Organic Parade

Organic gardening is growing without chemical fertilizers, naturally building the soil to support healthy plant life. Organic gardening is a constantly evolving dance that grants you to be a full participant in your garden. It is not a fad or new in any way. In fact, it is the oldest method of cultivation and had its first serious beginnings in Europe. It’s good for your family, and it’s less costly to do. Organic gardening is really about designing the garden as a complete ecosystem, a natural environment where the gardener is a participant, not an observer.

The key to organic gardening is to work with nature in the growing of plants so that the resources consumed by the garden can be replenished both minimally and consistently. Even though organic gardening does require a few changes in the way things are done from traditional gardening, you will swiftly discover organic gardening is easy and fun. Reduced pollution of the environment through recycling of garden, household and other wastes rather than dumping or burning them is seen as a beneficial by product.

One of the basic tenant of organic gardening is to “Feed the soil and the soil will feed the plants”. This involves the mysterious world of compost making. Organic compost is a great soil conditioner, is nutrient rich and will give your plants, crops and flowers all they need to prosper. Organic matter (decayed plant material) is an essential ingredient in fertile soils, improving the soil tilth while preventing soil compaction and crusting. Adding organic matter improves any soil’s texture as well as attracting soil organisms that create nutrients in the soil.

Sadly, many people still view organic gardening as a niche or trend, not realizing the incredible benefits gained. Organic gardening benefits not only you and your family, but your land, animals and the earth. Benefits to our children and pets, which are often accidentally exposed to pesticides sprayed on people’s lawns and gardens. Benefits to wildlife if pesticide residue is kept out of our waterways and land. Benefits to the world (a current study has shown that global warming IS happening, and it IS caused by humans) by keeping pesticides, herbicides and fungicides out of our air and soil.

Remember that organic gardening is much more than preparing soil, using mulch, avoiding synthetic disease and pest controls, and planting your plants. When the children discover how much fun organic gardening is, they’ll look forward to making this a normal part of life when they grow up.

Whenever i go visit my uncle, i have to walk through his garden which is lined with bonsai before i actually reach his house. He loves his bonsai plants very much and would spend long hours tending to them like they are his children. He told me that they require special care. he has a small area where he keeps all his gardening tools. I asked him why they can have such beautiful shapes and if they are naturally like that and he said no. They require special techniques.

Geee, i’ve never thought that simple seeds, plants, and trees can be so amazing. They really come alive and transform your garden into a living, breathing work of art. He has so many different types of soil, pots and stands in his garden. Seeing his beautiful bonsai garden make me want to learn the art of growing them myself. My uncle told me to visit bonsaigardener.org which is geared towards the beginning to novice bonsai enthusiast. There are over 200 articles about the hobby, including a free bonsai email course. That’s good!!!

He told me to get their book, Bonsai Gardening Secrets, which is downloadable from the site. Of cos, i will. That’s the best way to learn. It’s a Step by Step, A to Z guide to creating your very own Bonsai Trees. And that’s even if you’re new at it and you’re not exactly a “green thumb”. Being a novice, it’s important that i learn every single step…from the types of trees & plants that are suitable for Bonsai, to the over dozen different styles and techniques!

A friend introduced me to the art of soap making. Here’s the instructions she gave me. I havent tried it out yet. Maybe someone would like to make this during the weekend?

Coffee and Cream Soap

Ingredients:

1 4oz bar of unscented glycerin soap
1tsp ground espresso
1 tsp powdered milk
10 drops of coffee scented oil

Method:

In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the glycerin soap until liquefied. Remove from heat and stir in ground espresso, powdered milk and coffee scented oil. Pour the liquid into mould or let it set for three hours until hard.