Organic movement grows in Ozone Park
CSA Ozone Park is working to bring organic, locally grown produce to consumers in south Queens. By now, Americans have become so familiar with terms like“genetically modified foods” and “frankenfoods” that, for some, a trip to the grocery store is about as pleasurable as warfare. Super Tomato Maker Amazing Tomato Fertilizer
I bought this house 2 1/2 years ago and I am going into my 3rd season with the lawn.
I have lot’s of clay dirt and that’s a battle on it’s own.
I have used Scots steps each year and it’s improved a great deal, I also used some liquid fertilizers during the summer months for roots and color, strength etc.
I am working on patching bare spots…most of them are 12inX12in. I usually dig out 1/2 to 1 inch of the clay and put in a mixture of top organic top soil moisture with a good Quality seed (Scott’s premium mix) and starter fertilizer.
I make sure the entire lawn (1 arce) is well watered through the dry months…. so I have that covered!
The problem:
It looks spotty in places, different colors and it’s not uniform, there are large patches that are great, healthy, thick, green grass like a golf course but in some areas for no apparent reason look discolored and weak.
why is that…and is there anything that can be
The reason you have spotty grass is because of the clay. You can spread seed all you want, but after the first year, the grass will start to fail because clay doesn’t allow the nutrients to get to the roots. The best thing to do, and least expensive compared to removing all your soil and hauling in new; is to rent a plug aerator, and topdress with gypsum and topsoil. The gypsum will help break up the clay, and the topsoil gives the grass something to root into. You will have to do this for at least 3 years.
GroPro Organics; Organic Lawn Care DIY Organic lawn care
We all need a bit of a “pick-me-up” from time to time and your vegetables, herbs, fruits and soil will also benefit from a boost of liquid tonic every now and then. It’s not a good idea to force your plants to feed when they drink, so I don’t recommend regular weekly feeding, but just as a boost.
We all want the best results from our efforts in the garden. Giving your veggies a liquid boost can provide them with nutrients and trace elements that are not always available to them.
Making your own liquid fertilizer is a simple task that can be done in just a few minutes. Then it’s just a matter of waiting for it to mature, which can take up to a month.
The basic equipment you need is a large plastic container with a tightly fitting lid. The container must never have been used for toxic chemicals.
Make different brews, depending on what you’re wanting to accomplish. When it has matured, dilute to a pale yellow colour, otherwise it may be too strong. Then use as you need it.
Weeds
Often if you have a particular weed problem in your garden, it is there to help restore the balance of nutrients in the soil. If you make a liquid manure from that particular weed and use it as a foliar spray, it will often reduce the recurrence of that weed.
Also, deep-rooted weeds such as dandelion, dock, yarrow, burnet and wire-weed bring nutrients to the surface that have leached down into the sub-soil.
Nettle ‘Tea’
A brew made from stinging nettles (Urtica) will encourage growth in spring. Use gloves when pulling up the nettles. You need to fill your container with nettles and completely cover with water. Allow the mix to ferment until the nettles have completely broken down.
Fish
Place fish scraps in your container and just cover with water. Make sure you have a tight fitting lid to prevent flies getting to it (and the smell from getting to you). Let it ferment for about a month. It should be mostly decomposed by then. This brew is a rich source of trace elements, so you need to use it very diluted.
Comfrey
If you want to give your fruiting plants, such as pumpkins and tomatoes a boost, try a liquid manure made from comfrey as it is very high in potash. It will break down quickly and with very little solid residue as its leaves contain a high amount of water.
Compost
If you need a fungal preventative, make a tea from compost. The compost must have some animal manure included for this to work. Put some compost in a hessian bag and soak in water for a few days. You’ll need to dilute it to the colour of weak tea, then spray on plant leaves every 10 – 14 days.
About the Author
Julie is an avid organic gardener and recycler, living on a small country property in South Australia. Her mission is to encourage as many people as possible to garden organically. Please visit her website for great organic gardening tips & info or Companion Planting Guide
www.1stoporganicgardening.com
I am allergic to shellfish and need to take a calcium supplement. What kind should I get that will be safe?
I didn’t think that a calcium supplement would cause the same kind of allergic reaction as eating the shellfish…dumb. I took a 1/2 dose of liquid coral calcium to check the taste and immediately had a reaction. I need to be on a supplement due to bone loss in my spine but now I’m afraid to take anything without something in black and white…help.
Does mixing Knox gelatin with a liquid and then drinking it really make your nails grow?
What liquid would you mix with it? How much?
Knox gelatin has been known for many decades as a supplement for strong nails. It doesn’t necessarily make your nails grow, but it makes them stronger so that they don’t break and peel as easily. The final result of healthier nails is longer nails!
You mix it with water. As for the ratio, the recipe is on the back of the box.
Mike Portnoy – Liquid Drum Theater – Part 11 – Shrink and Grow
