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Recently my friends have been asking me for a good place to buy organic and heirloom seeds and plants. I thought this was a great topic, so here are my favorite 7 suppliers.

Johnny Seeds Offers a wide selection of seeds and plants. They have heirloom, organic, fruit, herbs and vegetables for your garden. They have OMRI-approved pest and disease controls and fertilizers. This is one of the larger seed suppliers in the world, and they are employee owned.

Miller Nurseries -J.E. Miller, Dept 4102, 5060 West Lake Road, Canadaigua, NY, 14424- They have dozens of strawberries, raspberries, fruit, and shade trees. Over 60 varieties of apples, many old-fashioned “heirloom” apples. Winter hardy blueberries. 39 varieties of grapes, including wine making varieties. They have a wide variety of unique fruits such as Pawpaw, Persimmon, Kiwi, Honeyberry, Asian Pears, Cranberries and more.

Bountiful GardensBountiful Gardens sells untreated open-pollinated seed of heirloom quality for vegetables, herbs, flowers, grains, green manures, compost and carbon crops. Offering Bio-intensive and Grow Biointensive sustainable organic seed. Specialties: Rare and unusual varieties. Medicinal herbs. Super-nutrition varieties. You may be interested to know that Bountiful Gardens is a non-profit organization and a project of Ecology Action which does garden research and publishes many books, information sheets, and research papers, some in other languages. Ecology Action operates a research mini-farm in Willits, CA and promotes the GROW BIOINTENSIVE method of food production which teaches people in 130 countries around the world to grow food and build soil with less work, water, and energy by natural methods. Find out more at www.growbiointensive.org

Fedco Fedco Seeds, is an excellent source for cold-hardy seeds and plants especially adapted to the demanding Northeast climate. Each year they observe hundreds of varieties, selecting only the best for inclusion in their catalogs. Through their product lines and cultural hints, they encourage sustainable growing methods. They offer a large selection of certified organic cultivars and regional heirloom varieties. We buy products from all over the world. Fedco is a cooperative, one of the few seed companies so organized in the United States. Because they do not have an individual owner or beneficiary, profit is not their primary goal. Consumers own 60% of the cooperative and worker members 40%. Consumer and worker members share proportionately in the cooperative’s profits through their annual patronage dividends.

A Few Good Seeds Vegetable seeds,Fruit plants or seeds. Specialties: Heirloom Vegetables. All of their plants and seeds are grown without any chemical inputs. Their goal is to test and adapt vegetables for our regional climate and growing conditions.

Territorial Seed Company Currently they find themselves in good company “capital-O Organics”, excited about taking leadership in advising the evolution of organic agriculture from a movement into a mainstream market. There are 20 full-time and 25 seasonal employees locally, strategic alliances with universities and European plant breeders, and a zillion worms making compost and plant teas. They are experts in Organic and Biodynamic seeds and plants.

Willhite Seed They have over 400 varieties of seeds including watermelon, cataloupe, cucumber, bean, corn, okra, peas, squash etc. They have a wide selection of of unusual Indian seed.

Organic Garden Pest Control
By David Karlson

Organic garden pest control is the safest and the easiest way to hold good control over a lot of creepy creatures that you assume as a part of your daily diet. The best thing about Organic garden pest control is that it does not interfere with the natural arrangement of your garden.

Most people think that practicing organic gardening will help them to gain good control over pest. No, this is not so. It is equally important to focus on pest control.

These days a lot of farmers are aware of the harmful effects of chemical sprays on their plants. Hence, they are shifting towards Organic garden pest control. Here, they require protecting their garden plants via minimizing the use of chemical methods.

Here is what you need to know about controlling pests without any chemical use. Any organic garden pest control mixture will include the following and work in the way mentioned below:

Smell: Strong odors of fish, garlic, rhubarb, tobacco many strong odoured substances are utilized generously to keep pests away.

Soap: Most of the organic pest control sprays are made with detergents and vegetable based natural soaps. These sprays tend to stick on the plants. Most insects have a strong dislike towards these soaps and can be harmed by them.

Heat: Pests can also be burnt with chilly, salt, methylated spirits or kerosene fumes. This is one of the best ways to kill pests.

Gases or odor molecules: Most plants tend to release natural odors or consist of volatile oils. Some of the bugs may find thee repulsive. If you want to prepare your own organic pest control mixture, here is an easy recipe.

