10 Places to Buy Organic Seeds

More seed companies are offering organic seeds, and supporting these companies is a good way to show that we want more organics in the marketplace. Besides the fact that purchasing organic seeds allows us to "vote with our wallet," it also ensures that our gardens are 100% organic. Some of us may be more interested in that idea than others, and that's fine. Whether you're fanatical about your garden being purely organic or not, it's always a good idea to support companies that decide to grow organically.

1. Seed Savers Exchange

If you're looking for a wide variety of heirloom seeds, many of which are organic, the Seed Savers Exchange is a great place to start. They publish a general catalog, which anyone can order from, but if you become a member, you will get access to the members' yearbook and directory, and have access to literally hundreds more varieties. Great for those gardeners who are always on the lookout for something unique to grow in their garden.

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2. High Mowing Organic Seeds

The High Mowing seed company sells nothing but 100% certified organic seed. The catalog consists mostly of vegetable seeds (including a very nice selection of specialty greens) but there are also some flowers, cover crops, and gardening supplies available.

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3. Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply

The Peaceful Valley catalog is interesting in that not only do they offer their own line of organic seeds, but the seeds of other seed companies as well. There is a good mix of edible and ornamental varieties here, as well as books and gardening supplies.

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4. Johnny's Selected Seeds

Johnny's offers conventional seed and organic seed, so you do have to double-check to make sure the seed you are purchasing is an organic item. This year's catalog offers over 300 organic products, which are easily identified in their catalog by a large, red "OG" symbol. While Johnny's is not the least expensive source for seeds, they do offer quality seeds and provide excellent customer service.

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5. Burpee

The Burpee catalog is a mainstay in the gardening world. The full-color photos are always useful, and the prices are decent (though they seem higher this year). While they don't offer a huge selection of organic seed, Burpee does carry a few basic organic vegetable and herb varieties. It's easy to figure out which items are organic; Burpee publishes a list in the catalog of all of the organic varieties.

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6. Territorial Seed

Territorial seems to be carrying a wider selection of organic (and biodynamic) seed each year. They offer a good selection of organic vegetable seeds, especially greens, tomatoes, and lettuces.

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7. Main Street Seed and Supply

Main Street is a small company, with its catalog available to download from its web site. They don't offer a huge selection of organic seeds, but they do offer some of the basics to get you started. The real appeal to Main Street is that they provide organic seed at prices that are very, very reasonable. They specialize in offering small amounts of seed (with the home gardener in mind) for reasonable prices.

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8. Botanical Interests

Most garden centers carry Botanical Interests seeds. They are probably the prettiest seed packets on the market today, with botanical drawings instead of photographs on the front and tons of care information on the back and inside of the packet. Botanical Interests offers a decent variety of organic flower, vegetable, and herb seeds. The prices are quite reasonable (especially for organic seed) with most packets costing less than two dollars.

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9. Natural Gardening Company

Natural Gardening is another company that does all of its business on the web. You can browse their catalog online, where they offer a decent variety of organically grown and open-pollinated vegetables and herbs. The organic items are clearly marked as such, and the prices are reasonable.

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10. Dirt Works

Dirt Works is a small Vermont company offering organic farm and garden supplies. They offer a nice selection of organic, non-GMO vegetable seeds. The prices are not the lowest I've seen, but you are supporting a small, family-owned business. The website is full of information of interest to both organic gardeners and small farmers.

