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6 Natural Gardening Steps

7/31/2018

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 Natural Gardening = "Organic Gardening” based on using whole ingredients of natural origin- bat guano & other manures, cottonseed meal, kelp and, bone meal, etc. It utilizes the processes of using slow release fertilizers, beneficial microbes, practical planting and beneficial insects / low toxicity pesticides.
                Healthy Soil = Healthy Plants      Right Plant - Right Place
How does Organic Gardening differ from Conventional Gardening?  Organic gardening feeds the soil. Traditional relies solely on chemicals.  Traditional gardening uses chemical fertilizers produced with inorganic salts and recycled industrial waste products.  This approach deadens the soil, killing the beneficial microbes (Mycorrhizae). The plants are then dependent upon receiving the fertilizers as it sole means of capturing nutrients. Mycorrhizae are beneficial fungus that lives on the roots helping the plant break down nutrients in a symbiotic relationship.  90% of terrestrial plants use mycorrhizae- exceptions aquatic plants, epiphytes and orchids. Below are the 6 steps to a Natural Garden! 
1.        Healthy Soil = Healthy Plants
Fertilizer 101     “NPK” The 3 main macro-nutrient sources     Nitrogen – Phosphorus – Potassium
Nitrogen – The most used nutrient, stimulates vegetative growth. Involved with protein metabolism, chlorophyll production and genetic material regulation. Nitrogen is made my soil microbes and added from sources like manures.  Deficiency: yellow leaves, stunted new growth.
Phosphorus- Important for flower, seed, root and fruit growth.  Essential for membrane formation, genetic material and energy exchange. Works best in soil PH 6-7. Deficiency: Red/purple leaves, stunted growth, burned tips on new growth. Excess restricts Zinc, Manganese & Iron
Potassium- Improves plants overall vigor and disease resistance. Encourages root growth and fruit quality.  Used for many cellular processes and regulates absorption of Calcium, Sodium and Nitrogen.  Helps promote strong roots to grow into compacted soils. Deficiency: marginal chlorosis starting from bottom leaves progressing upwards. Excess blocks Magnesium and Boron absorption.
Other Micronutrients- Boron, Calcium, Chlorine, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Magnesium, Sulfur, Zinc
NPK number should add up to about 15-20 to be considered “organic”.  The larger the numbers, the faster it is released into the soil while lower numbers stays in the soil longer.
Mulching Helps plants by choking out weeds, retain moisture and provides winter protection for plant roots. Avoid using plastic underneath mulch-instead use a breathable weed barrier material.  Best mulch- compost, cocoa shells or other organic leafy material/hay.  Bark robs the soil of nutrients.
Composting Make your own or buy commercially bagged or in bulk.  Takes a long time to make your own.  Try a “worm bin”. Use a container to house earthworms, feed kitchen scraps and use the castings. 
Watering Proper watering is crucial!  Longer deeper drinks make longer stronger root systems.  Container plants need more water especially during hot, sunny weather.
 
2.  Right Plant = Right Place    Plant Types, Zones, Plant Tags
Read Plant tags and research before planting. Hardy Plants- can survive our winters. Tender or Tropical Plants- needs winter protection or treat as an annual. Annual=One Season; Perennial=more than 2 seasons 
 
3.  Create Balanced Ecosystem
Companion Planting   Has intrigued humans for thousands of years. The idea that plants assist each other to grow well, help repel insects, and are a benefit to each other.
  • Mixed plantings vs monoculture give better insect and weed control.
  • Many types of groups of companions. Best to look up what grows better with what.
Example: Corn, pole beans and squash.  Corn provides stake for pole beans, bean add nitrogen to the soil and support the corn.  The squash under planted helps shade out weeds, deter predators and the corn helps to shade the squash. Another is to plant Acid Lovers with others that like same soil- Azaleas, Heather, Wintergreen, Ferns, Dogwoods, Pieris, etc.
4. Attract Beneficials-Repel Pests
Beneficial Insects Use “hardy” insects for your area.  Be cautious of chemical sprays that can harm your beneficial’s.  Release them according to the directions.
  • Lady Bugs- cute and most popular.  They eat soft body insects and mites.
  • Green Lacewings- pretty bug. Eats soft bodied insects and mites.  More reliable than lady bugs.
  • Nematodes- soil scavengers eat bad nematodes and larvae
5.  Accept Minor Damage
Help, My Plant is Sick! What to do when you are having problems…..Determine if is: 
1.Environmental- lack of water, mulch, compost or chemical burn, wrong plant wrong place, PH/soil problems.
2.Nutrient Deficiency- stunted growth, leaf chlorosis, poor flower/fruit production
3.Pests / Disease- pests on plants, chewed or holes in leaves, mold/mildew/spots on leaves.
4.Diagnosis Problem- take a sample to a local nursery, extension service, experienced Horticulturist to help with diagnosis of the problem.
5.Treat Condition- Use appropriate treatment, follow direction, wear protection.
6.Use Pesticides Sparingly- Use least toxic method first, use stronger only if needed.