Ingredients required Amount

• Garlic bulbs Three
• Small hot chili peppers Six large or 12 small
• Vegetable oil One tablespoon
• Liquid detergent One desert spoon
• Water Seven cups

Preparation Method:

Put all the ingredients into a blender and blend well. Now pour the mixture into muslin cloth and strain. You may also use a coffee filter for the same.

Now pour the mixture into a spray bottle so as to use. You can keep the rest in jars and close it tightly with a lid label the mixture well.

The mixture needs to be sprayed within short intervals. It would be best to spray within a few days until you see some sign of pests. This mixture will efficiently repel a lot of pets coming into your garden including gophers, rabbits, woodchucks and pests such as ants, caterpillars, grubs, aphids, bugs and any small creepy creature that tends to disturb your garden environment.

Some tips on spraying organic pest control sprays:

1. Do not spray on plants during hot weather. This may burn the leaves
2. Use of natural soap is better than detergent based soaps to keep the plants unaffected.
3. You may use just a dash of detergent in order to provide some stickiness.

We have done a lot of research on Organic gardening. Organic garden pest control is a serious concern amongst gardeners. Visit our site today for more information.

http://www.thegardeningorganic.com/
By M. Applebaum

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Karlson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Organic-Garden-Pest-Control&id=1712935

Raised Beds – 5 Reasons Why They’re Great For Successful Organic Gardening!
By Winnie Abramson

If you are starting a new organic garden, you should definitely consider planting in raised beds instead of directly in the ground. Here are the top 5 reasons why.

1. Fewer weeds will grow and you’ll have fewer problems with pests.

2. You’ll have greater control over your soil- you can fill your beds with high quality organic soil and mix in lots of compost and other amendments.

3. The drainage will be better- flowers and vegetables prefer not to sit in water, as can happen with those grown in-ground.

4. Your soil will be warmer- raised beds have higher soil temperatures earlier in the season, allowing you to get started with your planting sooner.

5. Raised bed gardening is easier on your body- when the plants are higher up, there will be less strain on your back. Raised beds should be rectangular. A good width is 4 feet as it allows you to reach across from both sides (you don’t want to walk in your raised bed as this compacts the soil, a definite no-no as it damages root systems and decreases valuable aeration).You can make your beds as high as you like- a higher level is desirable for less mobile individuals (those in a wheelchair, for example). If you are building more than one raised bed, make sure to leave a pathway wide enough for a wheelbarrow to travel in between your beds.

You can build your own raised beds, and there are many materials that work well for this purpose. Wood such as redwood or cedar is a common and attractive choice, but choose a rot-resistant variety, if possible (avoid pressure-treated wood as it contains potentially harmful chemicals). You can paint or stain the wood you use, but make sure you choose an environmentally-friendly brand of paint/stain that won’t contaminate the healthy organic food you are growing.

Other options are concrete blocks, stones, bamboo, and recycled plastic. You can build your raised beds using instructions found on gardening sites on the internet, or purchase a kit that allow you to quickly and easily build your raised bed.ou can also make a raised bed without using any material to enclose it, but the shape won’t hold as well, and it may be subject to erosion. A good option if you prefer not to enclose your bed is to make a raised bed using the lasagna gardening method- this means you lay down cardboard or newspaper over your desired area and then basically pile all sorts of organic matter on top (see Lasagna Gardening by Patricia Lanza for more information). For best results, you should make your lasagna bed 18-24 inches high.

Building a raised bed requires some effort, but once it’s done and your plants go in, you’ll be richly rewarded by how how well they grow.

Winnie Abramson, ND is a naturopathic doctor. She is the founder of http://www.healthy-green-lifestyle.com, a website that helps readers improve their health and decrease their environmental impact with holistic nutrition and green living tips, healthy recipes, organic gardening advice and photos, and links to eco-friendly companies. She also puts out a free monthly newsletter called “Healthy and Green”: you can sign up here!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Winnie_Abramson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Raised–Beds—5-Reasons-Why-Theyre-Great-For-Successful-Organic-Gardening!&id=1715938

Gardener, What of Your Compost Heap?
By Trevor Dalley

To the making of composts there is no end.

Where it is possible to make compost, this is the best material of all for the gardener to use. All kinds of green material and garden waste can be incorporated in the heap including annual weeds. Grass Mowings, Hedge Trimmings, Pea, Tomato and Bean haulm, old flower stems and so on.