More Info   http://organicgardening.about.com/od/startinganorganicgarden/tp/organicseed.htm

How to Use Coffee Grounds in Your Garden

If you make a daily pot of coffee, you have a fabulous source or organic matter right at your fingertips. In compost jargon, coffee grounds are a "green," meaning an item that is rich in nitrogen (yes, I know coffee grounds are brown. In your compost, they're green. Trust me.) Coffee grounds are approximately 1.45% nitrogen. They also contain magnesium, calcium, potassium, and other trace minerals.
There are several ways you can put used coffee grounds to work in your garden:

• Put coffee grounds in your compost bin. As noted above, they are a valuable source of nitrogen.
• Add grounds directly to the soil in your garden. You can scratch it into the top couple inches of soil, or just sprinkle the grounds on top and leave it alone.
• Create a slug and snail barrier. Coffee grounds are both abrasive and acidic, so a barrier of grounds placed near slug-prone plants may just save them from these garden pests.
• Make coffee ground "tea." Add two cups of used coffee grounds to a five-gallon bucket of water. Let the "tea" steep for a few hours or overnight. You can use this concoction as a liquid fertilizer for garden and container plants. It also makes a great foliar feed.
• Add coffee grounds to your worm bin. Worms love coffee grounds! Add some to your worm bin every week or so. Just don't add too many at once, because the acidity could bother your worms. A cup or so of grounds per week for a small worm bin is perfect.  http://organicgardening.about.com/od/soil/qt/coffeegrounds.htm

Make Your Own Compost Bin, Compost Bin Designs, and Building a Compost Bin

Make your own compost bin in your backyard. Compost bin plans and designs for turning yard debris and kitchen scraps into homemade fertilizer!

Design Your Own Vegetable Garden Layout Using our Free "Vegetable Garden Planner" Software!

Turn some of your kitchen scraps and yard debris turns to gold for the garden. Make your own compost bin and turn yesterday's trash into tomorrow's vegetable gardening delights. Building a compost bin in your backyard is an easy way to contain decomposing organic matter which can help transform less than fertile soil into a virtual oasis. Although, there are many types of composting bins, our main focus will be using easy plans to make your own compost bin.

Compost Bin Plans and Ideas

Basic Wire Compost Bin Design

Wire compost bin designs do not produce compost as rapidly as solid walled design but it is a quick and inexpensive way to get the natural process started. The instructions below will help you make your own compost bin that contains nearly a cubic yard of material.


The following directions are for a bin around 4 feet high and 3 foot in diameter. A gardening space of about 8x4 feet is required to house this basic compost bin. This will allow ample room for raking and compost removal.

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Necessary materials for assembly:

Chicken wire (about 12')

Four metal or wooden posts

Work gloves

Eye protection

Pliers

Tin snips

Sledge hammer

* If you need several bins made, it is cheaper to purchase a roll of wire.

Optional Wooden Posts

Posts provide stability for the bin but make it difficult to move. Before you make your own compost bin decide if want it movable or stabilized in one specific location. A wire bin made without posts will be easier to lift, move, and provide easy access to the bottom of the heap which decomposes faster.

Fold the ends of the wire back to provide a smooth edge.

Shape the wire into a round or a barrel-like form.

Cut wire in six-inch lengths to securely tie the compost bin in a circular formation.

Fasten the ends of the wire with the ties.

Place posts tightly against the inside of the wire bin.

Hammer support posts into the ground.

Maintaining your Wire Compost Bin

A wire compost bin allows good air circulation for decomposition. Pile your raked leaves, kitchen scraps, and lawn clippings into the compost bin. Layer "green" vegetable waste and grass trimmings with dried materials such as fallen leaves or wood chips.



After six months to a year, your compost will be ready for the vegetable garden. Cut the wire fasteners to gain access to the compost. Remove the finished product with a spading fork. To re-make your own compost bin simply re-fasten the wire!

Vegetable Gardening Tip when Making a Wire Compost Bin:

Bear in mind when you make your own compost bin that galvanized wire will last longer than the non-galvanized type

.

Wood Compost Bin

If you need larger stationary bins, make a compost bin using lumber. When choosing the wood, be certain it is not pressure-treated. You do not want the metals used to treat the wood leaching into your compost.

Composting is a beneficial solution in both improving your vegetable garden and reducing household waste. Although there are ready made bins available, making your own compost bin is the cheapest way to go for the handy do-it-yourselfer!

Make A Concrete Block Compost Bin

For more information on building a wood or concrete block compost bin, please click here.




