heyitsme asked:


I don’t have the money, space, or resources to start a compost pile. I’m starting a garden this spring, and I would like to make it all natural and organic. The weather has started to get nice, and I was wondering if I could start adding food scraps to my soil now? I want to add squash scraps, strawberry tops, etc. Can I just mix them in with the soil? My hope is by the time planting-time comes around, the soil will be filled of vitamins and minerals.

So can I do it without a compost pile?

montana asked:


its for a forum and i cant think of anything. its a organic gardening forum

Candace asked:


I’m really interested in growing organic vegetables and herbs but im not really sure where to start. I don’t want to plant in the ground of my backyard, I’d rather have a large rectangular type holder above ground. The only thing is is that I don’t really know if the potting soil you buy at the store is truly organic. Also, I am unsure of where i can buy quality seeds. Its not practical for me to buy them online. I’m looking to plant a variety of vegetables and herbs.
I live in northcarolina and the soil I have in my backyard is sandy clay loam.
I forgot to mention i have 4 dogs… if that make any difference.

Rocker Dude asked:


Okay, every springtime around this month I get ready to plant veggies in my garden (I grow organics cucumber, cherry tomatoes, bittermellons, red onions amongst other things).
And every year my soil gets all hard and dried out that it forms these little clumps of rocks (which can easily be broken though).
The problem is that I have such a huge garden space FULL of these things and I want to know if there is ANY methods to prepare the soil (getting rid of these clumps of soils) quickly and easily.
Thanks for the help and advice.

Regards,
Another Average Green-Thumber
Oh, I forgot, I’ve been using the same soil for about 2-3years now… Should I replace it?

Return of the Space Cowboy asked:


hi everybody with my qualification could i expect plenty of work over there.
my course coverd a varity of topics listed below.
* Basic Botany
* Plant Classification
* Soil Science
* Plant Nutrition
* Plant Pests, Diseases Problems
* Organic Gardening
* Weeds
* Basic Propagation
* Amenity Horticulture, Plant Groups and Families
* Planting and Plant Care
* Plant Notes and Indigenous Plants
* Exotic Plants
* Indoor Plants
* Lawns
i know Australias eco system varies greatly to that of the uk wich i why i was wondering would there be a call of that type of work.

any help would be obliged muchas gracias folks

Sesquidpedalian asked:


Along with some friends, I am planting an organic garden. We plan for it to be huge. I am trying to find out some good information on the following:

1) Canning (how to, dangers, expense, good links, cheap ideas)

2) Extracting seeds from my plants, to plant them again in years to come. (Also storing ideas, good links, cheap ideas)

3) Drying, I plan on planting tons O beans. I’d like to know the best way to get them so I can store them in a container on my counter. (to make them look like the bags of beans from the store) Again, good weblinks or cheap ideas.

4) If anyone has any other useful hints of food preservation, please let me know.

Any information would be welcome. So all my organic gardening, food preserving knowledge master, hippie friends, send me an answer please!

Thanks!!!
I should mention. We are using an organic heirloom seed company for our garden. So I am not sure if that would make it easier to yeild seeds for replant in the future?

Proud Army Wife! asked:


My 9 year old daughter decided that she is going to be more environmentally friendly. It’s awesome for me because I’m learning beside her. We have planted a huge garden and are trying to keep it as organic as possible. She is wanting to pick up trash out of the woods and plant more trees and plants to help the environment. Recycling is a biggie too. She also would like to be a vegatarian but loves chicken so she’s pretty much just a veggie eater that eats chicken! These are really great things and I’m excited that she has a direction she would like to explore.

We do homeschooling based on what she is interested in then plug in math, reading, etc into that interest. So, I guess my question is……..

Does anyone know of good kid friendly sites that I can help base our studies around? Or any sites that would basically just help me out? We have just started the whole organic gardening/eating different thing and are trying very hard to learn more.
busymom, Please tell your daughter thank you very much. Those sites were perfect. Exactly the kind of info I’m looking for.

Proud Army Wife! asked:


My 9 year old daughter decided that she is going to be more environmentally friendly. It’s awesome for me because I’m learning beside her. We have planted a huge garden and are trying to keep it as organic as possible. She is wanting to pick up trash out of the woods and plant more trees and plants to help the environment. Recycling is a biggie too. She also would like to be a vegatarian but loves chicken so she’s pretty much just a veggie eater that eats chicken! These are really great things and I’m excited that she has a direction she would like to explore.

We do homeschooling based on what she is interested in then plug in math, reading, etc into that interest. So, I guess my question is……..

Does anyone know of good kid friendly sites that I can help base our studies around? Or any sites that would basically just help me out? We have just started the whole organic gardening/eating different thing and are trying very hard to learn more. Global warming, environment, etc
I posted this under homeschooling then realized that maybe I could get more responses if I placed it somewhere else also! Thanks for all your help!

Jolly Roger asked:


I used Jiffy Peat Pellets and my seeds sprouted beautifully. The day before I wanted to plant them in the garden I read that sometimes they contain chemicals to boost performance.

Not good for an organic garden, obviously. How else can I sow seeds without planting them in the ground first?

positivethinking asked:


I’d like to have a vegetable/flower garden in our yard but currently don’t think I want square foot gardening. (I may raise the soil below the plants, however, and will probably not use a traditional layout plan, as I’d like to be a bit more artistic.) We had crabgrass preventer and a weed/fertilizer treatment put on once or twice last year and have generally not used it more than once or twice yearly in previous years. Can our garden ever really be organic if those substances are in the soil?
Including a link to your source of information and/or explaining your expertise/background when answering will be very helpful. Thanks!