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Garden Gate:  Organic or not organic, that is the question...  |
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
 Posted - May 12 2005 : 4:01:49 PM
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Here's a good editorial from House and Garden... regarding Miracle-Gro and other chemical fertilizers....good food for thought, too.
8/21/05 the link was no longer viable, so I removed it. It basically said that miracle grow is a chemical fertilizer and if growing vegetables organically, should not be used.
****Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural****
"Begin to weave and God will give the thread." - German Proverb |
Edited by - Clare on Aug 21 2005 7:01:19 PM |
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MeadowLark
True Blue Farmgirl
2206 Posts
USA
2206 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2005 : 4:07:29 PM
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Wow, Thanks Clare! When you read any label on fertilizers and potting mixes and it says to write to them for a complete list of ingredients...Be AFRAID, BE VERY AFRAID! All those heavy metals, YIKES!!!!
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2005 : 4:15:43 PM
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My grandfather told me a LONG time ago, " If the fertilizer you are using on your edible plants doesn't come from animal, fish or bird don't eat the crop." That guy was right about alot of things! He also lived to be 87 and worked in his greenhouses and gardens up until he died with very few health problems. Must have been something NOT in the water!
with a happy heart |
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cecelia
True Blue Farmgirl
497 Posts
cecelia
new york
USA
497 Posts |
Posted - May 13 2005 : 7:55:35 PM
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I try hard not to use any fertilizers, chemicals, etc. on my (small) garden. Basically, I figure if I can't put it in my mouth before putting it in the garden, I don't put it on any plants I want to eat! Compost is it for me - and I'm careful what I put in the compost pile.
A former boyfriend kept a compost pile, and told me he had tried to make some sourdough bread starter; it didn't "take" so he put it in the compost pile, and later saw that it "took" in the compost! Looked like a giant mushroom had taken growth in his yard. Funniest thing I ever saw.
Cecelia
ce's farm
"Curiosity is one of the forms of feminine bravery" Victor Hugo |
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Eileen
True Blue Farmgirl
1199 Posts
Eileen
USA
1199 Posts |
Posted - May 14 2005 : 08:45:29 AM
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The sourdough in the compost reminded me of my experience with the sourdough in the compost. I had a starter that got left in the trailer refridgerator for several months without any power to it so when I opened the fridg it smelled of very strong whiskey. I was not sure of the safety of using this starter anymore so reluctantly dug a hole in the center of the compost heap and buried it. The next day it had grown also and was bulging out of the heap. I was alerted to this by my pomeranian who was busily digging and barking at it. I covered it up again and later found the dog in it again eating it this time. I got a little worried about him later and called the vet because he was laying around moaning, belching and breaking wind. Poor little guy. The vet told me to give him tums. He was miserable for 24 hours but went right back to it the next day. I had to cover it with a wire he could not dig through. I guess it still tasted good.
Eileen
songbird; singing joy to the earth |
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MeadowLark
True Blue Farmgirl
2206 Posts
USA
2206 Posts |
Posted - May 14 2005 : 10:16:07 AM
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Coming to a theatre near you! ATTACK OF THE COMPOST SOURDOUGH!!! 
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. |
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sleepless reader
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
CA
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - May 14 2005 : 6:13:03 PM
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Poor pup! Wonder what happened to the worms??????
Sharon |
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Kim
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
Kim
Pflugerville
Texas
USA
146 Posts |
Posted - May 15 2005 : 09:00:45 AM
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Poor puppy. I can just imagine the poor little thing lying on the floor, not quite sure what is happening to him
farmgirl@heart
Be at peace with yourself and the rest will follow |
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MeadowLark
True Blue Farmgirl
2206 Posts
USA
2206 Posts |
Posted - May 15 2005 : 09:32:30 AM
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That would have been scarey for the little dog,especially his small size could not have handled all that dough. I had a kitten eat some moldy bread last fall and she got so sick I thought she was going to die.