Keep the waste material moist for the decomposing process to continue. Plan on watering your compost bin at least once a week Water the top of the heap to adequately dampen several inches down. The outer portion of the cylinder insulates the inner part to help retain moisture.



These compost bin plans and ideas can help you create a simple and easy compost solution in your backyard!

Making a Compost Pile, Make Your Own Compost, Starting a Compost Pile

Easy plans for making a compost pile in your backyard. Recycle kitchen scraps and lawn debris to create your own rich organic compost that makes perfect fertilizer for your yard and vegetable garden.
Amending the soil by making a compost pile both renews the ground and recycles natural resources. The best vegetable gardening course is to have your garden soil tested each year. Depending on the test results, follow the recommendations given to amend the soil.
Knowing what nutrients are needed beforehand helps cut down on a number of cultivation tasks in a gardener's recycling plan.

Design Your Own Vegetable Garden Layout Using our Free "Vegetable Garden Planner" Software!

Making a compost pile is an ideal vegetable gardening technique to reuse the majority of your kitchen and garden waste and recycle it back into your garden. Composting is fundamentally a method used to speed up the decomposition process.
Besides benefiting your garden beds, the mixture can be used in potting soil to start seeds indoors. You can also use the decayed matter as mulching materials to protect the roots of vegetable plants during dry, hot summers. Your finished product is sure to be a success by following the basic steps below.

Starting a Compost Pile

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Start making a compost pile using either a one to two foot pile of leaves or 6 to 12 inches or more of compact material such as sawdust or grass clippings. You can compost materials such as nutshells, tree trimmings, hulls, hay, and straw.



Shredding the organic material first helps speed up the decomposing process considerably.
Microorganisms go to work the fastest on smaller items of organic materials.
Use any kitchen fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds, tea leaves, or garden wastes.
Avoid using diseased plant waste, materials that have been treated with herbicides or pesticides, and meat or dairy scraps.

Compost Bin Design Suggestions

A compost pile does not have to be elaborate to work efficiently. A simple designed bin made with concrete blocks, fencing material, or lumber may be used. Stored out of the way but within a close reach of the gardening site, the bin could be any shape you desire. It should measure approximately 4 x 4 feet.

Make Your Own Compost

Spread a layer of fertilizer such as manure over the initial heap you have started. The nitrogen in the fertilizer helps activate the microorganisms, which speeds up the decaying process.
After adding about a half cup of ground limestone, add a few shovelfuls of soil to provide starter microorganism colonies. (You can't see them but they are there!)


Next, make sure the pile is watered well.
Microorganisms work the most efficient in slightly alkaline, moist environments.
As it becomes available, keep piling waste on top of the pile.
When the layers thicken and become compact, repeat the previous layering steps of organics, soil, fertilizer, and watering.

Using a pitchfork, turn and mix the compost pile to provide air circulation for the microorganisms, about once every couple of weeks. This action also ensures that not only the center but all the parts of the pile will be heated.
Microorganisms are most active when soil temperatures are above 60 degrees F. As the temperature in the pile rises, plant diseases and weed seed are destroyed.

Making a Compost Pile--Pile it On!

After making the compost pile and it has had time to age from six months to a year, blend the compost into the garden soil to a foot deep.
As additional organic materials are added, the more the garden soil's texture improves. Make sure the compost is evenly distributed to the entire vegetable gardening area.
When compost is introduced to the soil, it absorbs some nitrogen from the soil. To make amends for this, add two handfuls of 10-10-10 fertilizer for each bushel of compost used. Work the fertilizer thoroughly into the garden.    http://www.vegetable-gardening-online.com/making-a-compost-pile.html

Compost Bin Plans, DIY Compost Bin, Easy Compost Bin Designs

The following free compost bin plans to build at home, are geared to an average do-it-yourself vegetable gardener. You may use recycled materials when applicable to hold down costs. Safe tool use is encouraged by wearing safety glasses and gloves for added protection when putting the plans into place. These easy compost bin designs can be built is a weekend project.

