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Organic Flowers - Natural and Eco-Friendly

April 5th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

When a person decides to grow organic flowers (or natural flowers), they are doing a number of positive things both for themselves and for the environment.  First of all, by eliminating the use of any chemical fertilizers or pesticides, you are doing something very positive for the environment by not adding any potential toxins. Secondly, you’re doing something positive for yourself, because you have decided to grow flowers the natural way and not take any shortcuts thereby proving your skills as a true gardener.

Although many people think of organic flowers and organic gardening as just a type of fancy gardening, they may not realize the true danger that the use of chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers may pose not only to nature but to a person’s health as well.  The problem with chemicals like pesticides is that they do not remain where they are sprayed but rather spread out and affect other plants and also leach out into water supplies.  Then animals that eat the contaminated plants  and grasses also ingest the pesticides and  not only do our water supplies become contaminated but the fish in these water supplies become contaminated and anything that eats the fish may then also be ingesting the toxins.

The Benefits Of Buying or Growing Organic Flowers

Growing organic flowers allows you to enjoy the hobby of gardening the way it has been enjoyed since the dawn of man, naturally.  It encourages gardeners to use only natural organic products and to follow natural practices.  So there is an increased sense of accomplishment in growing a wonderful vegetable or flower garden naturally and knowing that you’ve also helped in reducing toxic chemicals that could potentially cause disease and additional pollution.

If you’re fond of buying flowers for your loved ones, choosing organic flowers help support other gardeners, farmers, and organizations that practiced organic farming.  These organizations that grow organic products usually sell their items for humanitarian or charitable causes.

When you grow organic flowers yourself, he also don’t have to worry about any toxic chemicals affecting the health of you or your loved ones.  You should know that by not protecting yourself from harmful toxins while gardening you automatically allow these toxins on your clothes and body, which could affect the health of children and other people close to you.  Dermatitis is a very common problem with gardeners and farmers to use chemicals in the planning process.  Growing organic flowers can eliminate this problem.
As you can see use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers can have far-reaching effects on both our environment and the food we eat.  By choosing to grow and/or buy organic flowers and vegetables we are making a positive difference for both our environment as well as our own health and the health of those around us.  Buying or growing organic flowers simply makes good sense.

Organic Herb Farms- An Easy Way to Start Your Organic Gardening Experience

March 27th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

If you have little or no experience in organic gardening but would like to start somewhere, an organic herb farm might be your best approach. Herbs are generally easier to grow organically than many other types of crops. Plus, you need only a minimal amount of land. Generally one or two acres is all that is needed to start generating a profitable organic herb farm. But before you begin there are several things you need to consider in order to get your herb farm started on the right foot.

Market Demands and Your Local Climate

As with any new business venture you should develop a business plan and conduct a thorough market analysis. You may have a strong desire to run your own organic herb farm but if they are already several herb farms already in your area it may be difficult to make a profit. You need to make sure the market is large enough to support an additional organic herb farm. He also need to determine how others sell their produce. Do they sell other herbal products as well as the herbs they grow? If so then what additional equipment might you need in order to make those products?

Also if other organic herb farms already exist in your area, what herbs are they growing and will the climate conditions allow you to diversify perhaps into other herbs that they are not selling. Local farmers as well as nurseries are often a good source to determine what types of herbs may grow best in your area. Don’t be afraid to ask for their advice; they are experts and you should pay attention to what they say otherwise you may be putting your hard earned dollars to waste on a product or herb that you cannot sell or may not even be able to properly grow.

Location

When deciding where to start your organic herb farm there are several things you should consider. First, you need to determine how much land you’ll need. Do you want cleared or wooded land? Do you want to put the work in necessary to start a new plot, or perhaps you can find some previously cultivated land. Or perhaps the best of all options would be to find an existing organic herb farm that is for sale.

