Microbes are a key component in healthy, organic gardens. Among the many ways to increase beneficial microbes in the soil, a quick and effective way to do so is to add an inoculant. What are the different types of inoculants you can use? The most commonly used soil inoculants are mycorrhizal fungi to improve water …
Top 3 Inoculants for Plants: More Than Just Mycorrhizae Read More »
If you have propagated stem cuttings before, you must have wondered if you should let them callus for a week or so before planting them into the soil. And why should you? Letting stem cuttings callus before propagation is a prerequisite for most plant species (especially succulents and perennials) to develop roots. It reduces the …
People often put molasses or sugar in compost teas to water their organic garden. Can sugar be really used as a fertilizer? Sugar feeds the microbes in soil and can be used as a fertilizer to boost the decomposition of organic matter (called the “priming effect”), resulting in the release of more nutrients available …
Weed control in your garden and lawn doesn’t always have to be a nightmare. Tilling can effectively reduce weeds if it is deep enough that goes at least 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25cm) below the surface. That way weed seeds can be turned from the topsoil to a lower layer and can be …
The old saying goes “feed the soil, not the plant”. Microbes are essential for strong, healthy plants. How do we increase soil microbes? To cultivate soil microbes, we can maintain soil moisture by mulching, and growing cover crops. We can feed them with sugar, compost, and add worms. We can introduce more microbes into depleted …
8 Ways to Cultivate Beneficial Microbes (Effectively) Read More »
It’s hard to believe. But, the grass trimmings in the compost bin can actually catch fire spontaneously, and become a fire hazard to your house and neighbors. What can cause a compost pile to self-ignite? Compost piles can self-ignite when the heat generated during decomposition is trapped inside a dry, insulated, and compacted pile with …
7 Conditions When Your Compost Can (Actually) Self-Ignite Read More »
It’s a nightmare to end up with anaerobic compost or soil with little or no oxygen—they are sticky, stinky, slow to decompose, and are not suitable for growing plants. It often happens when compost piles get too wet and saturated with water. It is also found in areas in your garden that are waterlogged, compacted, …
Have you thought of increasing the soil temperature to give a head start to your seeds before spring comes, to protect young seedlings on cold days, or just to protect your garden from frost? You can increase the soil temperature by covering the ground using plastic sheets or mulch, a low tunnel, a cold frame, …
7 Ways to Increase Soil Temperature (Effectively) Read More »
Many people are turning to peat pots and peat pellets as natural alternatives to plastic pots and trays for starting seeds and propagating seedlings. They are designed to reduce root shock during transplant because the seedlings can be buried together with the biodegradable pots directly in the ground. But do peat pots and peat pellets …
Rising environmental concerns are driving many people to look for peat-free Ericaceous compost to grow their acid-loving plants. But, how do you make peat-free ericaceous compost? The best substitute for peat in making ericaceous compost is sulfur or coco coir. Other biodegradable organic materials such as pine needles, pine bark, oak leaves, coffee grounds, vinegar, …
2 Simple Ways To Make Ericaceous Compost (Peat-Free) Read More »