Design Your Own Vegetable Garden Layout Using our Free "Vegetable Garden Planner" Software!

Single Sided Wood DIY Compost Bin

A one compartment compost bin is sufficient to confine composting materials. Turning the heap and removing the finished product for supplying the vegetable garden is accessed through the loosened front boards. This design should be situated on a level piece of ground.

1 4'-9" 2x2s

Six 3'-6" 2x2s posts

24 4' 1x6s

96 1-1/2" No. 10 galvanized wood screws

4- 2-1/2" No. 10 galvanized wood screws

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Compost Bin Plans : Necessary Tools

Hammer

Hatchet

Power drill

1/8 inch twist bit

Compost Bin Plans : Step 1

Use the hatchet to shave down the ends of the six 2x2 posts to a point. At the compost bin location site, pound in the four corner posts into the ground to a depth of six inches. The posts should be spaced apart 4 feet from front to back and 3 feet 10-1/2" from side to side. Hammer in the remaining two posts to the identical soil depth. Allow a one inch gap between the posts for the front boards.

Compost Bin Plans : Step 2

Starting at the bottom, attach 6 1x6 boards to the side posts on each side, allowing a ½ inch gap. Pre-drill pilot holes to use a couple of 1-1/2" screws for each board. A ½ inch gap between the boards allows for proper air circulation. After attaching the side boards, screw six 1x6 planks to the back of the compost bin using a couple of 1 and a half inch screws on each post. The remaining 1x6 boards should be loosely fitted into the formed slots of the front posts.

Compost Bin Plans : Step 3

From the leftover 2x2, cut two 3" pieces. Attach each end of the pieces with a couple of 2-1/2"screws. Pilot drill the screw holes first with a 1/8" drill bit to prevent the wood from splitting. Fit the completed cross bar across the top of the unit at the front.

Compost Bin Plans : Mobile Wire & Wood Easy Compost Bin Design

A mobile bin serves to contain a compost heap in a temporary location. When the time comes for the pile to be turned or finished compost to be removed, the container is taken apart and reset in a different garden spot. Fork the partially decomposed material from atop the old heap over into the emptied bin, which leaves the aged compost free at the bottom for use in the vegetable garden.


Mobile bins can be constructed out of old wood pallets tied together or a roll of fencing or wire. Hardware cloth was used for this illustration stretched over four wood lap jointed frames.

Materials List

12' 36" wide, ½ " hardware cloth

Four 12' 2x4s

100- ½ " No. 8 galvanized screws

Four hook and eye gate latches

Four 3" galvanized door hinges & screws

carpenter's glue

Tin snips

Table saw

Power drill

1/8 inch drill bit

Power staple gun

C/W staples

Step 1

Cut a total of 16 pieces by cutting each 12' 2x4 into four 3' long pieces.

Step 2

Cut three ½ "wide x ¾ " lap cuts at the ends of the 16 wood pieces. Be certain that the cuts are made from the identical side of each plank. Set the power saw blade to ¾" depth. Make multiple passes until the end material has been removed.

Step 3

Using the 16 boards, make four 3' square lap jointed frames. Pilot drill holes with drill bit initially to prevent the board ends from splitting. Use carpenter's wood glue and wood screws to join each lap joint.

Step 4

Use tin snips to cut the hardware cloth into four 3' square sections. Bend the edges back an inch for additional reinforcement. Center each cloth section section onto a frame. Staple hardware cloth every 4". Ensure the cloth is fastened tight enough to prevent sagging when the compost bin is filled.

Step 5

Connect each pair of wood frames with two hinges. Attach hook and eye latches on the outside of each connected frame. In the end, the L shaped sections should be latched together.

Wire, Cinder Block, and Barrel Compost Bin Designs

It is also easy to make a wire compost bin that is movable, or to convert a 50 gallon barrel into a compost bin. Cinder block compost bins are also a simple and practical way to go as    http://www.vegetable-gardening-online.com/compost-bin-plans.html

Organic Vegetable Gardening, Planning an Organic Garden, How to Organic Garden

Easy tips for organic vegetable gardening at home. Learn how to plant and care for an organic garden on your patio, or in your backyard.

