[CH] My Gardening Methods (Organic & Not)
RST G (synapse7@home.com)
Fri, 09 Apr 1999 08:58:27 -0400
I use as many organic means as possible (except compost - have no room
in my tiny backyard for a compost bin - barely have enough room for the
garbage cans and recycle bins), I make my own bug spray with hot
peppers, onions, garlic (lots of garlic), water, and other stuff I read
about from Jerry Baker, I spray a little every day, I plant garlic
cloves around some of the plants, and I water every day. I use Roots
Plus fertilizer for tomatoes on most of the veggies and some of the
other plants (I got it from Gardners Supply) and some fish emulsion on
others. But sometimes I use Miracle-Gro, it depends on the plant. Both
have worked for me in the past.
I start all seeds in the little greenhouses that Gardners Supply sell.
I've been doing that for 7 years. Once I see at least one set of leaves,
I take the tops off. When I see 2 sets of leaves, I transplant them
either into small plastic pots or into peat pots. I do find, as others
do, that the peat pots take a lot of extra water but I take off the top
1/3 of the pot and plant it. I only use these with plants that I know
don't like to be transplanted at all like beans.
I've been doing all of this for years and have had some pretty good
yields at the end of the summer. Last summer there were other
circumstances such as horrible growing weather - too much rain and not
enough sun, that ruined everyones yields in the Northeast.
Anyway, my point is, I have been using both for years and have had
terrific yields and no health problems. I have a healthy 3 year old who
has eaten some of it and when I decided not to bottle feed, I took all
of this into consideration. He took in what I ate and he has been
healthy since he was born (one ear infection in 3-1/2 years, pretty
good). So I say, use what you have and what you can afford. Do watch for
things that are definitely bad for you, like PT wood, and have fun.
After all, that is what we are in it for - fun and good food.
RisaG