6.  Think Twice Before Applying
Pesticides 101  Always use the least toxic remedy first. Then try more extreme methods. Use “Caution” marked products vs “Danger” or “Warning”. Use proper protective safety gear.  Avoid spraying on windy days.  Avoid all bodies of water (fish and pond life sensitive to chemicals).   Read the directions before applying!
  • Use homemade remedies, Right Plant Right Place Rule, Companion Planting & Beneficial Insects
  • Many Pesticides-according to numerous studies- can cause many negative health issues, birth defects, cancer, nervous system issues & toxicity overload to name a few. 
If you have any questions and need help with your garden stop in and ask us! We have a great selection of G&B Fertilizers and Soils to help keep your garden growing lush, green & organic!

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Year Round Garden

7/24/2018

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Year-Round Garden Benefits / Goals Enjoy your garden year – round through:
  1. Visual Appeal- Year-Round Blooms; Foliage Color & Texture, Seasonal Color, Containers
  2. Utilization- Diversity of Plantings, Benefits Environment & Wildlife. Maximize Land Use.
  3. Production- Growing Veggies, Fruits & Herbs. Organic 101. Planting Schedule.
How to Achieve:
  • Decide which are the most important to you and your family
  • Start Collecting Seeds, Plant Starts (trade), Cruise Plant Sales
  • Make a list / journal of a time table, budget if needed. See Schedule at end as example.
  • Work with the Seasons, not against them. Avoid Extremes- Hot vs Cold
  
Part One= Visual Appeal
  • Practice Basic Design Principles- Plant in Odds, Unless Symmetrical, Heights-low to high
  • Design to Your Personal Style. Complement and Contrast- do not Clash
  • Year- Round Blooms – Schedule – See Below
  • Evergreen Plants- Broad Leaved, Conifers, Evergreen Perennials & Grasses
  • Seasonal Color- Fall, Plants with Berries / Winter Interest
 
Blooms Throughout the Seasons (approximate times, weather permitting):
Winter & Spring Blooming Bulbs (Feb-April)- Crocus, Daffodils, Hyacinths, Iris, Snowdrops, Tulips. 
Cool Season Annuals (Sept-May)- Calendula, Pansies & Violets (johnnie jump-ups), Primroses, Snapdragons
Spring Blooming Shrubs & Trees- Flowering Ornamental: Cherries, Plums & Crabapples, Dogwoods, Lilacs, Weigela, Azaleas & Rhododendrons, Mountain Laurel, Pieris
Summer Blooming Bulbs (some hardy, some annual)- Crocosmia, Dahlia (tender), Elephant Ears (A), Freesia (A), Iris, Peony
Summer Blooming Shrubs- Butterfly Bush, Clethra, Crape Myrtle, Hydrangeas, Roses
Warm Season Annuals (May-October+)- Fuchsia (some are perennial), Geraniums, Impatiens, Petunias, Marigolds, Verbena (some are perennial), Zinnia
Fall Annuals and Colorful Perennials- Add into pots, borders & beds- Pansies & Violas; Mums & Asters; Cabbage & Kale and Fall Color Vines (Purple Grape, Silver Lace Vine, Virginia Creeper) & Shrubs (Dogwood, Spirea & Blueberries), Evergreen Perennials (Heuchera, Tiarella & Hellebores), Broad Leaf (Euonymus, Azaleas & Lonicera) & Conifers.
Late fall -Winter-Early Spring- Blooming Shrubs- Camellias, Current, Daphne (winter), Forsythia, Quince, Sweet Box, Viburnum (some), Witch Hazel
Plants with Berries- Beauty Berry, Blueberries & Evergreen Huckleberries, Cotoneaster, Holly, Juniper, Mondo Grass, Nandina, St. John’s wort, Viburnum (some), Wintergreen
  