Design Your Own Vegetable Garden Layout Using our Free "Vegetable Garden Planner" Software!

Organic vegetable gardening is considered an art-form by many horticulturalists. Other gardeners "just do it" organically without really becoming fanatics.

What is Organic Gardening?

Organic gardening is defined basically as the culture and growing of garden variety plants without resorting to chemical additives.
Organic gardening has made a big comeback in the last decade due to concerns about the health risks of processed foods and synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.
In short, there’s really no substitute for the old-school way of doing things.
But to describe it more simply, organic gardening doesn’t depend on various chemicals to help the plants grow. It is basically the opposite of high-tech agriculture.

It is quite simple to plan and grow an organic vegetable garden at home.

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Planning an Organic Garden

The first thing you need to do to prepare your organic vegetable garden is to choose a location where plenty of sunlight is available.
Also, make sure that the location you choose has well-drained soil, and is free of nearby tree roots which will compete with your garden plants for water.
When it comes to gardening, especially organic vegetable gardening, prepare planting beds by measuring the size and length of your area available for gardening use. 30 to 48 inch-wide garden beds are convenient enough for you to be able to reach the middle area. In short, plan and measure first so that everything else can fall into place naturally.

How to Design an Organic Garden

Click Here for 4X20 Sample Vegetable Garden Plan


When you’ve finished measuring your area, you may want to build a frame for your bed. Building a raised bed garden with a frame is helpful, as it improves drainage, as well as raising the level of the garden bed for your working convenience.
The ideal raised bed frame frame is approximately 10-12 inches high.
The raised bed garden frame can be made of wood, bricks, or stone and should be sturdy enough to stay in place once it is filled with soil. (Do not use pressure treated wood for the frame however, as the chemicals can leach into the soil in which your vegetables are growing.)

Organic Vegetable Gardening

You need to work compost, leaf mulch, or humus into the beds before you begin your organic vegetable gardening endeavor.

Also, you will want to plant the kind of vegetables you most enjoy eating!

Check with your local garden center for the varieties of vegetables that will grow well in your area, and the proper planting times.

You will need to wait to plant your garden until the danger of frost is past, as most vegetable plants do not tolerate freezing temperatures.

Be sure that you have a source of water conveniently located near your garden area. This will save a lot of time and frustration later!

Planting Tips for Organic Gardening...

Download zone chart here!


During spring, when the snows have melted from the soil, you can plant spinach, broccoli and peas because they tend to prosper during the cool seasons.
In some areas they can be planted in the fall, if the winter is not harsh in your area.
When planting corn, peppers, tomatoes and squash, plant them only after the soil is free of frost and has warmed to 50 degrees or warmer.
Organic gardens are grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides or other chemical agents.
Plant marigolds on the edge of your garden to discourage some types of insect pests.
You can also purchase insects such as ladybugs that are beneficial to your plants to ensure a symbiosis that lasts forever.

Watering and Weeding Tips for Organic Gardening...

You will want to water the plants according to their individual needs.

Some plants such as cucumbers, require more water than others.

Young plants with shallow root systems require more frequent watering in warm weather, than older established plants with deeper roots.

Established plants will benefit from less frequent but deeper watering.

It’s a fact that vigorously healthy plants tend to discourage pests.

Try to catch weeds while they are very small, as they are so much easier to eliminate at that time.

Larger weeds will compete with your vegetable plants for water and soil nutrients, so they need to be eliminated promptly!

Rotate your crops every season to avoid any diseases that live in the soil, and therefore insure yourself a satisfying gardening experience.

Organic vegetable gardening is very fulfilling in many ways. It is a good way to connect with nature, and reduce the level of stress in your life. You will also have the fresh delicious produce which you will enjoy with every bite!     http://www.vegetable-gardening-online.com/organic-vegetable-gardening.html