Can I add vegetable/fruit peelings into my vegetable garden?

People often ask about whether it’s a good thing to let vegetable or fruit peelings compose in a vegetable garden, does it provide additional nutrients to the soil?

The simple answer is YES, peelings and fruit make excellent compost for the garden helping to nourish soil and feed the plants or whatever else you are growing.

Can I use rust instead of lime in a garden?

In a vegetable garden it is often advised to use lime to lower the acidity of the soil, would rust be able to do a similar job?

No, it can work in some cases but in general we wouldn’t advise using rust. Lime is used to add calcium and so Iron is not a substitute but can sometime be used alongside lime.

Is it possible to grow tomatoes from the seeds of a tomato that you buy from a supermarket?

Once you have bought a tomato or other fruit or vegetable from the supermarket, is it possible to grow fresh fruit from the left over seeds?

The answer is yes, if you have bought them fresh there is no real reason why they shouldn’t grow, I would recommend that you make sure that you have bought organic fresh vegetables as you can generally rule out any potential harmful chemical which may affect the growth of new plants. Also remember that environment is key, don’t expect something to grow which is imported and doesn’t really grow in your country.

What are your best organic vegetable gardening tips?

This is such an open question but still useful for many a budding new vegetable gardener.

Firstly the ingredients you will need are:

• Organic fertilizer,
• Compost
• mulch
• No pesticides.

When it comes to making your vegetable bed, start by mixing horse manure, peat moss and sifted dirt with a layer of top soil.

When planting your vegetables, add a mixture one or two tablespoons of fish emulsion and seaweed emulsion with a gallon of water.

Winter crops for vegetable garden?

So what vegetables should you try and grow over the winter?

The key is “what vegetables will grow if the temperature drops as low as -5C (23F)?” Well Tomatoes can often still survive at this temperature but other alternative vegetables which will have a better chance of survival are:

• (red, white, green) cabbage
• Carrots
• Beetroot
• black reddish
• pumpkin
• garlic
• onion.

It’s also a good idea to cover your vegetable garden to keep some heat in but in general the above will grow during the winter in soil outside.

We hope you found this post useful, if you have any questions or comments please leave a note below.

Andrew Taylor is an avid garden enthusiast who works for Alfresia Garden Seat cushions. He writes for a number of blogs and other gardening publications.

An Alternative

When you have a pest problem, chances are that you will probably need to use chemicals to knock the bugs dead. But you have many options, and if you choose to go the more eco-friendly way, you might want to try out creating your own pesticide using a very common flower – the chrysanthemum.

Why the Chrysanthemum?

The chrysanthemum plant produces a natural chemical called “pyrethrin” which is usually developed and incorporated in many forms of insecticides. The chrysanthemum species that contain the highest pyrethrin content is the Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium.

Safety Issue

Lots of insects just hate the scent of chrysanthemums. So, you can plant them in your garden if you want to reduce the number of creepy-crawlies that are bothering you. The question here, you might wonder, is – “Is it safe for me to plant chrysanthemums?” Since these flowers contain natural pyrethrins, you should ensure that your kids and pets won’t be eating the blooms and leaves. Also, it takes a larger and more potent dosage of pyrethrin before mammals, including us, demonstrate toxic reactions. Still, always be cautious when handling this type of plant.

Creating Organic Chrysanthemum-Based Insecticides

So, how do you make an organic pesticide using chrysanthemum flowers? It’s actually quite easy. Here are two methods that you can try out.

1. Boiling Method

In a liter of very hot water, place 100 grams of dried chrysanthemum flowers. Stir until all blooms are drenched and then let it stand for 1 hour. Strain afterwards. You can put the liquid in a spritzer and spray on insects.

2. Dry Method

Harvest flowers in full bloom. Dry the blossoms and then grind finely. You can sprinkle the powder on pests or apply some on affected plants.

Reminders

Always use protective gloves when handling the resulting fluid or powder from chrysanthemums. Though small amounts might not be toxic to humans, it is still best to be safe than sorry. The good thing here is that pyrethrins are very fat-soluble, which means that the substance will not accumulate inside your body.