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - May 15 2005 : 09:58:00 AM
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Your pet stories reminded me of one. One Thanksgiving afternoon, I let my dog out, and she never came back to the door to be let in. When I went looking for her, I found her down the road eating a greasy turkey carcass! She had cleaned those bones and was working on eating them. She couldn't walk back to the house (I carried her and she was having trouble breathing) and she spent the whole night on the bathroom tile floor moaning. I slept beside her because I was really afraid something would burst and she would die on me. All vet's offices were closed. That was so scary, but she was always a little piglet and would eat until she dropped if you let her.
jpbluesky
O, cease to heed the glamour that blinds your foolish eyes,
Look upward to the glitter of stars in God's clear skies.
from God's Garden by Robert Frost |
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - May 15 2005 : 10:29:05 AM
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I never used miracle grow but my husband is always trying to put this plant food for roses on my rose bush & mini roses in the house. I read the label and cant pronounce most of it so I tell him kno I dont plant any herbs or veggies in my yard, I have a septic thats always giving me problems. I plant them in containers. My flowers florish!!!!! Im tryin to concetrate on all natural & organic for growing all my herbs and veggies. Anyone know any indformative web-sites?
Michele
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov. 31:13
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MeadowLark
True Blue Farmgirl
2206 Posts
USA
2206 Posts |
Posted - May 15 2005 : 10:39:52 AM
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Michele, Try this site, I have found it to be helpful!
www.organicgardening.com
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. |
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MeadowLark
True Blue Farmgirl
2206 Posts
USA
2206 Posts |
Posted - May 31 2005 : 3:34:51 PM
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Lorij, Have you ever tried fish emulsion on your roses? I feed mine once a month during heavy blooming and they love it...the smell I can do without while mixing but it soon dissapates once it soaks in the soil.
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - May 31 2005 : 4:34:32 PM
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Meadowlark and LoriJ-- I use fish emulsion for many plantings. I mix it in an old camping water jug and then parcel it out into my watering can when I need it and can make the strength to suit the plants. The smell is bad but goes away quickly thank goodness!
After many years in the field, I have come to the conclusion that the landscape industry is the worst abuser of chemicals imaginable. I was required to get my pesticide applicators license in order to graduate, but never had any intention of using it. I did an internshio at an arboretum where they insisted that I apply Cygon to the roses and I knew that the conditions were not appropriate for application.I refused and was given every cruddy job in the place after that.The individual that did apply the spray that day in 100 degree heat ended up in the emergency room with chemical toxicity and possible long term health concerns.I have also not been hired for a job where I would not allow the "firm" to use my applicator's license for their purposes. I never did renew it and never will. Am I organic? You betcha!
Michelle-- www.farm-garden.com is also a great site with a forum for Q&A. Check it out , they are very friendly and helpful.
with a happy heart |
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
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BamaSuzy
True Blue Farmgirl
138 Posts
Alabama
USA
138 Posts |
Posted - May 31 2005 : 9:47:23 PM
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Our primary "fertilizer" is composted bunny poop....my Angora's give us a ready supply of it! (and it's 100% organic!)
You can bury a lot of troubles digging in the dirt! |
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countrykat
True Blue Farmgirl
85 Posts
kathy
paola
kansas
USA
85 Posts |
Posted - May 31 2005 : 10:52:41 PM
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| I have never used fish emulsion but I do dump the water that I take out of my 30 gallon fish tank into the garden. About once a week I take out 5 gallons of water and dole it out to my flowers and some veggies. It is a wonderful use of this highly fertilized water. My goldfish eat peas too so I know what they are eating is good for the garden. It's the circle of life! |
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Eileen
True Blue Farmgirl
1199 Posts
Eileen
USA
1199 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2005 : 09:31:55 AM
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I feed my roses seaweed extract once a month. Also worm compost in the spring and worm tea throughout the summer. It is a highly effective fungus destroyer. No mold or fungal infections. Do not seem to get black spot either. That is a real problem around here with the humidity and wet summers we usually have.
We have a local organic farmer here who also sells what he calls magical dirt. It is a mix of his pasture grasses mulched with his livestock manuer and peat from his bog with sand from his hill side. It is wonderful stuff! Black, rich and full of worms. I use this every spring on everything.
Eileen
songbird; singing joy to the earth |
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
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Garden Gate: Organic or not organic, that is the question... |
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Organic or not organic, that is the question...