If a proportion of manure can be obtained, this also should be included in the heap, though it is not absolutely essential. Poultry manure, if included, should not exceed 20 per cent in bulk and should be applied in layers not more than an inch thick. A thick layer of poultry manure will prevent air from circulating and retard the break-down of the heap. It is often possible to obtain industrial or semi-industrial organic waste (waste from eating establishments and hotels) that, if incorporated in reasonable proportions, can be of great value.

Seaweed is probably the most valuable of all, and other materials which I have used include water-weed from rivers and canals, decayed sawdust from the old sawmills and waste coffee, cocoa residues from various industrial processes, also we have used hemp not the type that some people smoke, (if you tried to smoke this type you would have to roll a joint the size of a telegraph pole to get any sort of buzz) we only use the type for making rope.

Fresh fallen leaves have a delaying effect on the break-down of the heap and it is better, therefore, to allow them to rot by themselves for a year or two and then to incorporate them in the compost heap.
I find that the Garden Compost Heap should not exceed four feet square and about three feet high, but they can be made of any desired size.

If the Compost Heap is made to wide or to high, there will be a lack of air and the majority of the necessary bacteria will not multiply. The Garden Compost Heap should be built on soil rather than on a concrete base or on gravel. If it is built on grassland, it is better to dig out the top 4 inches of the grass. In any case, there should be a loose layer of hard, woody material to assist aeration.

Baled Straw is the best material to use for the walls; it provides a neat, convenient method of making the heap and enables the compost to decompose fully right up to the walls and assists the retention of the heat of decomposition. After the bales have been used two or three times and have started to disintegrate, the Straw Bale can itself be incorporated in the next heap. Many Garden Compost Heaps, however, are made without any retaining walls at all.

Quicker results and more even decomposition will be obtained if the raw materials are mixed and shredded before being put on to the heap and there are several shredding machines on the market which are very efficient. Where no shredder is available, dry materials should be mixed with fresh green matter in alternate layers. Straw Bales of any description should be thoroughly wetted. The layers should not exceed 6 inches in thickness and should be a good deal less in the case of Grass Mowings and any other material that will form a mass which the air cannot penetrate.

A light sprinkling of topsoil or good de-composted compost should be added at every twelve inches of height to introduce bacteria into the heap. A sprinkling of lime dust in the form of crushed chalk at a rate of one ounce to every two square yards may also be added along with the topsoil.

Layers of Well Rotted Farmyard Manure in the Garden Compost Heap will act as an activator, but whether there is Manure in the heap or not, I always use an activator usually herbal based as I find this speeds up decomposition.
The final covering of the Garden Compost Heap can either be an inch or two of topsoil or a rough thatch of straw, slopped to carry off the rain. In large Garden Compost Heaps, vertical air holes are necessary. They should be spaced at 3 feet intervals down the centre of the Garden Compost Heap.

If the heap seems to be drying out, the outside should be wetted. Try to wet evenly and avoid saturation. There may be a certain amount of leaching from the bottom of the Garden Compost Heap if no retaining wall is used. In such a case it is well to spread a thin layer of sawdust, peat or other absorbent organic matter round the base of the Garden Compost Heap. This material can be incorporated into the next Garden Compost Heap that is made and will add to the value of the finished compost.

The process of decomposition will be greatly accelerated by turning the Garden Compost Heap once every 3 to 4 weeks after building. If so desired the Garden Compost Heap can be treated again with an activator during the turning process but this is not essential. Garden Compost Heaps made chiefly of fresh green material will often break down quite successfully without any turning at all but where the material is very dry and made from straw one turn is practically essential.

It is most important that the high temperature at the centre of the Garden Compost Heap should be obtained, otherwise annual weed seeds may survive and be reintroduced all over the garden. It is advisable to purchase a soil thermometer and make sure that the Garden Compost Heap reaches a temperature of no less than 40 degrees Celsius. If the Garden Compost Heap does not heat up, the reason is probably that it has been built to slowly.

The remedy is to turn it and add fresh green material; also adding chicken dung pellets will help. There is no objection to incorporating diseased vegetable matter in the well-made Garden Compost Heap that heats up properly. In fact, there is considerable evidence to prove that such a Garden Compost Heap becomes a breeding-ground for bacteria that will fight the disease, and that the resulting Garden Compost Heap, when applied to the soil, will give resistance to, if not immunity from, the disease concerned.

