Organic Composting is a process in making fertilizers using natural ingredients only. It gives amazing benefits especially to gardening. You do not need to be a farmer or have a green thumb in order to receive the benefits of it. It provides soil with nutrients and acts as a moisture stabilizer. It is generally used for commercial fertilizers because it is cheap and easy to make. Organic compost reduces soil’s density thus improving its structure. It improves water retention ability giving it more moisture thus helping us save water and money. It allows plant roots to go through more deeply causing the plants or trees to be sturdier. Organic compost is ready to use if it is already dark brown or black in color. The first process in organic composting is piling of waste. Worms and fungi helps by turning wastes into smaller pieces. Organic composter may be used for an easier composting.

There are numerous ways in which organic composting helps in gardening. Aside from soil nutrition, it improves retention capabilities of soil. It also helps to restrain and control microorganisms in soil preventing the plant from some diseases. Organic compost is also a good substitute for chemical fertilizers reducing the use of chemicals to plants. It is already a good source of nutrients needed for the proper growth of any plants. It gives healthier environment also needed for plants nourishing.

Anyone can make organic composting at home with just waste material and organic composter. Even with a small space, we can contribute to a greener environment and a greener plant. This can help us prevent pollution as well by preventing the used of methane and production of leach ate.  It also avoids soil erosion and loss of grass on the hillsides, road sides and even playing sides. Organic compost helps avoid drought and other soil problems helping plants, gardens and lawns as well.

In essence, organic composting not just helps the plants but the environment and the people as well giving us a more clean and safe natural environment that will carry on for the next generations. It is never too late for organic composting.

What did you put on your family’s dining table during the Thanksgiving Celebration? Well, obviously, lots of delicious and wonderful dishes which, of course, should include the traditional turkey. However, how safe are the foods that you prepared for your family? How sure are you that it is not loaded with too much preservatives which have been found to be toxic in our body? I am referring to those so called toxic GMO foods.

What is GMO? It is defined in Wikipedia as:

A genetically modified organism (GMO) or genetically engineered organism (GEO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. These techniques, generally known as recombinant DNA technology, use DNA molecules from different sources, which are combined into one molecule to create a new set of genes. This DNA is then transferred into an organism, giving it modified or novel genes. Transgenic organisms, a subset of GMOs, are organisms which have inserted DNA that originated in a different species. GMOs are the constituents of genetically modified foods.

Where can we possibly find these GMO foods? It could be on the soy and other seasoning products that you are using as flavoring for your meat. Perhaps you will find them on gravy that you have bought from the market. You can also find it on the pre-made crust or fillings for your dessert. And obviously, you can find it on cranberry relishes that contain corn syrup, salad dressings with canola, corn or soy oil and a number of added preservatives or flavor enhancers, canned soups, margarine and soft drinks.

So, how can we get rid of those toxic GMO food products? The answer is fairly simple. Go for organic food products. Better yet, prepare food from scratch, and avoid those instant preservative-loaded garnishes or any flavor- enhancers on your menu. If you didn’t do it last Thanksgiving, you may want to consider having a GMO-free Holiday Feast this year.

Life in the city means an increased cost of living standard. One who used to live in rural areas might find it difficult to adjust their way of living in the urban world. Also, food supplies in the city is very  different from the rural areas. You don’t get to plant edible plants anymore considering that vacant lot spaces are limited in the city. But that doesn’t bother Indira Naido, whose initiative is worth emulating. She becomes an inspiration for others who aspires to become an urban farmer just like her.

Her famous Edible Balcony book became an instant hit, and that is why there is an increased number of Urban Farmers in the city where she resides. Her inspiration reaches far. The concept is very simple. Planting and growing seeds at the comfort of your home is the main thing. This is very ideal for those who love vegetables and fruits. Of course, only those plants that has seeds are feasible in a limited space. Those who are living in an apartment were even convinced to try the idea. Naido’s aim in writing the book is to teach others how to grow food on their balcony, literally. Thinking about it, all your hard work will really pay off once you are ready reap the fruit of your labor. Such idea was not only innovative but very practical too. Cooking and using fresh ingredients are not only a very healthy idea but it will also help you to save lot of bucks since you won’t need to buy it at the store.

Others might be skeptical of the idea, but after reading the article about Naido’s project, I was really inspired to consider that I also appreciate fresher food than those that are sold in the store which are preserved and manufactured. It only takes will, patience and determination to realize the project. One can start immediately and become an urban Farmer too.

There are many of us that love to garden. Growing things to eat, as well as to look at, can be a very therapeutic experience. However, for those that have a bad back, gardening can be an excruciatingly painful or outright impossible activity. So naturally, any alternative that helps them keep gardening would be a plus, and elevated garden beds have provided just such an alternative.

