Garden

 Planting Your Own Organic Garden

Growing your own organic garden is very rewarding. The benefits are endless: You know where your produce is coming from. You know that you've used soil that is rich and free of pesticides or artificial fertilizers. You know there are no pesticides or GMOs in the fruits or veggies you eat. It's convenient too- you can just step outside and pick your veggies. I like swiss chard, kale, and bok choy because they grow year round. Lovacore is an ap to find out which crops are in season. Another indicator is visiting your local farmer's market. What they're selling is what's in season and local to your area. 

Building a healthy garden begins with the soil. Check your ground to see what kind of soil you have, if your're planting on the ground. If you like planter boxes, you can use potting soil and compost. It's full of nutrients that will make your plants strong, healthy, and resistant from pests. If you don't have a composter, you can buy your compost. I like the ones they sell at Armstrongs Garden. Next. is finding the best crops. I buy organic seeds or seedlings. Check out the back side of your seed packets, and it will tell you the best time for planting. You'll have better crop turnout if you follow this. Understanding the balance of nature is also important.  I've learned about flowers that attract beneficial insects, pollinators, those "buggy" ones that love to destroy plants and those little critters that relish on snacking your crops. No wonder Farmer McGregor is not happy with Peter Rabbit. Check out www.ipm.ucdavis.edu for more information about organic gardening, beneficial insects, and pests.

You begin to appreciate farmers and their hard work. It takes a lot of perseverance and understanding how nature works. But wait and see...the reward of being your own farmer is bliss!

 Nature's Beauty

Nature is perfect in it's own way. Just look at floweing plants. From the simplest corolla to  the most intricate, like this artichoke flower. It looks like spines from an ocean creature. It's color is vibrant lavander. It blooms once a year, so if you're not up to eating an artichoke, don't pick it, and let it bloom. 

When Nature Loves You Back