This seems to be particularly true in the case of Tomatoes, and many gardeners insist that the compost that they use for their Tomato crops should contain as large a proportion as possible of old Tomato haulm.
Garden Compost-Making is an art that has to be acquired. It is, however, not a difficult art and any Gardener with a reasonable amount of common sense can quickly learn it.

It is also, quite frankly, something which we know more about now than lets say 100 years ago mainly because of the advancements in modern scientific research. What I do think is that some gardeners make much to heavy weather of Garden Compost-Making. It need not be anything like the laborious a job as many people think, providing the Garden Compost Heap is sited in the right place as to avoid unnecessary transport of materials.

Trevor Dalley has been growing and preserving his own fruit for 40 year, most of the preserves are sold in his Organic Farm Shops in Herefordshire England. Did you find those tips on Organic Food a way of Life useful?

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trevor_Dalley
http://EzineArticles.com/?Gardener,-What-of-Your-Compost-Heap?&id=1718320

8 Allotment and Gardening Tips
By James Middleton

The following allotment and gardening tips are in no particular order. They cover little things that I have discovered along the way that help save time, money, effort and heart-break on my allotment.

1. Utilising damp areas – Build a well

   If you have an area on your allotment garden that, after rain, takes a long time to dry out, why not try this…Take a plastic barrel. Drill holes in the sides of the (about 1 every 2 ins square). Dig a deep hole (3ft x 3ft and 4ft deep) and place the barrel in it. Fill the remaining gaps around the outside of the barrel with pea gravel. Cover barrel will paving slab. The well will drawn dampness from surrounding site.

2. Keeping the slugs aways

   Make a visit to your local coffee shop and ask for the spent coffee grounds. Many cafés such as Starbucks have bins full of the stuff, ready for your garden. Sprinkle the coffee grounds in a 1-3cm thick layer around the bases of a vulnerable plant. Both the scent of the coffee and the texture as it dries puts slugs and snails from crossing onto your plant. The grounds will also slightly raise the acid level in the soil and increase fertility.

3. Raise your soil levels

   Instead of planting and sowing your crops into large open beds, makes lots of smaller raised beds. Excavated paths and put surplus soil onto bed. Use wood, bricks or logs to shore in the raised soil. Although you loose a little more ground with walkways, because the beds are smaller (ie 3ft by 6ft, 8inch high) it is far easier to access all parts without treading on the well cultured soil. You can also get away with planting a lot of plant a little closer together than you would with a larger none- raised bed. Generally, raised beds offer greater productivity despite the loss of growing area.

4. Free compost

   To increase the quality of your soil, its a good idea to try to include as much organic materials as you can. Although making your own compost is an excellent way of utilising unwanted kitchen waste, it is a slow process and very little compost is produced. Contact your local council and ask them if they offer free ‘green waste’ delivery. Many will dump lorry loads of steaming, rich, dark composted organic matter on your allotment for free.

5. Keep your seeds fresh

   If you haven’t used all of the many packets of seeds that you bought for your allotment this year, it’s a good idea to put them in a box and store them in the fridge for next year. This should slow down the natural degradation of the seed, resulting in a better chance of high germination for next year.

6. Keep of the soil!

   Never walk on soil that you wish to grow your crops in. Doing so damages the natural structuring of the soil and compresses it, making it difficult to dig and weed. Good soil should be teaming with bacteria and worms. Trampling on it will reduce the diversity of life in it and in term, affect fertility levels. If you need to cross a patch, use a good plank of wood to distribute your body weight. The soil will compress slightly, but not enough to cause any real harm to your soil.

7. The keyhole composter method

   An excellent way to both increase soil quality and raise good strong growth is to build a keyhole. Out of chicken mesh, form a tube (1-2ft wide, 2-3ft high). Bank up soil around it until the soil reaches the top of the tube. Place bricks around the mound to keep the soil in. Put all of your orangic waste into the tube and plant your crops in the mound. As the organic material rots, liquids will leech out into the mound feeding your plants. As a by-product of this method, you also will be producing good, well drained compost. It is a good idea, when constructing the mound to leave a wedge out (like a slice out of a cake), to allow for easy access, causing the structure to look like a ‘keyhole’.