What about the Environment?

One huge benefit of using pyrethrins from the chrysanthemum plant is that these quickly degrade when exposed to sunlight and high temperatures. So, these do not leave residues that are harmful to the environment.

When All Else Fails

Pyrethrins are considered as broad-range pesticides. This means that you can use such substances to kill many kinds of insects. However, if you think that your bug problem is too big for you to handle, it’s better to get in touch with pest control experts.

Citations:

• Genius000001. “Chrysanthemum”. March 14, 2008. Online image. Flickr. February 1, 2013.

Attached Images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source

The article is by Claire Brent, a freelancer and a concerned homemaker, who regularly blogs about organic cleaning agents and pesticides. Learn more about eco-friendly pest management here.

Inspect and prune

Like other plants, shrubs are susceptible to diseases, which is why it is important that you regularly look after them to keep diseases at bay. Inspect your shrubs for dead, diseased and damaged stems, crossing branches and overgrowth. Then, prune these problem parts as they can invite and transfer diseases to other plants. Shrubs that produce several shoots from the ground require the removal of older ones from time to time to allow better growth and produce strong young shoots. Mushrooms aren’t usually a cause for concern unless they’re growing in clumps near the trunks of shrubs. In such case, they can be an indication of root rot or decay so watch out for them while doing your inspection.

Get the soil tested

Every fall, it is best to take samples of your garden soil for nutrient analysis. This way, you will know if there is an imbalance in your lawn and be able to feed the soil with the right amount of fertilizer. For instance, if the soil where your shrubs are planted shows nutrient deficiency, it will be wise to use slow-release fertilizer over the soil during winter, so that the nutrients will be released by spring.

Cover with mulch

To insulate your shrubs and give them enough time to grow and improve their ability to take sufficient amounts of water and nutrients, cover their soil with organic mulch. Over winter, mulch serves as a protective layer that reduces shrub root drying and also helps improve the structure of the soil.

Proper distribution is important when applying mulch. There should be no mulch right at the stems of the shrubs, and you should gradually increase the application from 1 to 2 inches thick as you go along the shrubs’ drip line or their crowns’ outer projection. Resist the urge to pile a large mound of mulch at the base of the shrubs. If you do, the mulch will trap too much moisture which can cause rotting and disease.

Keep pests at bay

Some pests are attracted to shrubs, attacking them especially during spring and summer, and they can still cause a problem even as the weather cools. If you suspect that your garden shrubbery is infested, consider calling a professional for an assessment so as to prevent the pest from attacking other plants and for you to get the right solution to the problem at hand.

Transplant

Shrubs need to be transplanted or repotted to give their roots more space to grow. Hence, consider doing this to promote growth and let your shrubs have a better environment where they can absorb moisture and nutrients.

Fall is usually the best time to transplant shrubs because the plants do not support too much leaves and will permit their roots to grow. However, you must also be careful when transplanting during this season as there are some shrubs that don’t like to be moved during winter. Before you transplant anything, do a research first about these fall planting hazards as you might have some of them in your garden.

Protect them

Shrubs that are exposed to high winds, too much sun or salt should be protected to avoid injuring them. Hence, wrap their trunks with burlap trunk wrap or paper before winter sets in. You can also create a windshield by placing stakes into the ground and attaching the burlap to the poles. By early spring, before the shrubs start to grow, you should remove the coverings so as to avoid damaging their branches.

If, in the past, you’ve encountered branch break due to heavy snow loads, consider tying your shrubs with twine. Start on a low branch then move upward, gently folding the branches. This is highly recommended for delicate shrubs.

The guest post above was penned by Ericka in behalf of www.mcintyremasonry.co.uk Ericka is passionate about gardening and home improvement, inspiring her to write useful posts about these two subjects.

There are some good reasons why you should do such improvement. First, outdoor lighting ensures footing at night by giving you and your visitors the ability to see where you’re headed to–on a winding path, down a flight of stairs, from the gate to the front door–thereby keeping you from physical injury. Second, it gives an added layer of security by deterring trespassers or intruders from breaking into your home. Third, it can make your outdoor space sparkle at night and take on a different aesthetic, making it more inviting to stay in. With all these benefits, it is only fitting to have lights installed in your outdoor space. Below are some useful tips you can follow to successfully add lights to your landscape.

