Organic Gardening Supplies for Beginners

If you’re a beginning organic gardener, you’ll want to know which supplies you’ll need to invest in to get the most from your garden. Organic gardens aren’t too different from other types of gardens, except that organic gardening supplies such as fertilizers and preventative measures should be chemical and synthetics-free.

Online organic gardening sites contain a plethora of information and all the supplies you’ll need to become an enthusiastic and successful organic gardener. Here are some examples of supplies you might want to look for:

Container gardening. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Soil conditioners – Preparing the soil for organic gardening is the most important task you can do to ensure a beautiful and prolific organic garden. Products such as biostimulants can boost the soil and increase flower, vegetable, herb and fruit production. They’ll also reduce the stress that can harm some plants during planting.

Propagation supplies – These organic gardening supplies are necessary if you plan to start your own seeds. You can find flats, domes, rooting gels and powders, plant labels and other supplies that will make your organic gardening experience a positive one.

Tools and accessories – Gardening tools necessary to any type of garden include soil testing, weed control, pruning tools, stakes, ties and plant supports and soaker hoses. You might already have some of these items on hand.

Container gardening supplies – Many begin their organic gardening adventure by starting out with several “organic” containers for planting. That’s a great way to start if you’re not sure about the process and don’t want to invest a lot of money at first. You can find hydroponic supplies, organic potting mix and more online.

Pest and Disease Control – For organic gardeners, your pest and disease control supplies are especially important to reap a successful garden. Items such as organic insect sprays, repellents, traps and disease control products can help set your mind at ease about your garden being safe from pests.

Composters – True organic gardening requires compost material, and it’s much easier if you have the proper equipment. A compost crock that sits in your kitchen and holds food waste can be purchased online for under $25. Larger, compost tumblers cost more, but if you decide you’re really serious about organic gardening, it’s a clean and convenient way to recycle.

You can find all the organic gardening supplies you’ll need online – from greenhouses and hydroponic growing materials to organic sprays and fertilizers. Your efforts to maintain an organic garden can help create a sustainable environment that will help keep both you and the planet healthy.

For more on organic and sustainable gardening, including supplies and educational resources, visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/sustainablegardening.html.

Improving Your Garden Soil With Seaweed

One of the best soil conditioners you can get for your garden is seaweed. What makes seaweed even better for the garden is the fact that it doesn't need to cost you anything if you are prepared to collect it when it gets washed up on the beach, or alternatively from the surface of the water when boating, if you live near the sea.

Seaweed Mulch. Echoing the old crofting traditions, seaweed is used as a mulch in the garden behind the Tourist Information Office in Lochboisdale. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you don't live near a beach then you can still get the benefits of seaweed in your garden by buying dried seaweed in very affordable packs from many garden centers.

This is the most convenient way to use seaweed on the garden, as it has already been prepared in a state that allows you to spread it evenly throughout the garden. There is the added benefit that the seaweed sold in the stores doesn't smell as much as the seaweed that you would collect from the beach, and it usually has the salt rinsed off already.

Seaweed is also very good as a plant stimulant. It is particularly good for people who are reluctant to use any types of chemicals on the garden, as seaweed is completely safe for the plants, people and also for pets, which makes it ideal for organic gardening.

Many people are unaware that seaweed is also used commercially as it has proven to be a very powerful soil conditioner and in many tests has worked better than some of the manufactured soil conditioners that are commonly sold on the market.

By buying dried seaweed from garden centers you can be assured of the quality and consistency of the product and you can expect results while having the convenience of it being readily available when needed as it will store just fine as long as required. However, if you are concerned about sustainability, of course you will want to collect your own seaweed if if you have access to it.

Seaweed has been used for centuries in gardens around the world and is becoming more popular as people are looking for alternative natural products in preference to chemical-based fertilizer products.