Organic Gardens
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Coming in from the Cold
Bringing your precious plants in for the winter need not be an exhausting, complex ordeal. Here are a few tips and guidelines for what to do and how and when to do it.
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Damage Control - Can This Plant Be Saved?
If your landscape has been neglected and looks like it's reached the Plant Point of No Return, think again. There are many steps you can take to resusitate your garden...without pesticides.
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The Virtues and Versatility of Vinegar
Vinegar isn't just for salad dressing anymore...it is a relatively safe and versatile tool when used in organic gardening. Here are some tips, as well as a bit of valuable background.
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Where on Earth...? How To Find Organic Gardening Products
Want to get started in organic gardening but can't find the products you need? They're more readily available than you think...
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Much Ado About Mulch
Mulching your garden beds is essential, especially at this time of year, when temperatures begin to really climb and rain becomes a little more scarce.
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Organic Solutions for Common Spring Pest Problems
Spring is in the air...and so are some hungry pests. This month, I'll go over some common pests that rear their ugly heads in the pre-summer months, and what you can do -- or not do, in some cases -- to deter them.
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Critter Ridder
A big part of organic gardening is embracing and encouraging biodiversity...even if that means taking the high road with some creatures we'd just as soon do without.
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Amendments to the Organic Soil Constitution
Are your plants ready for bed? Are your beds ready to be planted? This is the perfect time of year for amending the soil with organic matter.
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The Dirty Laundry Behind Organic Seed Germination
Starting seeds indoors doesn't have to be scary, but it usually does take some practice...and a few piles of dirty laundry.
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Can You Dig It?
Join me for (almost) daily organic gardening thoughts at my new blog! Can You Dig It? (The site will open in a new browser window.)
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Winter Gardener's Blues? Not a Chance!
Winter doesn't have to be a dull, dead time of year for organic gardeners. In fact, some of the tasks you do now can help immensely with the condition of your garden come springtime.
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Ho-Ho...O! Organic Gardening Gifts and Tips for the Holiday Season
A concise gift guide for the organic gardener on your holiday shopping list.
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The Results Are In!
Analyzing a professional soil test done on my new lawn, and the organic recommendations for its recovery.
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The Soil Rehab Begins
Update on soil rehab.
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Russian Sage and Garden Rehab
First, we take a look at a truly carefree, award-winning perennial that should be planted now for next summer's color: Russian Sage. Also, I'll share the preliminary stages of detoxing my new lawn and garden.
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Assembling Your Organic Arsenal
Organic gardening isn't rocket science, but it can be a little confusing. Here's a basic primer of products that'll keep your garden strong as well as non-toxic.
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An Organic Breakthrough in the Battle with Fire Ants
Tired of being frustrated with some of the ineffective organic recommendations for ridding your yard of fire ants? Help is here.
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Let's Talk Dirty - The Basics of Beginning Composting
Compost is the best friend of organic gardeners. Don't relish the thought of tending to a messy, stinky, rotting pile of garbage? You're kidding, right? Actually, composting is not only educational and beneficial, it's fun...(and only stinky if you're doing it wrong).
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Organic Gardening: Getting Started, Doing the Right Thing
Many people would like to either "convert" to organic gardening or just get started as a new gardener using organic methods. The most oft-asked question is: how and where do I begin?
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Tender Onion Greens All Season Long
Various onion types are tender at different times of the season. Plan to have every type, and you will always have fresh tender onion greens.
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Fruit Tree Pruning, Instructions
Here's how to prune fruit trees of the rose family, the only fruit trees which grow in the cold North American prairies. Step by step instructions.
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Fruit Tree Pruning, Introduction
Fruit trees need severe pruning to produce a rich harvest. They need to be pruned during their dormant stage, and that is the ideal time when gardeners have lots of time.
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Organic Garden from Scratch
You can start an organic garden from scratch even if you are disabled and unable to do back-breaking work. Here is how I did it.