Think variety

To make your outdoor space come alive at night, a combination of two or more types of light should be used. For instance, bright, standard lights can be used to illumine posts around your garden and can also help repel intruders since they emit a strong light. Low-voltage lights, on the other hand, can be used on walkways and the main seating area as they cast a mellow light that is not too glaring for entertaining guests and traversing a path.

Add dynamism

A good lighting design for the outdoor space should be dynamic. And this can be achieved by not lighting all the areas equally. That is, think of the important zones in your garden that you need to see first, then second. Prioritize your lighting levels according to the function of the area. This will not only help make the space appear more lively, it is also a good way to efficiently use lights.

Try colors

When it comes to outdoor lighting that doesn’t mean you have to settle with the conventional fixtures that cast either white or yellow light. To further enhance the night time beauty of your garden, try using colored lights sparingly. For instance, you can use them to emphasize the shape of a shrub, tree or bed of flowers by installing the colored lights at a fence or a wall from close behind the plants. It won’t be difficult to find such fixtures as they are popular these days. Most of them even come in energy-efficient models, allowing you to save on your electricity bills.

Don’t forget safety

Unless you would be using solar powered lights, you’ll need a convenient power supply to hook the lights into. In such case, don’t take the risk of installing special waterproof outdoor sockets on your own. Instead, hire a qualified electrician to do the job for you. You may also ask the electrician to cover power cables with armored ducting to avoid accidents. If a transformer will be used to run low-voltage lights, house it in a waterproof casing or bring it inside the house so as not to expose it to water or moist.

This advice was provided by Robert for www.steelbuildingsuk.co.uk. Robert has been writing good content for those seeking practical tips and advice for gardening, lawn care, and other home improvement-related subjects. Follow Robert and learn more from his works.

More and more people are becoming so health conscious nowadays. They want healthy food on their table, and the best way to get healthy food is to choose organic food products. Organic food products are pretty expensive though. This is because the crops were cared for the old way. No pesticides, no insecticides, and no artificial methods of controlling pests. Just the old, time-consuming, back-breaking methods of taking care of your vegetable garden and seeing to it that they’re kept pest-free. However, the cost of organic food products doesn’t stop people from buying them though. In fact, organic food products have become all the more in-demand.

Growing your own organic vegetable garden may be very intensive, but the rewards are plenty.

Healthy Food

As mentioned earlier, no artificial means of pest control are used in growing your own vegetable garden. There are no chemicals used to make the crops healthier, tastier, and bigger. Only natural and organic methods are utilized in caring for the plants.

Because the plants are chemical-free, you can be assured of fresher and healthier vegetables. This also guarantees you of safer and tastier food crops. Vegetables grown organically may not be bigger though, but they more than make up for it in the health benefits they offer.

By eating healthy and chemical-free vegetables, you can improve your family’s health.

Save Money

Another benefit of growing your own organic vegetable garden is that you can save some money on groceries. After all, you no longer need to purchase vegetables in the supermarket because you only have to pick them in your garden.

You can preserve some of your food crops. You can can the tomatoes and preserve them for future use; you can dry your herbs and use them in your cooking; you can even keep the seeds for the next growing season. Having your own vegetable garden can tremendously help you save some money.

Reduce Stress

Tending to your own vegetable garden can also help reduce stress. Going to your garden, doing the mindless task of pulling weeds and picking pests, watering the plants, trimming the shrubberies, cleaning the garden – all these may be very repetitive and tiring, but there is something very meditative about gardening that pretty soon you’ll feel yourself relaxing and the stress leaving your body. After tending to your garden, you’ll feel more invigorated and more optimistic to face the day. After all, the task has given you time to calm down and think things over.

Gardening can help boost emotions, relax you, ease stress away, and make you feel more positive and optimistic.

