Organic Gardening
JOE GARDENER BLOG
- Saturday, July 06, 2024
https://joegardener.com/resources-links/
• Hi, I’m Joe! •
My infatuation with gardening and nature began as a child, growing up in Miami, Florida.
After a run-in with my parents’ favorite shrub, I panicked and jammed the broken branch into the ground.
A few weeks later, it had taken root.
I was not only relieved; I was hooked on horticulture.
That defining moment was literally life-changing!
From there I couldn’t get enough information about growing plants. I was a sponge for book knowledge and practical application. And I was only eight years-old! I propagated, planted, and grew everything I could get my hands on.
When it came to plants, I didn’t discriminate. I grew pole beans from seed along the side of our house, mango trees in the backyard, and even found room for a rose garden!
I took cuttings, potted them up and sold them at church fundraisers, bazaars and flea markets. There was no turning back.
When it came time for college, I was dead set on a horticulture degree. Fortunately, my very wise mother encouraged me to pursue a business degree as well. Mother knows best, so that’s what I did.
Upon graduation, there were a lot more employers looking for business majors
than horticulture grads, plus the pay was better.
My life in the business world, although successful monetarily,
left me restless and yearning for a professional life
with the sun on my back and my hands in the soil.
My business background gave me the skills I needed to venture out on my own - shedding the suit and tie and working in horticultural consulting and design, while endlessly using my own home garden and landscape as my living laboratory and loving every second of it.
ORGANIC GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS
- Friday, October 06, 2023
Here's a great resource for organic gardening beginners.
"Is there anything tastier than a sun-warmed tomato you can eat fresh off the vine while standing in the garden? One of the biggest perks of organic gardening is that you know what is—and isn't—in your food. Plus, growing vegetables, herbs, and flowers organically means your garden becomes a wonderful haven for birds, bees, and butterflies. Growing an organic garden is easier than you might think. Just follow the tips we've put together in this "organic gardening for beginners" guide and you'll soon be on your way to a delicious harvest."
https://bonnieplants.com/blogs/garden-fundamentals/organic-gardening-for-beginners
FEED THE SOIL NOT THE PLANT
- Wednesday, August 02, 2023
The Benefits of Healthy Soil
Healthy soil benefits plants, people, and the environment at large. Some of the benefits of healthy soil include:
- Healthy soil creates healthy plants that are less vulnerable to pests and disease.
- Healthy soil sticks together and has a sponge-like structure. It holds moisture and prevents erosion.
- Healthy soil captures, filters, and infiltrates stormwater.
- Healthy soil suppresses weeds.
- Healthy soil captures and stores carbon.
- Healthy soil produces high yields without the need for harmful chemical inputs—for vegetable gardens and large farms alike.
- Healthy soil produces the highest-quality, most nutritious vegetables!
Go to this link to read more about improving your soil: https://www.theconservationfoundation.org/how-healthy-soil-makes-healthy-plants-and-ecosystems/#:~:text=Healthy%20soil%20creates%20healthy%20plants,%2C%20filters%2C%20and%20infiltrates%20stormwater.
ORGANIC PRACTICES FOR LAWN CARE
- Tuesday, April 04, 2023
Here are some steps for getting on the right track for caring for your lawn organically by Beyond Pesticides.
Click here: TREATING YOUR LAWN ORGANICALLY
Beyond Pesticides is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., which works with allies in protecting public health and the environment to lead the transition to a world free of toxic pesticides. The founders, who established Beyond Pesticides (originally as National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides) as a nonprofit membership organization in 1981, felt that without the existence of such an organized, national network, local, state and national pesticide policy would become, under chemical industry pressure, increasingly unresponsive to public health and environmental concerns.
Beyond Pesticides believes that people must have a voice in decisions that affect them directly. We believe decisions should not be made for us by chemical companies or by decision-makers who either do not have all of the facts or refuse to consider them. Learn more about our work, read A Year in Review—2021, our accomplishments are your victories!
ORGANIC GARDENING LECTURE WITH STEVE CHANEY
- Tuesday, April 04, 2023
Steve Chaney is retired from Texas A&M University. He is an experienced horticulturist with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Skilled in Plant Identification, Landscaping, Event Management, Public Speaking, and Environmental Awareness. Steve is a strong operations professional with a Master of Science (MS) focused in Agricultural and Extension Education Services from Oklahoma State University.
Here is a lecture he gave on line on the Save Tarrant Water youtube channel. Organic Gardening in North Texas