8. Natural insecticide and weed killer!

   Many of us grow rhubarb and are aware that the leaf part of the plant is very poisonous to humans. You can use the toxic qualities of this garden favourite to produce insecticide. Boil up the leaves in water, add some soap flakes, allow to cool and spray to kill most leaf eating insects. You can also use the fresh leaves to suppress and kill weeds. Cut and lay them on paths – the poisons will leech out and kill weeds, whilst starving them of light. More facts about rhubarb – http://www.rhubarbinfo.com/rhubarb-uses.html

Right! That will keep you going for the time being. Visit again for the next instalment.

James Middleton

http://www.theallotmentgarden.co.uk

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http://EzineArticles.com/?8-Allotment-and-Gardening-Tips&id=1720215

Herbal Compost Activators
By Henry Allpas

You may have heard about herbal compost activators or perhaps you have not. Either way, they help your compost pile rapidly produce compost for you to use in your garden. If you find that your compost is taking forever to mature you can add some of the following to give it a jolt.

1. Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is rich in calcium, potassium, nitrogen and phosphates. Its leaves are hairy and they break down quickly. This provides a nutrient influx for the inhabitants of your compost heap.
2. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) has the ability to attracts earthworms. Why? Who knows? But having earthworms in your compost pile helps your compost mature more quickly. After Earthworms eat the organic matter in your compost pile they leave their nutrient-rich castings which are great for your garden. The leaves of Valerian are also very nutrient rich.
3. Dandelions (Taraxacum sp) are rich in iron, copper and potash. All three of which are excellent for keeping your compost pile healthy. Not only that, but now you have a place to put those pesky dandelions when you pull them out of your lawn.
4. Yarrow (Achillea sp) has a big impact on your compost pile, even if you only add it in small amounts. It provides nitrates, phosphates, potash and copper.
5. Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) concentrates the potassium from the soil where it grows. When you add Tansy to your compost pile you are adding loads of potassium, which is great for your hard working worms and bacteria.

The great thing about herbal compost activators is that they are an all natural way of getting your compost pile steaming along at high efficiency. However, these plants cannot save your compost from everything. For example, if your compost pile is too cold then no matter how many herbal compost activators you add, it will not increase production until the temperature increases.

Composting is an art and there are lots of things you need to know to compost successfully, but once you have it it becomes a piece of cake. Learn more about composting, worm composting and the like on my website: http://www.bigsteamypile.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Henry_Allpas
http://EzineArticles.com/?Herbal-Compost-Activators&id=1722479

Container Gardening Essentials – Discover Nature’s 7 Most Nutritious and Power Packed Herbs
By Eric Samms

Scientists and nutritionists insist that we pack in as many raw and organic fruits and vegetables for maximum health and vitality. But the humble herb’s inner vigor is often overlooked. But not anymore, through the charms of organic container gardening, it’s time to not only add a melody of tastes, but a great source of essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients.

The Finalists Are:

1. Mints : There are a variety of mint leaves, the most common being spearmint, peppermint, apple mint, and ginger mint. Use mints in salads, dressings, in teas, with lamb, in summer drinks and sorbets, and also as a garnish.

It has been used for centuries in Asian cuisine and herbal treatments. It was considered so usefull that it was an accepted as a tax payment. Jesus even scolds the Pharisees in Luke (11:39) “you pay tithes of mint and rue…but have no care for justice and the love of God.” Not only does it taste great, but it freshens the breath, helps settle the stomach and aids digestion, and has been found to slow the growth of some fungi and bacteria.

2. Basil : A clean and distinctive flavor, it especially works great with fresh tomato and cooked tomato based dishes, such as those from Italy. It can be added to soups, salads, breads, and pasta and forms the key ingredient in pesto.

Research studies on basil have shown unique health-protecting effects in two basic areas: basil’s flavonoids and volatile oils. Flavonoids are chemicals components – and Basil’s have been found to protect cells from radiation and oxygen damage. It’s oil has been found to have antibacterial properties, and it is a rich source of Vitamin A which helps prevent free-radical cell damage.

3. Parsley : A light and refreshing herb, with 2 main varieties curly and flat leaf. It is very versatile, and is wonderful added to just about any dish – soups, salads, breads.

It is also no modest herb – bursting in Vitamin C, an important component to disease prevention and great skin. Plus it is also a rich source of other nutrients such as Vitamin’s K and A, and Folic Acid, an important factor in good cardiovascular health.

4. Chives : They are delicate in flavor, and as such more suited to light dishes and salads, or as wonderful garnishes or decoration. If you have more than you need just store them in the freezer, and use as required.