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Marijuana, Ukrainian Companion Plant
Why waste a perfectly good cannabis plant by burning it when you can use it as a deterrent for insect pests, eat the seeds, and make cloth from the fibres? The marijuana plant is native to Ukraine where it is used as a companion plant in gardens.
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A Time for All Things
Mother Nature has her own seeding timetable. Gardeners do well to pay attention to that timetable to reap the best possible harvest.
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Fruit for Frigid Climates
Growing fruit in the cold climate of the Canadian prairies is a challenge, but the Canadian government has developed varieties in their research station in Morden, Manitoba, which will thrive as far north as zone 2.
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Using Earth Minerals
Adding natural rock dust Earth minerals to the soil provides nutrients to plants over a long period. Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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New Composting Assurance Standards
New quality assurance standards for the composting industry gives confidence to consumers who buy their products. Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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Grow Delicious Kiwifruit
How to grow delicious kiwifruit organically in your backyard. Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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Making Use of Sawdust
In areas where it is readily available, sawdust makes good organic material for your garden, but you need to learn how to prepare it to eliminate the poisonous ingredients. Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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Grow Blooming Roses
How to grow these colorful perennial favorites organically? Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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Is Organic Food More Nutritious?
Scientific evidence points towards organic food being more nutritious than conventional foods. Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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Worm Composting
Worms eat and recycle your garbage into important nutrition for your plants. They can do so right in your kitchen. Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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Mushroom Delights
How to grow your own mushrooms in a dark cool area by purchasing spore or a kit in a bag. Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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Growing Garlic
Growing garlic can be fun and rewarding with the proper care and attention. Garlic has beneficial properties for plants and people. Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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The Neem Tree
The much revered neem tree has a broader range of benificial uses than most trees. Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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Grow Tasty Cucumbers
Growing cucumbers during the warmer months is a fun and rewarding pastime. Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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Bio-control of Pests and Diseases, II
This article describes beneficial predator animals, insects, and plants. Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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Bio-control of Pests and Diseases, I
Biological control involves controlling pests to maintain a natural balance in a ecosystem. Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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Grow Beans
How to grow dwarf and climbing green beans as well as broad beans? Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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Collect Your Own Shrub and Tree Seeds
Enjoy the rewarding pursuit of shrub and tree seed collecting in your own locality. Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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Why Perennials?
The importance of perennials in the landscape as opposed to monoculture. Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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Ginseng in Your Backyard
How to grow the oriental medicinal plant ginseng at home in a cool climate, and how it is grown in Canada. Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller with additional Canadian information by Traute Klein.
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Grow Succulent Apples
How to grow succulent apples the natural way, from soil preparation to harvesting. Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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Grow Organic Citrus
How to grow citrus organically? Consider climatic and cultural aspects to produce abundant crops. Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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Garden Biodynamically, II
This article continues BD and covers such aspects as cover crops, companion planting, herbal teas, ashing and the astrological points. Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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Garden Biodynamically, I
Biodynamics (BD) is an advanced form of organic gardening. Integrate crops, nutrient recycle, soil and plant health and the gardener in a holistic manner. Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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Saving Your Own Seed
Save seed from your own heirloom vegetables to prolong the production of these varieties. Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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Controlling Pests and Diseases Naturally
Control pests and diseases without using harmful synthetic pesticides. These include companion planting, biological controls to physical barriers. A healthy plant is less prone to pests and diseases. Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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Growing Sweet Corn
Growing succulant sweet corn organically in late spring and summer. Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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Natural Weed Control
Controlling weeds without using expensive chemicals. The conditions which are most favorable for weed growth. Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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Improving Your Soil, II
Natural fertilizers which are available and suggested application rates. Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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Improving Your Soil, I
The process of adding organic matter, from animal and green manures to cover crops, to improve your soil. Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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Growing Organic Potatoes
Organic potato growing in the home garden. Soil preparation, cultural practices to harvesting and storage explained. Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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Health and Safety in the Organic Garden
Be aware of the dangers of organic gardening to make it safely. Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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Permaculture Gardening
A description of permaculture gardening, principals and valid reasons for its development. Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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Make Your Own Compost
Making compost. Hints of what to do and what not to do. Written by Geoffrey Ian Miller.
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