Using Vinegar for Inexpensive and Organic Weed Control ( Vinegar as a Herbicide)

Is Vinegar a Herbicide?

Vinegar has shown promise as a broad spectrum herbicide. Effectiveness depends on the type of weed, the age of the weed and the concentration of the acetic acid in the vinegar. Household vinegar is a 5% acetic acid solution. Stronger concentrations of 15, 20 and 30% acetic acid are also available All concentrations of acetic acid, including household vinegar, should cause treated foliage to brown within 24 hours. Young, tender weeds and annual weeds like crab grass are susceptible to treatment with household vinegar. However the roots are often not killed entirely and the weeds may reappear within a few weeks. Repeated applications, usually 3, are more effective and stronger concentrations of acetic acid work even faster and longer. 

What is Horticultural Oil?

What is Horticultural Oil?

Oil based pesticides are an effective and ecologically friendly way to handle many garden insect pests and even some diseases. The majority of pest control oils are some type of mineral oil, a refined petroleum product. There are a few vegetable oils that are also effective pesticides, such as cottonseed oil and soybean oil. The oil is usually combined with some type of emulsifying agent so that it can be mixed with water and used as a spray.

Organic Ant Control

If you mention in certain circles that you practice ant control in the yard, you're likely to have some smart aleck pipe up and rant, "That's not really necessary. These insects don't cause much damage to plants, so just leave them alone." But what your Mr. Know-It-All isn't recognizing in his rant is that, indirectly, ants can cause significant damage to plants.

Organic Ant Control Part 2

I ended Page 1 by noting the problem some homeowners have with traditional ways (e.g., the growing of plants thought to repel ants) used to get rid of ants: namely, that they don't have time to experiment with such methods for getting rid of ants. Such homeowners may well ask, "Is there an organic product sold in stores or on the Web that will kill ants?"

How to Make a Trash Can Composter

Not every gardener has the space for a large compost pile, and not all municipalities allow back yard composting. The good news is that it's very easy to compost in a small space. Even if all you have is a patio or balcony, you can use this method of making compost in a trash can. And, if you need to compost on the sly, no one will be the wiser---they'll just see another trash can.

To start out composting, purchase the most inexpensive 32 gallon or larger plastic garbage can you can find. Make sure it has a lid. If rats are a problem in your area, consider purchasing a metal trash can. Then, using a two to three-inch hole saw bit and a drill, drill holes all the way around the trash can (lid, bottom, and sides) six to twelve inches apart. Cover these holes with window screening. Good strong duct tape or epoxy will work. Put your trash can composter in a convenient place. If possible, raise it up on a couple of bricks to get even more air circulation to the contents of the trash can composter.

Improving Soil on the Small Farm

One of the biggest components of growing good plants is the soil. Simple, but many beginning farmers skimp on proper preparation of the soil before planting. With some testing, care, and amending, you too can have loamy, well-aerated, deliciously dark soil to grow the best crops.

How to Start a New Organic Garden

Planting and maintaining an organic garden is a rewarding experience. While many of the steps for making a new organic garden are similar to starting any type of garden, there are a few noticeable differences. For example, there is a lot more work up front, planning and analyzing the site. This work is essential for any organic garden: ideal conditions result in healthier plants, fewer pest and disease problems, and a more care-free garden.

Organic Citrus Care Guide

Citrus are native to Asia and are attractive, evergreen trees with fragrant blossoms. They are one of the most popular trees in the home garden but unfortunately unhealthy looking specimens are common, as their needs are not always understood. Citrus need regular feeding and attention paid to preventing pests and diseases.

One important rule for citrus is NEVER GROW IT IN THE MIDDLE OF LAWN, with grass right up to the trunk and expect it to thrive. The grass competes for water and nutrients and also releases allelopathic chemicals into the soil that diminish the vigour of the tree.

Organic Pest Control

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Here's how to keep your garden thriving.

• Practice good hygiene in orchard and never leave fruit to rot on the ground.
• Bronze orange bug give away their presence by their foul smell. The young pale green nymphs appear in winter, their colour changes through orange to bronze as they grow to adults. They can be serious pests in some areas, causing flower and fruit drop by sucking on the stalks. Hand removal is possible, use a bucket of hot water to knock the bugs into.

Improve Your Soil Organically

Give your garden the best chance at survival with these tips from Green Harvest Organic Gardening Supplies.

Healthy soils are a complex web of life, teeming with earthworms, fungi and bacteria. They smell good and are moist and crumbly. Roots are able to penetrate deep into the soil. Plants growing in healthy soils have fewer pest and disease problems. 

If your soil doesn't match this picture of health but instead dries out to a cement-like texture, is devoid of life, plants look sickly and are plagued with pest problems, then your soil is in desperate need of organic matter.

Organic Gardening Step By Step Guide

 If green is the new black, then organic gardening is the hottest new hobby taking backyards by storm. Once confined to the uber healthy out there, organic gardens are now popping up in communities across Australia, offering locals a place to garden socially and somewhere to get fresh, healthy produce.

Starting an organic garden in your own backyard isn’t hard and you don’t need a lot of space. An organic garden can be as big or small, and as ambitious or low key as you please. It needs to be located in an area that gets at least six hours of sun each day. Avoid areas near large trees as the tree’s roots will interfere with your plants.