Posts Tagged ‘Topsoil’
GROW AN ORGANIC GARDEN IN THE DESERT!
Organic food is growing more and more popular as we discover the hazards of the pesticides and petroleum-based fertilizers which are used to grow our foods. However, organic food, particularly produce, is liable to be quite a bit more expensive than food raised with modern methods. Consequently, many people are creating their own organic gardens to grow food for their table. Living in the Phoenix area does not exclude you from making an organic garden. Although organic gardening in the desert does entail some additional attention, it is completely possible and can be a very rewarding hobby.The first thing you need to do to create an organic garden is choose a location. While sunshine is rarely a problem in the desert, you do need to make sure that your garden will have a minimum of six hours of sunlight that will not be interrupted by a shadow from a tree or your house. You will also want to choose an area that is big enough to hold the plants you have determined to plant in the ground. Remove the weeds, and fence it in by using aviary wire, in order to keep out rodents. You can also construct a planting .. more »
HOME VEGETABLE GARDENING – TAKING CARE OF BLOSSOM END ROT
Blossom end rot occurs because the soil in your home vegetable garden is deficient in calcium. It also occurs when the weather in your area has been considerably wet followed by an immediate dry period.Blossom end rot most notably affects peppers, squash, tomatoes and watermelon. As you can see in the picture, it looks like a dark circle and spreads to the end fruit as the vegetable will then look like it is rotting.If not taken care of it could spread to the remaining of the unaffected portion of your garden and also lead to additional or secondary rotting.Here are steps you can take to control blossom end rot in your home vegetable garden.Prior to planting any vegetables, always obtain a pH level reading on your soil conditions. You can obtain good testing kits at your local garden center that will give you the amount of calcium you have in your soil.Prior to planting any vegetables, always obtain a pH level reading on your soil conditions. You can obtain good testing kits at your local garden center that will give you the amount of calcium you have in your soil.The test kit you purchased in step one should also give .. more »