An Elevated Garden Bed is an effective way to combat the physical toll of bending over and sitting on your knees in order to work on your garden. Many of them will sit as high as three feet off the ground. For most people, this will hit about waist high. You cannot underestimate how much easier on a back this is. You are not going to need knee pads, and your back won’t hurt nearly as bad. This is good not only for the planting phase, but also for the harvesting phase.

If you choose to go the route of an elevated garden bed, think about getting one that is made out of cedar. Cedar has a natural barrier against rot, and insects hate the smell of it. This helps keep the raised bed from excessive weathering and insect infestation. Furthermore, those people that are interested in going organic with their garden will find no greater material to use for their garden bed than cedar. It really is the best way to go.

Finally, take the time to shop around for the best price. There are lots of online and brick and mortar outlets that sell this type of garden structure, and it is definitely a good idea to see who has the best price. Don’t just buy from the first place you see that sells them. Once you have the elevated garden bed, be sure to enjoy this ergonomic garden structure.

A garden filled with Roses, Chrysanthemums and Zinnias is a beautiful sight. The gentle breeze that carries the sweet smell of those flowers will lift your spirits for sure. But lurking among those sweet flowers and the beauty of the garden are some hazards if one is not careful.  Some simple tips on Garden Safety will ensure that you can continue to enjoy those lilies and tulips for a long time to come.

Tools: Gardening requires some tools like the trowel, pruning scissors and shears. They have to be handled very carefully so that you are not injured while using them. If you are new to gardening, talk with somebody who has some experience to guide you on how to use those tools. Be aware that not all tools come with instructions so learn how to use them first. Once you have finished work for the day, the tools should be cleaned and kept in a safe place like a shed or a box and locked away in the corner of the garden so that an inquisitive toddler can’t get to them.

Manure & Pesticides: While your plants in the garden require them, the chemicals in the manures and the pesticides are harmful to humans when inhaled. Take sufficient precaution by covering your mouth and always use gloves when you handle these types of materials.  Keeping safe any leftover material under lock and key is a must.

Lay Out:  When planning a garden or adding a plant to the garden, keep the thorny plants to a secluded area within the garden. By doing this it just protects you from thorns while working in other parts of the garden.

Allergy: Some are allergic to pollens from flowers or the saps of certain plants. If somebody in your family is prone to this, restrain them, particularly kids, from entering the garden.

Watch your Health: Gardening is a very good hobby but before venturing out take your doctor’s advice about straining your back. Avoid lifting large flower pots by bending which may be harmful to your back. Similarly avoid long hours of work and get plenty of fluids, especially if it is hot.

With some care you can make your garden safer and continue to enjoy the sight of those beautiful flowers.

Now that the balance of summer is almost over in most of the country, it can be sad to see the last of the warm weather crops awaiting the killing frost. But, you don’t have to stop enjoying the pleasures of eating fresh vegetables from the garden! Planting a fall garden extends the growing season by a couple of months, and even more so if your garden is in a cold frame. As the tomatoes, peppers and squash plants stop producing, remove them from the garden, add them to the compost pile and use the space for planting a fall garden.

Take note that the position of the sun in the sky changes as the seasons progress, so pick a spot in the garden that will continue to get maximum sunshine. You may consider expanding an existing garden or starting a new one that is positioned to get the most late fall sunshine. This is also a wonderful time to build a cold frame for the garden. Even in northern climates, greens grow almost all winter long in a cold frame.

Think back to early spring and the cold-hardy vegetables that you planted then. Most were probably pulled out to make room for warm weather crops, but all of these can be replanted in a fall garden. Fresh leafy greens from spinach to lettuce resist the cool nights of autumn and provide the delicious fixing for late fall salads. Snow peas get their name because they are capable of handling very chilly temperatures. They add delightful variety to stir fry dishes and salads. Cabbage also grows well in cool weather, along with kale and chard. Other crops that tolerate the chilly nights are carrots, radishes, beets and onions.

Fall is also the appropriate time to plant vegetables for next year. Garlic is best when planted in the fall. Some fruit trees, vines and berries can also be planted in the fall for harvesting next summer.

The importance of good garden design cannot be overstated. A good design will maximize the enjoyment and use you get out of your garden. Good design can also minimize all sorts of garden problems. For example, careful selection and positioning of plants can make a small garden seem much larger. A shrub lined pathway can draw the eye away from unsightly features and towards a pretty focal point in the garden such as beautiful statue or plant. Still, perhaps most importantly, good garden design will enable the whole family to get the best use of whatever outdoor space you have available.