Chives are from the allium family , and All alliums contain iron, and vitamins. Low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol, and Sodium , and High in Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Copper, Manganese, Thiamin, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Phosphorus and Zinc.

5. Thyme : This herb is one of my favorites. It has a warming and satisfying flavor, and works great with chicken, sprinkled on vegetables, and in light salads.

Derived from a Greek word meaning courage, thyme is said to be an invigorating herb, and is also renowned for it’s antiseptic and anti-fungal properties, and anti-spasmodic qualities – useful to soothe digestion and menstrual cramps and is an excellent source of iron and manganese, calcium and a food source of dietary fiber.

6. Dill : A light a refreshing herb which works wonderfully with salmon, in salads, and dressings.

Dill’s name comes from the old Norse word “dilla” which means “to lull” reflecting it’s traditional uses as both a stomach soother and an insomnia reliever. The total volatile oil portion of dill has been shown to have bacteria-regulating effects, much like garlic, and is good source of calcium.

7. Sage : A strong and meaty herb, it partners well with some chicken dishes, as well as onions and potatoes, and form many herbal teas.

Similar to rosemary and thyme, sage helps reduce depletion of the brain’s concentration of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is crucial to proper brain function. A combination of ginkgo biloba, sage, and rosemary may help prevent or slow the development of Alzheimer’s. More research is needed to find out why sage is so effective but researchers think it could be a combination of chemicals in the oil which have an effect on acetylecholine and which give it antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, also considered to be of value in Alzheimer’s therapy.

It helps promote digestion health, its antiseptic action is especially important in relation to intestinal infection and is said to reduce gripping pains by relaxing the intestines.
It is an excellent remedy for helping to remove mucous congestion in and numerous studies have confirmed that Sage leaf helps to reduce menopausal sweats, and helps reduce pain associated with menstruation.

Who ever would have thought that herbs could be such nutritious powerhouses? So before you reach for the salt, think ‘Fresh Nutritious Herbs’, and add these to your breads, pasta dishes, salads, soups, meat dishes, hot teas, and anything else you’d like to try! Organic container gardening is the tool to growing your personal, pesticide free herbs, plus it’s fun, fulfilling, a great way to save money, and it keeps you and the family bursting with health and vitality.

I’m Eric Samms and I’m here to share my passion for Container Gardening with you all. After years of starting, maintaining and developing my own Container Gardens for the last 11 years – it’s time to give away my secrets. Now it’s your turn to learn all about Container Gardening and it’s many amazing benefits in your life! Visit http://www.containergardeningexpert.com today for more great container gardening tips plus your two free gifts!

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Be Healthy Wealthy and Feel Great by Taking Up a New Hobby
By Hilary Bassakaropoulos

7 reasons why organic gardening makes you healthier, richer and happier

It’s a well known fact that getting closer to the earth relieves stress – when did you last spend a few hours in the garden? Even in wintertime you can put some warm clothes and spend an hour or so in your garden. It can be very invigorating.

Have you ever tasted organically grown vegetables and fruit and wished that you afford to have them more often? Have you smelt the difference as they were being cooked in your kitchen? The smell of a pot of vegetable soup made with organic vegetables is so inviting on a cold winter’s day.

When did you last have the pleasure of sharing something with your family that you know is good for their health? How pleased would your friends and relatives be to receive a gift which cost so little and tastes so good? Do you know someone who is ill or frail and would benefit by getting some wholesome fresh non-contaminated food into their system?

If you are a parent or a grandparent what better gift for your children or grandchildren than the gift of health. Children really do enjoy spending time in the garden and delight in growing their own carrot and peas and potatoes

Do you know that many farmers don’t relish eating their own products because they know what chemical sprays and fertilizers have been used on them? Eating more vegetables is known to help prevent heart problems,cholesterol,diabetes,colon cancer and other cancers.

What are you waiting for? It takes so little time and effort to grow your own fruit and vegetables. You don’t need to be an expert you can learn how to do it by reading a short book. Just start today and you will be healthier and wealthier in no time at all.

Hilary Bassakaropoulos

If you would like any further information email me at hilarybassak@gmail.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hilary_Bassakaropoulos
http://EzineArticles.com/?Be-Healthy-Wealthy-and-Feel-Great-by-Taking-Up-a-New-Hobby&id=1741547

Where to Get Quality Organic Vegetable Seeds
By David Karlson

It is very easy to grow as much as fresh organic veggies as you want in your backyard. All you require to do is to look for some Organic vegetable seeds and sow them.

