Healthy living starts with a GREEN diet! We all know organic foods can be on the expensive side, however, organic guarantees that the food has not been genetically modified--it comes straight from nature. But, you really don't have to break the bank to eat healthy. For instance, just one bell pepper can cost a dollar and change...but for the same amount of money, you could grow a plant that could produce dozens of bell peppers in one growing season compared to the one pepper you bought at the market. Not to mention, the market pepper was sprayed with pesticides, unless you bought the organic one.
Instead of spending tons of money at the market, spend some of your time in your garden growing your own ORGANIC vegetables. It's really not difficult. Organic gardening isn't any different from other forms except that you will be paying closer attention to how you tend to your plants.
Don't have enough yard space?....You don't need a lot...or try other options such as the above picture, recycle something...the plants in the picture are in gutters!! How clever is that? Or, you could use pots and planters....this is very doable. Here are some tips that may help you get started:
1. ORGANIC BEGINNINGS: Try and find organic seeds. This can be difficult because not many packages will come right out and say "We're genetically modified". (Genetically modified are not seeds directly from nature, they have been tampered with)
2. AVOID CHEMICALS: Forget about the insecticides, pesticides and herbicides, they are full of chemicals that are toxic. Not only will they kill off the intended victim, but they will harm anything else they come in contact with. Lady bugs and other insects that help in the garden will be killed off. Maintaining healthy soil and fertilizing your plants will increase their resistance to attacks from pests.
3. MULCH: Switch to organic mulch. Mulch makes a huge difference when it comes to weed and pest control. There are tons of organic mulches on the market, but you can also use grass clippings from your lawn. If you do decide to use your lawn clippings. make sure synthetic fertilizers weren't used on your lawn.
4. DO THE UPKEEP: Keep up on the weeds in your garden. Weeds are more harmful to gardens than many people tend to think. They steal food and water away from your plants and have the potential to smother your vegetable plants.
5. WATERING: Believe it or not there are actually correct ways to water. You should NEVER water at night, (I did not know this). Watering at night increases the likelihood of fungal problems in the plants. The best time to water is between 6 and 8 am so that the leaves have a chance to dry off before it cools down at night.
Another watering mistake people make is watering too often. When you water, the idea is to keep the soil moist but not flooded or completely dried out. Like other living things, plants can drown too! Try and water at at the base of the plant and let the water run deep down. In most cases, watering every day is not necessary unless your plants are in containers...for whatever the reason, container "gardens" do require watering everyday.
It really is so rewarding to plant your own garden and watch everything come to life! Not only is it extremely economical, but you know for a fact your vegetables have absolutely no toxic sprays on them. And the taste of vegetables picked straight from your garden is like nothing you will ever experience from a store-bought vegetable. I plant a big garden every year....if you do plan on growing a lot of vegetables, just make sure you have enough time to spend on getting the vegetables "stored" for the winter. I do not can vegetables...I freeze everything, including whole tomatoes! I tried that last year and it worked really good. You have to use the frozen tomatoes in cooking....they are not good for salads or eaten raw...they become soggy. But for cooking such as making sauce, using tomatoes in soups, stews, or any recipe that calls for canned tomatoes....I just grab a bag out of the freezer, thaw, throw them in my food processor or blender and you have fresh tomatoes in your recipe. Easy and delicious!
So, make room for some plants.....either in your backyard or any containers you may have...even 5 gallon pails from Home Depot work....just make holes in the bottom for water drainage. Your garden can be as simple or as creative as you would like it to be.
Check out the farmer's market and local nurseries for your vegetable plants...decide what you want to grow, and get digging!!
This is so worth your time and effort.....
Instead of spending tons of money at the market, spend some of your time in your garden growing your own ORGANIC vegetables. It's really not difficult. Organic gardening isn't any different from other forms except that you will be paying closer attention to how you tend to your plants.
Don't have enough yard space?....You don't need a lot...or try other options such as the above picture, recycle something...the plants in the picture are in gutters!! How clever is that? Or, you could use pots and planters....this is very doable. Here are some tips that may help you get started:
1. ORGANIC BEGINNINGS: Try and find organic seeds. This can be difficult because not many packages will come right out and say "We're genetically modified". (Genetically modified are not seeds directly from nature, they have been tampered with)
2. AVOID CHEMICALS: Forget about the insecticides, pesticides and herbicides, they are full of chemicals that are toxic. Not only will they kill off the intended victim, but they will harm anything else they come in contact with. Lady bugs and other insects that help in the garden will be killed off. Maintaining healthy soil and fertilizing your plants will increase their resistance to attacks from pests.
3. MULCH: Switch to organic mulch. Mulch makes a huge difference when it comes to weed and pest control. There are tons of organic mulches on the market, but you can also use grass clippings from your lawn. If you do decide to use your lawn clippings. make sure synthetic fertilizers weren't used on your lawn.
4. DO THE UPKEEP: Keep up on the weeds in your garden. Weeds are more harmful to gardens than many people tend to think. They steal food and water away from your plants and have the potential to smother your vegetable plants.
5. WATERING: Believe it or not there are actually correct ways to water. You should NEVER water at night, (I did not know this). Watering at night increases the likelihood of fungal problems in the plants. The best time to water is between 6 and 8 am so that the leaves have a chance to dry off before it cools down at night.
Another watering mistake people make is watering too often. When you water, the idea is to keep the soil moist but not flooded or completely dried out. Like other living things, plants can drown too! Try and water at at the base of the plant and let the water run deep down. In most cases, watering every day is not necessary unless your plants are in containers...for whatever the reason, container "gardens" do require watering everyday.
It really is so rewarding to plant your own garden and watch everything come to life! Not only is it extremely economical, but you know for a fact your vegetables have absolutely no toxic sprays on them. And the taste of vegetables picked straight from your garden is like nothing you will ever experience from a store-bought vegetable. I plant a big garden every year....if you do plan on growing a lot of vegetables, just make sure you have enough time to spend on getting the vegetables "stored" for the winter. I do not can vegetables...I freeze everything, including whole tomatoes! I tried that last year and it worked really good. You have to use the frozen tomatoes in cooking....they are not good for salads or eaten raw...they become soggy. But for cooking such as making sauce, using tomatoes in soups, stews, or any recipe that calls for canned tomatoes....I just grab a bag out of the freezer, thaw, throw them in my food processor or blender and you have fresh tomatoes in your recipe. Easy and delicious!
So, make room for some plants.....either in your backyard or any containers you may have...even 5 gallon pails from Home Depot work....just make holes in the bottom for water drainage. Your garden can be as simple or as creative as you would like it to be.
Check out the farmer's market and local nurseries for your vegetable plants...decide what you want to grow, and get digging!!
This is so worth your time and effort.....
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