Not surprisingly then, the first step in designing your garden is to decide exactly what you want to use it for. Often a garden will have many different functions -you may need a place for the children to play safely, but also want an area to relax or entertain your guests in. You may even want somewhere to grow fruits, vegetables or flowers. Whatever your wish list contains, it is important to identify these at the very beginning and ensure that your final garden design incorporates them all.

The challenge then is in trying to ensure that all the different areas and functions of your garden blend together as one seamless whole. Otherwise, you can end up with a patchwork of unconnected spaces which simply do not work together visually. This is where good garden design comes into its own. Having an overall style or theme for your garden is one of the ways you can link all of its separate spaces together. This is where you can have some fun and allow your creative side to come to the fore! From tropical paradise to country whimsy, you can have whatever your heart desires…within the limits set by the local climate of course.

Traveling is one of the best and most fun activities in life; especially during the holiday seasons, including the extended summer months for those in school. However, there is a real issue when all the family members are gone and the house is empty for a few days or weeks. This means it is imperative to make your home look lived in and your yard maintained during any period of time your entire family is gone. You don’t want to make it easy for a thief to find your home.

This will include the lawn being taken care of and cut while you are away. One of the first things burglars look for are yards that are over grown. If those yards also have newspapers left about in the yard it is another clue that “no one is home”. One of the best ways to make sure his doesn’t happen is to hire a local teen to pick up any papers or distributed materials out of the yard, mailbox or left on your doors. Placing outdoor lighting on a timer switch will also let a thief know that there might be someone home after all! Since you don’t have an alarm system on the outside of your home, lighting is a great way to deter anyone that’s thinking of robbing you BEFORE they even try.

You still will need to stop the mail and have the post office hold it until you return as well as stop any deliveries that come to your home. This could include FedEx or UPS, newspapers, newsletters or any type of specialty services like diaper services, dairy, etc. if you are able to get those in your neighborhood.

Last but not least, notify your local police or sheriff’s department and let them know the days the house will not be occupied. They will send a patrol car by to check on the place while you are away.

The world is facing a serious problem with global warming. This has paved the way for us to think of alternative energy sources and reduce the emission of Green House Gases to the atmosphere. We are aware of the scarce natural resources that we use in generating electricity. We should not use all the resources only for our consumption. We should think of our descendants and leave some amount of resources for their consumption. Life should be sustained upon this earth. There are various sources of sustainable energy: solar energy, wind energy, tidal power, bio-energy and hydro-electricity. We have to use the latest technologies available to meet our needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. There are both renewable and non-renewable sources of energy and the majority of the world’s thought has been to develop renewable sources.

All the world’s leaders have urged the nations across the world to emphasize renewable sources of energy. This way, we can have a Green Earth and have a good ecological balance to maintain the process of life. The United Nations has come out with a system of so-called “Carbon Credits” to encourage the countries to go for renewable sources of energy. This proved successful in the last 3 years of ‘Carbon Credit’ trading strategy. A special day, “Earth day”, on April 22 has been able to create awareness among the masses to contribute their fair share for a Greener Earth. Earth Summit is also going to take place in Rio De Janeiro in 2012 to assess the present global situation. Both the developing and developed countries should go side by side towards the goal of sustainable energy. If every individual is successful in providing their contribution towards a Green Earth, then there is no doubt that sustainable energy can be a real thing rather than a dream.

Growing herbs is the easiest kind of gardening. Millions attempt herb gardens and yet it fails. The reason for this isn’t that some have greener thumbs than others, but the root of success is based in the knowledge of how to grow herbs.

An herb garden is a compliment to any home or kitchen. Growing herbs can also be an indoor or outdoor activity. Thus it is possible to grow herbs in pots or directly in the soil. It is perhaps the most cost effective gardening you can do as well. With a little capital layout, creativity, work and patience, growing herbs can be an achievable gardening goal.

What will you need?

First, choose the herbs to grow for your garden. There are many different types of herbs ranging from sorrel, basil, thyme to parsley and so forth. The best option for beginners is to buy an herb seed mix for planting. The alternative is to visit your local nursery for small herb plants.

Where to plant?

If you have a plot of land near the kitchen, it would probably be best to plant your herb garden there. However, if you do not have that kind of space you have other options. Using a (flower) box, pots or a creative alternative like a raised bed would also be great for growing herbs. Herbs need space to grow, but they truly are very forgiving about where you place them as long as they get what they need.

The growing of most herbs is seasonal so they should be planted when appropriate e.g. at the beginning of spring in semi shade. Follow the instructions on the packet of seeds or ask your local nursery for advice when purchasing plants. Growing herbs in an apartment means using the window sills or landing to maximize sunlight and perhaps the roof to create a small herb garden.

Try to keep the growing of herbs organic. The joy of growing herbs is being able to use them in your food. Growing herbs, if done right, can be environmentally friendly, calming and rewarding.