Part Two =  Utilization 
  • Diversity of Plantings- combination of all plant groups- Trees, Shrubs, Annuals & Perennials. Work together as an ecosystem to avoid erosion & runoff (water, fertilizer).
  • Maximize Land Use. Replacing some ornamentals with useful plants. Many ornamentals may be beneficial to pollinators.
Benefits Environment & Wildlife. Backyard Wildlife Habitat. https://www.nwf.org/en/Garden-for-Wildlife/Create 
  • Wildlife need our help. Human activity has changed and eliminated habitat, locally, and on the global scale, and birds, butterflies, and other wildlife are pushed into ever-shrinking wilderness areas. Providing a sustainable habitat for wildlife begins with your plants. That’s why we call it a wildlife habitat “garden.” When you plant the native plant species that wildlife depend on, you create habitat and begin to restore your local environment. Adding water sources, nesting boxes, and other habitat features enhances the habitat value of your garden to wildlife. By choosing natural gardening practices, you make your yard a safe place for wildlife.
Creating a wildlife garden reverses some of the human-caused habitat destruction that is hurting wildlife. It’s easier than you might think. Here is what your wildlife garden should include:
Food: Native plants provide nectar, seeds, nuts, fruits, berries, foliage, pollen, and insects eaten by an exciting variety of wildlife. Feeders can supplement natural food sources.
Water: All animals need water to survive and some need it for bathing or breeding as well.
Cover: Wildlife need places to find shelter from bad weather and places to hide from predators or stalk prey.
Places to Raise Young: Wildlife need resources to reproduce and keep their species going. Some species have totally different habitat needs in their juvenile phase than they do as adults.
Sustainable Practices: How you manage your garden can have an effect on the health of the soil, air, water, and habitat for native wildlife as well as the human community.
 
 Part Three = Production:
  • Food- Fruits & Veggies- Fruit Trees- Apples, Pears, Asian Pears, Cherries, Plums, Apricots, Nectarines & Peaches- May need a Pollinator (two trees or a combo)  & Berries- Cane: Raspberries, Blackberries, Marionberry. Shrub: Gooseberry & Blueberry Cool Season Veggies vs. Warm Seasoned Veggies
  • Organic 101- Organic fertilizers- NPK, Soil Amendments & Plant Care, Right plant = Right Place. Apply Mulch like compost or other organic soil amendments 1-3” deep. This helps protect your plants roots from winter damage. Place a thick layer of newspaper or cardboard prior to mulch to choke out weeds.
  • Start a Veggie Garden- Spring & Fall!   Cool Season Veggies-there are a bunch- Broccoli, Kohlrabi, Brussels & Cauliflower; Cabbage & Kale; Lettuce, Chard & Spinach; Onions & Leeks; Peas, Radish, Rutabaga, Turnips & Carrots. Warm Season Veggies- Tomatoes, Peppers, Potatoes, Asparagus & Garlic (usually planted in spring), Eggplant, Melons, Squashes, Cucumbers, Beans & Green Beans
 
Planting Schedule:
January & February: Plant Cool Season Annuals & Veggie Seeds inside. Plant hardy trees, shrubs, perennials, vines and grasses- weather permitting. Plant Bare root fruits and berries.
March & April: Plant Warm Cool Annual Starts & Veggie Starts outside, weather permitting. Plant hardy trees, shrubs, perennials, vines and grasses.  Plant Warm Season Annuals & Veggie Seeds inside (Feb-April) read directions for plant timing to put outdoors.
May: Plant Warm Season Annual Starts, Veggie Starts and Hanging Baskets outside, weather permitting. Plant hardy trees, shrubs, perennials, vines and grasses. Plant Summer Blooming Bulbs (April – June) see directions on package.
June: Put houseplants outside in the shade on porch or other protected areas for summer-repot and fertilize as needed. Direct Sow Seeds (late May-early June)
July & August: Plant Warm Season Annual Starts- replace dead or tired plants from baskets. Start Fall Blooming Annuals & Cool Season Veggies- in pots or direct sow into ground/beds.
September: Plan Your Fall & Late Winter Tasks. Plant Fall Crops Starts, Fall pots & Hardy Plants. Bring indoors houseplants & tropicals. Lawn Care- Aerate, Thatch (if needed), Sod/Seed, Fertilize. Plant Spring Blooming Bulbs(Aug- Oct). Direct Sow Root Veggies Seeds.
October: Plant Fall Crop Starts, Hardy Plants- Hellebores & Heucheras. Rake Leaves, clean plants. Mulch.
November: Irrigation winterized (or in October). Cover spigots. Plants should all be winterized.
December: Decorate for holidays. Feed the birds.
 
 Resources & Links:
G&B Fertilizers & Soils www.kellogggarden.com/products/gborganics/organic-soils/
Monrovia  http://www.monrovia.com/
Terra Nova  http://www.terranovanurseries.com/gardeners/
Blooming Nursery http://www.bloomingnursery.com/
http://www.sunset.com/garden/landscaping-design/fall-foliage#autumn-glow-garden
https://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/gardening-techniques/winter-gardening-tips-best-crops-zm0z13onzsto
http://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/blog/2014/2/10/fall-and-winter-gardening
https://www.fix.com/blog/winter-gardening-guide/
https://www.humeseeds.com/falwint.htm
https://www.tandlnursery.com/
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    Kerri Bailey

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