Location: Midwest
This year instead of sending your yard waste to the landfill as you clean up for planting…think about starting a compost pile. You don’t need a fancy compost bin or barrel; just pick out an out-of-the-way spot and start dumping your yard leftovers. Some people like to build a three-sided pen to keep things contained, leaving one side open to get in and turn the compost once a week or so. This will “feed” your compost and kick the decomposition process into high gear. As you add ingredients be sure to mix with a pitch fork to break up compacted layers and give your pile air. Don’t forget to add all you vegetable food waste, (don’t add meat or dairy – animal food sources can produce harmful bacteria as they decompose). Other great sources of compost include coffee grounds, black and white newspaper (shredded) and dryer lint. Your compost piel will love it and you’ll reduce the garbage your family produces.
It can take as little as three weeks to get usable garden much from your compost pile. Try Compost Plus® to speed up the process too. When you think the soil looks well broken down and much more like dirt than yard debris and waste, mix it with your garden soil. All those nutrients will be returned to you in a fabulous, organic harvest!
Are these Safer products that you all keep recommending really organic and okay for an organic garden (free of pesticides and chemicals)? I’ve been working on my garden, and am interested in ways to keep pests out naturally. Last year my garden was invaded by ants, and I did deal with a few other pests. But wanting to stay away from chemicals, I’ve not really found a product that I am willing to try or recommend to my readers. You can see my gardening progress here:
http://www.thethriftymama.com/category/gardening/
Excellent question! Yes.. Safer Brand Gardening Products are OMRI Listed® and approved for use in Organic Gardening by the USDA’s National Organic Program. We have a section of our website: http://www.saferbrand.com/advice/organic-gardening/organic-vs-natural dedicated to helping gardeners like you understand the difference between products that says they are “natural” and products that back up our organic claim with rigorous third party testing. But you don’t have to take our word for it; you can visit http://www.OMRI.org to find out more about their organization.
I will be writing a post today that discusses organic pesticides to touch on your question (free of pesticides and chemicals) because Safer Brand products are considered pesticides but they are made from organic sources such as chrysanthemum flowers and seaweed extract. More to follow… and thank you for asking such an important question!