Purchasing Organic vegetable seeds is a superb idea as you can get the best of vegetables at affordable prices and the best part is that these are free of harmful chemicals and pesticides. The cultivation of organic vegetables is done in a different pattern. The procedure looks for primitive type of agriculture. Here, it means that none of the chemicals, artificial fertilizers or pesticides will be brought in use.

The cultivation of organic vegetables and herbs is done known as Cascadian farm. The technology is known to provide some tastier, healthier and prettier vegetables. Growing vegetables is possible even in a container if you do not have a garden.

The key to grow organic vegetable in your garden is to get some best quality organic vegetable seeds. You need too find a place that provides you authentic seeds.

There are several places where you can purchase organic vegetable seeds. Here are some of the options.

a) Local Nursery: You can easily get some fabulous organic vegetable seeds near your home. All you require to do is to visit a local nursery and check out the kind of varieties and qualities available.
b) Garden stores: These are potential sourness of varied types of organic vegetable seeds. You need to visit this place to find out what your garden actually needs.
c) Local phone directory: You need to grab a copy of a local phone directory and call up some of the nurseries for the sects you want to order.
d) Home centers: Home centers that sell many home repair supplies consist of a special gardening section. You can easily get organic vegetable seeds from here.
e) Farm supply stores: These are found in abundance in rural areas. You can find some genuine quality organic vegetable sects here.
f) Seed catalogs: It is easier to order bulk organic vegetable seeds from seed catalogs. This will let you deriver the stuff straight to your doorstep.
g) Online seed stores: The World Wide Web is a superb source for several things. Purchasing from online companies is easy, as you do not have to step out of the convenience of your home. These stores are up for selling 24×7 and provided some fabulous discounts.

Here is a list of some of the organic seed companies you can cheek out:

a) Seeds of change
b) Snow seed organics (California)
c) Johnny’s seed company.

However, there are certain considerations you need to make when ordering organic vegetable seeds.

a) Always make sure the company is certified organic.
b) Look for documentation of supplier.
c) Ask for certifications number of the grower.
d) Ask for issue date of certification.

We have done a lot of research on Organic gardening. Organic vegetable seeds are important to a successful garden. Visit our site today for more information.

http://www.thegardeningorganic.com/
By D. Karlson

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Container Vegetable Gardening
By John Yazo

Container Vegetable Gardening is an ideal solution when you don’t have a yard to plant a garden and is also a way of gardening to add versatility to your yard.

Container gardening can be done to add accent or dimension to the landscape with the planting of vegetables or flowers. You can create the same effects with vegetables as you would with the planting of flowers. Just arrange the pots or containers that you plant with vegetables as you would if you were planting flowers. There are large varieties of colors and sizes of vegetable plants as there is in flowering plants.

Planters that can be used for container planting are endless. If it is strong enough to hold soil mix and plants you want to grow it can be used. Just make sure there are holes in the base of the container or pot for water to drain from.The most common types of planters that are used are your standard indoor plant pots.They are usually made of clay, ceramic, plastic or wood and are purchased at your local garden center or department store.

Soil mix for container planting should be a light weight mix. Soilless potting mix is the best for container planting because of it’s ability to aerate well and retain moisture. Soilless potting mix is usually a blend of peat, perlite and or vermiculite.

The planting of plants or seeds in containers is done the same way as would be done in a garden. Just follow the instruction that come with the plants or on the seed packet. The location that the containers are placed is also important. Read the instruction for location needed for what you are planting. Some plants need full sun, partial sun or even shade.

Watering of plants in containers needs to be checked on a daily bases. Containers don’t hold the volume of moisture as would be retained in garden soil with a good soil structure. Usually containers need to be watered daily if not every other day. Temperature and rainfall amounts are the two main factors in when watering and how much is needed. Keep the soil in the containers moist at all times.

Nutrients in the soil also need to be monitored regularly. Due to the frequent watering of container planting the nutrients can be easily washed from the soil. A slow release organic fertilizer will add the nutrients needed back in the soil.

A environment friendly and healthy way of gardening. Organic Gardening is away of gardening in harmony with nature. Growing a healthy and productive crop in a way that is healthier for both you and the environment.

John Yazo

http://www.organicheirloomgardening.com

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