If you want to live on the land where you’re putting your organic herb farm, then you need to make sure there is an adequate place to put a home unless there’s a home already on the property. In addition to your home what other buildings may you need on your property for the storage of equipment and produce preparation? If there’s not a home on the property and you desire to build a home, make sure you check into available water supplies, as well as electrical supplies and sewage systems or septic systems.

Also since you are planning on using the land for an organic herb farm, make sure that the soil has it been previously treated with chemical additives. It’s a good idea to get a history of the land to know what’s been done in the past, at lease for the past five to 10 years. That’s generally how long you have to go back to get organic certification for your organic herb farm.

Crop Decisions

Deciding which crops to grow under organic herb farm can be a crucial factor in determining the ultimate success of your farm. While acres and acres of lavender certainly looked beautiful and impressive, you’re generally much better off diversifying your herb farm among several different crops just in case one doesn’t do well.

Perennial herbs, such as lavender, thyme, and rosemary can be grown on your organic herb farm and sold directly to consumers, food producers, or cosmetic and other industries. You can also decide to make herbal products and sell them as well. Culinary herbs are generally a solid cash crop. Although annual culinary herbs such as oregano and basil are more commonly grown hydroponically, you can still grow them in the ground as well.

The market for natives or naturally growing herbs is currently a very fast-growing market. You can harvest “high-value native plants” wherever they grow on your land. Many of these herbs grow best in wooded areas, so again consideration as to where to place your organic herb farm must be thought out in the context of what herbs you’re going to grow as well. Ginseng, goldenseal, cohosh and Echinacea are all examples of native herbs that have significant commercial value.

if you’ve always dreamed of being a farmer, starting an organic herb farm could be the way the perfect way for you to live that dream. sure there is a lot to learn annual probably make many mistakes along the way, but the good news is an organic herb farm can be started with a relatively small investment and without a degree in agriculture. With a little persistence and determination, you could be living your dream of being a farmer and profiting from the land you work with your organic herb farm.

Organic Gardens-Things to Consider

March 9th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Many of us have tried to grow a garden at one point or another in our lives. Some may have been successful and others not. People have many reasons for growing a garden and these reasons, to a certain extent, may determine their success. Individuals who need to supplement their family with food from a garden are more likely to be successful at it than those that were attempting it as a casual hobby. It’s not necessarily that one person is a better gardener than the other, it’s simply that one is more motivated. So with that being said, it is really not difficult to grow an organic garden if you have the proper motivation.

The idea of being able to provide your family with healthy food that you know is chemical and pesticide free is a great reason to grow an organic garden, and is a huge motivator for a increasing number of people who are starting to grow their own organic food. There are many ways to grow an organic garden. Obviously the main thing you must remember is that you cannot use any chemicals or pesticides when it comes to growing your food. You can use only natural products and this includes fertilizers and bug repellent as well.

Doing the proper research is key to starting a successful organic garden. You will need to know the kind of environment that you live in and what is needed to protect your garden, both in terms of climate and pests. Then you need to also determine what products you can use to grow your garden and the difference in the types of all-natural products that are available.

Along with proper planning for your organic garden, it also must decide what types of food you want to grow and make sure that they will grow properly in your region. Your soil should also be tested and if necessary new soil brought in to use.

A final thought to consider for your organic garden is to make sure you protect it from run offs and other chemicals that might be in use nearby. It can be very frustrating to go through all the effort to make sure your garden is 100% chemical free and all-natural only to have a runoff from a neighbor’s fertilized yard creep into your garden. But once you have thought through all these processes, you can feel secure in the fact that not only are you doing your part to help the environment, but you’re also providing healthy, chemical free foods for your family. A successful organic garden can be a very satisfying experience.

Basic Steps on How to Grow an Organic Garden

March 9th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Growing an organic garden is actually much easier than most people believe. Obviously your first rule is to use only 100% organic products that are chemical and pesticide free. You want to begin by first testing your soil to determine the health of your soil. The best way to do this is to take a sample of your soil in the area were you plan to grow your organic garden to a testing lab. The lab will run various tests on your soil to determine what needs to be done. You can call your local nursery to find the best lab to send your soil off. The next step and growing your organic garden is seed selection. Most cities have several outlets for gardeners to find the exact seeds they are looking for. If you live in a rural area and have access to the Internet than the Internet is also a great place to look for seeds. The type of garden you choose to grow is entirely up to you but you should obviously be giving this some thought because it will affect not only where you put your garden, but how much time and effort you have to put into your garden.

