Recycling Plant Waste Into Nutritious Fertilizer By Patton Andres

Lots of people out there wish they had better looking lawns, but can't make the time and money commitment to make it happen. There is, however, a way to make your yard look great for practically free - organic garden fertilizer. There are so many different materials from your yard that can be turned into fertilizer, and it is actually easier to do than you might anticipate. The best fertilizer comes from the garden, especially your grass. When you accrue those heaping bags of grass, don't throw them out. With a little composting education, you can learn how to manage these materials and turn them into nutritious fertilizer to feed plants of all types.

Creating a heaping pile of grass will turn slimy and rot, so we must introduce additives into the grass in layers. Specifically, additives of high carbon content, which includes leaves, branches or wood pieces. These are otherwise known as "browns". Aerate the pile on a regular basis using a shovel or rake. Fresh grass contains a lot of nitrogen content and moisture, which makes the grass stick together and reduces oxygen flow. Oxygen needs to be introduced into the system to promote bacteria growth. The grass is broken down and recycled back into nutrients that plants can use.

Another tip to promote a clean compost pile is to dry out the grass in the sun before piling up. Several smaller piles are easier to manage than one huge one. Trying to oxygenate and turn over a large pile can be difficult. If you find that the decomposition process is just too smelly, or you want to speed up the process, try adding some lime to the mixture. You will notice a dramatic improvement.

If piles just aren't your thing, consider purchasing a compost bin. This isn't a free method, but a bin will provide many years of use and is a more controlled system. A compost bin can turn any garden material into plant feed. Material is put into the container and begins a controlled rot. The container can be tumbled to oxygenate the material. Offensive odors are effectively contained and moisture is kept in well. While waiting for the solid materials to degrade, you can also extract a special liquid plant feed from the container. This liquid will gather in the bottom of the compost bin over time. Many bins have a convenient tap that can extract the liquid easily.

Composting can recycle many materials that would more than likely be thrown out. You can save money on fertilizer and produce a happy, healthy lawn at the same time. This natural plant feed is better in many ways than the store bought products.

Working in the yard can be a time of peace and relaxation in the fresh air. To learn tips and tricks on yard care, visit the informative guide at Yardsurfer.

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Herbs As Aid to Organic Gardening By John Beaver

This guide to organic herb gardens intends to offer you some advice on using herbs as natural pest and disease repellents in a vegetable or flower garden. Gardening free of chemical use can be easily achieved by planting certain herbs which will keep your garden bug free and eliminate the need for harmful pesticides.

Those gardeners who are keen to adopt an organic approach to their gardening should know that they can discourage garden pests without using all those chemical products that harm beneficial insects such as bees and ladybugs and which have such devastating effects on birdlife. You do not have to tolerate, or fight to eliminate, all those pesky insects that are out there just waiting to pounce.

Some herbs, because of their smells or secretions, will deter pests naturally so when planted generally around the garden will sit there doing their work with absolutely no effort from the gardener. Just think what a relief that would be.

Being just a short guide to organic herb gardens this is intended to be no more than an insight into the chemical free way to bring natural balance into your garden, but it cannot cover every herb. Following however, is a list of the most common ones. Every one of these herbs has specific, and some duplicated benefits, for the organic gardener. Just choose those you like best as the most suitable herbs for your purpose and get them planted out in your organic garden. Then sit back and stop worrying about attacks from insect pests.

BASIL will repel flies and mosquitoes.
BAY LEAF should be ground up and sprinkled around as a natural insecticide dust.
BORAGE will deter tomato worms.
CALENDULA when planted throughout the garden will discourage many insects.
GARLIC will repel aphids.
HORSERADISH should be planted in the potato patch to keep away potato bugs.
HYSSOP is good for deterring cabbage moths.
LOVAGE mixed with your compost heap will improve the nitrogen content.
MINT will repel white cabbage moths.
NASTURTIUM planted under fruit trees will deter aphids and other pests.
PEPPERMINT repels white cabbage moths.
PETUNIAS repel the asparagus beetle, tomato worm and general garden pests.
ROSEMARY will deter cabbage moths, bean beetles, and carrot flies.
SAGE is good for repelling cabbage moths, beetles, carrot flies.
TANSY: is another herb for fruit trees, also roses and raspberries as it will deter flying insects,
WORMWOOD: is just a bonus, what is your biggest pest - is it the neighborhood tom cat? Wormwood will keeps animals away from your garden if planted out along your borders.

That is not the end of the benefits to be had from growing these herbs because they all make excellent companion plants when planted among various fruit and vegetable crops. Look out for an article coming soon explaining about companion gardening.

My name is John and I've been interested in growing and using herbs for longer than I care to think about. Having carried out a great deal of research on the subject I've now compiled a huge amount of knowledge which I want to share. To see more great information on organic herb gardens, and much more please visit my website where there are details of a free herb gardening mini-course: http://www.herbgardendelights.com.

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