Tips for Organic Gardening

Instead of opting for chemical formulations, you can use plants to meet your gardening needs. Here are a few tips for feeding your plants and warding off unwelcome insects.

Feeding – Soil needs three vital nutrients for healthy plant growth:

• Nitrogen promotes stem and leaf development,
• Phosphorous boosts root development, and
• Potassium encourages the growth of fruit and flowers.

You can boost your soil with all three these nutrients by making your own compost containing the following:

• Natural sources of nitrogen: feathers, comfrey, dandelions, nettles and yarrow
• Natural sources of phosphorous: comfrey, horse manure, yarrow
• Natural sources of potassium: wood ash (from untreated wood), comfrey, horse manure, nettles and yarrow.

Insect-repelling pot plants for your patio:

• Basil repels flies and mosquitoes,
• Mint repels ants,
• Thyme repels flies and aphids,
• Bay leaf is a general insect repellent,
• Catnip repels ants and beetles, and
• Chamomile repels most flying insects.