By HGTV
Why garden organically? "Organic gardening is...safer, easier to do and very effective with plants," says horticulturist George Brinkmann. Here are some tips to help you get started:
- One of the most important aspects of organic gardening is keeping the plants clean. Routinely remove all dead or yellowing leaves; those are good places for insects to thrive and diseases to start.
- Use a soft cloth or paintbrush to remove dust from foliage.
- Use plant and animal waste, such as worm castings, composted manure, dried blood, bone meal and fish oil, to fertilize plants.
- Remove leaves with fungus problems, and isolate the sick plant from your healthy, clean specimens so that disease won't spread.
- To combat insects such as aphids, spray leaves with water. "Bugs can't swim," says Brinkmann. Also use sticky traps (sticky yellow paper available at home and garden centers) to attract and trap insects that are attacking your plants.
Provided by HGTV - http://www.hgtv.com
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