Growing Organic
*This Article appeared in Volume 9, Issue 10 of The Wave Magazine.
If “health is wealth,” an organic garden is one of the best investments you can make, one that not only increases the value of your property, but keeps you and your family healthy. According to Patricia Becker, executive director of the Common Ground Organic Supply and Education Center in Palo Alto, “Healthy soil leads to healthy plants leads to healthy people. Pesticides are known to affect body systems including our immune system, our mood, even our memory.” Here are a few tips to get your organic garden going this summer:
Healthy Soil: It’s the building block of a healthy garden. If you think of soil as just dirt, think again. It is an ecosystem of organic and mineral matter, populated by micro-organisms vital to plant health. Texture is one indicator of healthy soil. The goal is loamy soil, well balanced between clay, silt and sand particles. Whether your soil is too sandy or too lumpy with clay, it will always benefit from the addition of compost or organic fertilizer, which increases microorganism activity, improves texture, creates space for air and water, and allows the soil to drain well.
Just Compost It! June is a great time to build your very own compost pile with refuse from the garden, and maintaining it is easier than you might think. All you need is a corner of your yard, a shovel or pitchfork for turning the pile, and the four essential ingredients: green, brown, water and air. A compost pile should include “green” (plant and grass clippings) and “brown” materials (leaves, shredded newspaper or cardboard). Keep the pile moist with water, and introduce air by turning it frequently. One of the big worries about compost heaps is that they’ll stink and attract pests, but when turned regularly and kept moist, they smell just like, well, dirt. Until you’ve built up a harvest of your own compost, use an organic compost or fertilizer such as Bioturf or Corn Weed Blocker.
Companion Planting and Cover Crops. Companion planting helps bring your garden into balance. Some plants have natural substances that repel unwanted pests, others attract butterflies, birds and helpful insects. During summer, it’s also helpful to protect soil from the sun by planting a cover or compost crop such as buckwheat or alfalfa. There are many varieties of herbs, flowers, grains etc. that can be used for companion plants and cover crops. Plants that are native to our region tend to attract the right kinds of visitors. A great list of companion plants and cover crops can be found at www.valcorerecycling.org/compcrops
Natural Weed and Pest Control: In addition to using companion planting, there are other simple steps to discourage harmful garden intruders such as weeds, aphids and snails. Homemade barrier paper does wonders for weed suppression. Simply wet several pages of newspaper or cardboard, lay the paper down on the soil in between plants and cover with mulch. Plants continue to thrive, weeds can’t break through the paper, and the weed barrier simply decomposes over time. Sprinkle crushed eggshells around the base of young plants to deter snails, slugs and other soft-bodied garden pests. Make sure to water early in the morning, ensuring that plant foliage stays dry most of the day (wet foliage attracts insects). Beneficial insects such as ladybugs and praying mantis have an appetite for garden pests. These desirable visitors can be purchased online or attracted to your garden by planting specific plants. More information on non-toxic pest strategies can be found at www.eartheasy.com
Common Ground Organic Supply and Education Center, 559 College Ave., Palo Alto (650) 493-6072 www.commongroundinpaloalto.org
PEST CONTROL
According to Patricia Becker of Common Ground in Palo Alto, “Sometimes the best pest control strategy is just to be patient and wait. You might have a lot of insects one day and come back two days later and they’ve moved on.” But if you must combat an infestation on a particular plant,non-toxic insect sprays are inexpensive and easy to make at home. Two popular recipes:
01 Mix one tablespoon canola oil and a few drops of Ivory soap into a quart of water. Shake well and pour into a spray bottle. Be sure to spray the undersides of leaves as well. The oil smothers the insects.
02 Mix two tablespoons of hot pepper sauce or cayenne pepper with a few drops of Ivory soap into a quart of water. Let stand overnight, then stir and pour into a spray bottle, shaking frequently during application.
NOTE: Be sure to only use these sprays on infested plants, as sprays that repel harmful pests can repel beneficial insects as well.
Heidi Livingston Eisips is the founder of Korala Consulting (www.koralaconsulting.com) – specializing in marketing and strategy for sustainable businesses. She is also a founder and instructor at the Green Tech Academy (www.greentechacademy.org).
*This Article appeared in Volume 9, Issue 10 of The Wave Magazine.