Organic gardening is as much a philosophy as it is a gardening method. Check out this article to learn about the basic tenets of organic gardening.
Organic gardening is as much a philosophy as it is a gardening method. Check out this article to learn about the basic tenets of organic gardening.
View Organic Gardening RSS feedOrganic gardening is as much a philosophy as it is a gardening method. Check out this article to learn about the basic tenets of organic gardening.
At its most basic level, organic gardening is the practice of growing plants without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. Actually, though, it's much more than that. At its core, organic gardening is about working with and understanding nature. It's about recognizing that our gardens are part of a wider ecosystem, and that what we do in our yards has an impact on the environment. Here are some of the basic tenets of organic gardening.
Organic gardeners recognize that plant growth and resistance to diseases, drought and pests depends on soil quality. The biggest area of focus for most organic gardeners is improving their gardens' soil. Getting the soil tested, amending it according to the results of the soil test, making and adding compost, and mulching all contribute to having healthy soil.
Whether it is fertilization, insect or disease control, or getting rid of weeds, organic gardeners do not use chemical sprays, powders or granules. In fact, organic gardeners often try a variety of control methods for common problems, starting with the gentlest method first, and only using stronger treatments when gentler ones don't work. Fertilizing is done via natural products such as manure, fish emulsion, bone meal, blood meal, seaweed extract and compost tea.
Organic gardeners strive to conserve water through a variety of smart gardening methods, including purchasing drought-resistant plants, mulching to prevent moisture loss, paying attention to how much and how often they water and purchasing plants that will do well in their climates.
One of the biggest differences between organic gardeners and traditional gardeners is that organic gardeners accept, and even encourage, imperfection in their gardens. They understand that the lawn may have a few weeds, the roses may have a few black spots, and slugs may eat a few hosta leaves. They choose to live with these small imperfections rather than looking to eradicate them because they understand that biodiversity is important, and that, in a diverse ecosystem, even the 'pests' have a place.
Organic gardening doesn't have to be a lot of work. In fact, it's no more work than dragging out the fertilizer spreader or hose-end sprayer, and it's a lot less harmful to the environment. In addition to being healthier for the Earth, it's also healthier for gardeners. Study after study has shown that exposure to chemical herbicides and pesticides is dangerous to humans.
It's simple, it's safe, and it's rewarding. Those are three very good reasons to try gardening organically.
Falling prices are eroding the value of U.S. homes. According to a new Fed report, the equity that Americans have in their homes has dropped to the lowest level on record.
A survey commissioned by a national federation of state and local apartment associations shows that most renters will not be jumping into the U.S. housing market anytime soon. Has renting become the smart decision?
Some politicians are in favor of providing assistance to the millions of homeowners who are facing default as a result of poor decision-making and falling home prices. Others are dead set against it. Let's see where the American people stand.
Small banks and big ones alike are on the verge of bankruptcy, due to all of the bad loans that have been approved over the past few years. Although people tend to assume that their money will be safe even if their banks fail, history has shown that this isn't always the case. Find out if your hard-earned cash is at risk.
When it comes to home prices, location matters. Consider this: a $210,000 home in Atlanta, GA would be worth $1.4 million in Beverly Hills. The same home would be worth $509,000 in Washington D.C. and $207,000 in Phoenix. Find out how much homes might be worth in different cities in this home price comparison.
An open letter to all of the lawmakers and taxpayers who think a mortgage bailout is what we need to solve the housing crisis.
A national survey found that Stamford, Connecticut has most expensive rents among other U.S. cities. Residents need a household wage of $31.58 to afford fair market rent on a two-bedroom rental unit. Find out which other metro areas and states have high housing costs.
To get borrowers to leave a house--and leave it in good condition--mortgage lenders around the nation have begun offering cash for keys. Some lenders are paying out upwards of $3,000.
Republicans and Democrats are working on a new measure inappropriately named ''The Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008''. This legislation is being billed as help for homeowners, but homebuilders and the mortgage industry are the true beneficiaries.