Maintenance Of Your Garden

Though it be nice if one could simply plant the seeds and walk away and come back later with a lovely garden full of fruits and vegetables, the truth is your organic garden, just like anything else, is going to require some regular maintenance. Weeding should take place whenever they appear and a regular watering schedule should be adhered to at all times. You must also be careful not to over water your garden as you may wash away all the nutrients you been trying to accumulate in the soil. Fertilizing is also a key aspect to maintaining your garden. Knowing how and when and what type of fertilizer to use its key to maintaining a thriving organic garden. Generally the best times to fertilize are in the spring and again during summertime. But depending on what you’re growing and the area that you live in this of course could vary.

Determining What to Grow

Obviously a key ingredient to the success of your organic garden is deciding what exactly you will plant. Again, these options are entirely up to you and what you’re trying to accomplish with your garden. Many choose to learn how to grow an organic rose garden or other types of organic flowers, while others may choose to grow organic herbs or vegetables. Again your location and time of year can influence your decision on what to grow. Using seed guides, you can generally determine what items would grow better in your area. Some seeds need to be planted at certain times to ensure optimal growth. But with a little research, a little effort and a touch of a green thumb, you can quickly learn how to grow the perfect organic garden.

Gardening Returns to its Roots-The Organic Garden

March 8th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Gardening is as old as man himself. While many of us enjoy gardening gardening as a wonderful hobby, for a large part of mankind’s history on Earth, gardening was a necessity in order to survive, and still is for a great number of people living today. The newest trend in gardening, organic gardening, is really not new at all, but is in fact, the way people for thousands of years have grown their fruits, vegetables and flowers.

The Growing Popularity of Organic Foods

Organic foods are very popular today, for obvious reasons. All you have to do is turn on the TV or radio and listen to the latest news reports which are filled with stories of potentially dangerous chemicals in our food, as well as the contamination of our food’s being the most recent concern. And with an ever increasing growth in the amount of fruits and vegetables that are being imported into the United States from other countries. Many of us wonder how safe are food really is for us and our children. The only logical alternative to this concern is to try to find produce that has been grown organically.

The Cost of That Organic Gardening

While it’s obvious that organically grown food would probably be your first choice at the grocery store, the truth is purchasing organic produce is cost prohibitive for many people. And the reason for this is fairly simple. When a farmer doesn’t use any chemicals to enhance the growth or to fight the insects, yields will be reduced since you produce less food for the same or even more work than otherwise would be necessary if chemicals were used.

Man Returns to the Garden

This is actually one of the reasons that people have turned back to gardening in recent times. An organic garden is a garden that is grown without any kinds of chemicals; it is a hobby dealing with all-natural products only. This means that there aren’t any chemicals used to fight bugs or to make the food grow bigger, and that nothing is used in the soil or for fertilizer that is not organic. So while your organic garden may not yield as much produce as if you had used chemicals, it’s not a concern to you because you’re not trying to make a profit off of it. You’re simply enjoying the hobby and the health benefits from having a chemical free organic garden.

In a perfect world, we would be able to trust that all the chemicals and products used in gardens are safe for us to eat and that government oversight of chemicals used would be adequate to protect us. Unfortunately, despite our government’s best efforts to protect us, they simply cannot guarantee that every chemical that they have deemed safe to be used in our food supply will be safe for every single person. Every person is different in this world, and you just never know what type of reaction someone might have to a certain chemical. For this reason, organic gardening will continue to grow in popularity as people want to ensure the safety of their food for themselves and their families.

Copyright © 2007 Better Organic Gardens

Credits: Make Money Online | Matteo Turchetto | Andreas Viklund