are light weight and let air through. There are different weights which let 60 to 95 % of sunlight through. Please click here click here to find all your gardening needs.

Garden Tips # 4 Grow Organic Vegetable Gardening

 Garden maintenance is very important to helping your plants thrive. You need to check your plants every day! There are enemies all around us in the form of insects, and weather. Go ahead and stick your finger in the soil and check for moisture. Check your leaves for signs of decay or insects chewing on your plant. Old dead leaves should always be removed so as to not cause bacterial fungus growth.

Gardening tips #3

Garden Harvest

The best thing about gardening is planting seeds and watching them grow. You need to feed the soil, and the soil will supply all of your plants nutritional needs. An example is you may notice yellowing leaves and want to know why ? The answer is your plant may be lacking all of the nitrogen in needs which is the first letter in the old NPK fertilizing chart. Visit our website to learn more!

Garden tips # 2 Gardening for the beginner

Raspberry Plant

 

 

 

 

Berry plants such as raspberry, blackberry and boysenberry produce new canes every season. Once fruit is produced on a singular vine or cane it will not bear fruit on the same vine any more. The old canes on these plants should be cut backed in the fall-winter season. This is so new canes will grow the following season.

Gardening tip # 1 Gardening for the beginner

Spring weather  Temperatures can go from cold and rainy to hot and dry in California. I protect my plants by being aware of weekly temperature changes. I also purchased Agribon Row covers. They are available in different weights depending on your need.

These covers can protect your plants if the temperature dips down below 40 degrees F all of a sudden. This is usually called a frost spell. They work great to keep your plants warmer than the outside temperatures. They allow various amounts of light thru the fabric 30 % to 70 %.

Grow Organic Vegetable Gardening

Hello Gardeners, It's spring 2016 time to start growing your vegetables for the up coming spring-summer season. In my garden i am growing a lettuce mixture and kale. I started my plants from seed which is economical and fun !!
You can check my past articles that describe the equipment and lighting needed. I use regular organic potting soil in which I add organic materials such as powdered fertilizer, earthworm casings, and chicken manure.

The idea is to feed the soil so that live organisms can feed your plants roots. They then can uptake all the nutrients avalilable . Please check out my blog articles on fertilizing and NPK soil balance. Healthy soil  nurtures healthy plants which tend to grow better, taste better, and store much better.

Vegetable Gardening:Garden Tips- Composting # 2

Decomposing Hot Compost Pile

Friends, Fertilizers are very important to feeding your plants. They add missing nutrients in the form of NPK ( Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium : read more at garden tips: part one fertilizers

Compost adds organic matter to your soil and improves the drainage capacity in tight soils. Air penetration is increased so that beneficial microbes can flourish . Your kitchen has lots of great items to add to your compost pile. Herbs, grains, cereal boxes, vegetables, coffee grounds, tea bags are just a few of the many items that will supply the green ingredients for your compost pile.

You can speed up the decomposition of your compost by covering it with black plastic. Heat will build up and increase the composting process. Do not forget to add a little moisture between the layering of brown and green materials as mentioned in part one of this series.

Vegetable Gardening:Garden Tips- Composting # 1

Black Gold Compost

Hi there, Do you Compost ? Well you should. Compost is broken down organic materials of the soil by microorganisms that give the sweet smelling rich, light, dark soil that feeds your soil. Have you heard the term (Black Gold) ? ]
Compost consists of two type of materials brown and green. The brown carbon rich matter are things such as dead leaves, straw, sawdust, paper and hay. Green nitrogen rich materials include grass clippings, manure, coffee grounds, and fruit and vegetable peels. You want to aim for a balance of brown and green material.

To Make a hot compost pile you can start with a area 3 ft. by 3ft. so that you are able to stick a pitch fork or shovel in and turn your pile over. Start layering the pile with the browns and green materials.( ie  one layer of brown material then on top of that another layer of green and the brown and so on.....) You want to add moisture between layers.

You will want to turn your compost pile every 3 days. You should also purchase a compost thermometer to check the temperature. It should start around 120 degrees and go up from there. If you stay up with your pile turning and adding more materials you will have rich compost in approximately 2-8 weeks !

Gardening for the beginner: Fall Planting 2

Burlap Bag Potatoes

Friends, Did you know that Burlap bags make great growing containers for root plants, like potatoes, carrots, and beets. Fill the bag with soil, tie it closed, and place it in a sunny spot.  Next , cut holes in the bag and plant the crops. Make sure to water it often. To harvest, just cut the bag open

Gardening for the Beginner: Fall Plantings 1

Hello, did you can grow vegetables after spring--Summer schedule. You can grow hardy vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, kale, beets, spinach and peas. All of these vegetables can be ( overwintered ) which means planted in summer or fall and harvested in spring.

Pick your Cabbage !

Organic Vegetable Gardening: Fall Cover Crops

Hello Friends, Do you know the benefits of growing a fall cover crop. If you have a area in your yard where you are not going to grow a Fall crop like potatoes, greens, or garlic. You can plant different types of cover crops in the category of Lequmes. These are plants like peas, beans, clovers, afalfa, and even peanuts.

These cover crops are low cost, easy to maintain and earth friendly. They increase organic matter and available nitrogen and increases earthworms and beneficial microorganisms. Cover crops also provide habitat, nectar and pollen for beneficial insects.