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?

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!

goddess4peace asked:


I live in Houston, and I just want to make sure my soil is organic and not toxic before I start growing food next Spring.
Anne- what exactly is a universtiy extesnion program? Do I need to contact the local universities?
Thanks everyone- you all gave me great pointers. I really just needed to be pointed in the right direction (never heard of an extension agency- so I never would have known where to look!:)

Deborah asked:


I am told that nitrogen is bad for roses. Is this true? I would like to know what is the best feed for roses (either made-up chemicals or organic matter). And what substances in the garden are likely to have a high nitrogen content? I am asking this last question so that I can avoid using those substances on roses, if nitrogen is really harmful to them. THANKS! I hope you have LOTS of lovely roses this year in your gardens….

zach asked:


I am looking to raise some animals for meat such as chickens, fish and maybe rabbits. Is it possible to compost the meat an organic and relatively cheap way? As in put it back into the dirt without causing harm to plants as I’d use it in a home garden.

asolare123 asked:


Hi everyone. I’m looking to control a grub issue in my lawn, vegetable, and flower gardens. I prefer to use organic means which leads me to milky spore. Does anyone have any experience with any online suppliers of the stuff? I have about 1500 square feet total that needs to be treated. Also, what is the best time to put milky spore down? Thanks in advance.

Tequila Sunrise Bloodshot Eyes asked:


Im growing a small little garden this year. its up in the forest, so i dug up all the soil and got rid of it, because there were huge boulders everywhere and the soil was just generally not fertile and to acidy. So what i did was dig up a lot of the dark top soil i could find around the forest, and crushed it up and it looks to have a lot of decaying material in it. I also added 3 bags of scott’s premium organic compost with manure added, and i plan to add a couple more bags. there is also a big bag of peat moss in there too to hold moisture, and some ashes because peatmoss is kinda acidy. I also added grass clippings and worked it into the soil, and a couple handfuls of bone meal.. i plan on getting some worm castings as well, since they are like gold to plants…

im planting my plants into the soil this weekend and they need to be high in nitrogen until auguest when they start flowering, then i will start with a organic liquid fertilizer rich in phosphorus… but until then, is my soil rich enough so i dont have to add any fertilizers? and i will ONLY use organic solutions because these are plants i will be ingesting..

Amanda asked:


I am living in a house with a yard for the first time since I was 8 and want to know what is a good book on organic vegetable gardens for complete beginners?