Earn Money

You can also earn some money from your hobby. There are so many people looking for organic vegetable products, and through word of mouth advertisement, you can sell your products. This is a good way to increase your savings.

Growing your own vegetable garden is indeed very rewarding, but it can also become very tiring especially if the garden is infested with pests. If you have pest problems in your garden and you need the help of a professional pest control company, then always choose a contractor that offers eco-friendly, green pest control services. Their products won’t harm your organic vegetables and the environment.

Attached Images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source

Jennifer Dallman writes for PreventivePestControl.com. Growing your own vegetable garden offers a lot of benefits, but you also have to protect them against pests.

Healthier crops can easily be grown without them being exposed to toxic chemicals especially when dealing with pests. You simply must ensure that your garden full of crops stays eco-friendly when you eradicate pests that can destroy your hard work. When you do your research and utilize different methods such as rotating crops, natural pest control and sustainable garden techniques, your garden will successfully be healthy and free from pests. Here are a few simple and inexpensive gardening methods you can practice if you are determined to maintain healthy crops and an eco-friendly garden. Remember that patience, determination and regular care will help you along the way, so do not give up easily.

Proven Natural Pest Control Methods

Here are three eco-friendly gardening pest control methods used in many gardens throughout the years.

Crop Rotation

One simple method of controlling pests is by implementing crop rotation. As there are different plant families, you can opt to invest in one plant family for the year and then plant another family in the following year. Many professional gardeners have been using this method of gardening to prevent pests from attacking their gardens. Keep rotating your crop planting every year and keep in mind to add in plants that attract beneficial pests to help keep harmful pests away.

Sustainable Garden Techniques

Garden techniques such as plant spacing, mulching, plant inspection and eliminating infected plants have always been used through the years. They ensure that natural pest control methods are only used in gardens and they also assist in the healthy growth of plants. When pests are detected on the plants, these pests are hand-picked and killed. This will also help you identify which type of pest has been attacking your garden, thus allowing you to apply the correct method of pest control according to the pest you are dealing with. Even weeding and removing the debris whenever you practice sanitation schedules, will help you have a garden that is ready and healthy for the following year’s planting.

Natural Pest Control

Surely there are plenty of over the counter pest control products being sold in the market today, but a majority of them are actually harmful to a garden. If you are looking for pest control products that are effective, you can use products made from natural ingredients or make your own formulations at home. Such products are called natural because of the ingredients being used and chemicals are avoided. If you are planning on making your own pest control products you can look for pure essential oils and extracts being sold in specializing stores. Even fresh and dried herbs can be used to make such products.

Stick To Natural Methods

When the soil of your garden is healthy, your crops will be healthy as they will be able to resist pests and other plant diseases. There are many garden treatments that are rich in nutrients, but are not made from natural ingredients. These treatments must always be avoided. Instead of pesticides, the application of beneficial pests and natural pest control products can keep the annoying critters away without harming the crops. However, if you only notice a pest infestation too late and it has already inflicted massive damages to your garden, then you must consult with a pest control professional who can also help you keep your garden safe from toxic chemicals when eradicating pests.

Citations:

• Photographed by kariatx.

Attached Images:

•  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://mrg.bz/2S3Xg

Valerie Banks is a freelance writer specializing in natural pest control methods. She regularly contributes pest control articles for Rove Pest Control websites where a well experienced professional can be consulted.

Choosing the wrong plants

One of the biggest mistakes that new gardeners make is choosing the wrong plants. If you make the right decision in the beginning, it can guarantee that your plants thrive. You need to consider several elements, including the climate for where you live to ensure that the plants will survive.

Caring for your lawn

Many people think that you simply need to cut the grass and then the lawn will look amazing; however, this is one of the harder areas to get right in your garden. You need to ensure that you learn how to cut the grass correctly, to produce an even length, and top quality lawn. You need to ensure that you keep on top of cutting the grass, and care for your lawn like every other area.

Choosing the wrong location

There are both good and bad spots in your garden for the plants that you have carefully chosen, therefore, you need to ensure that you choose wisely. Taking the time to select the perfect place for every plant will guarantee that it thrives, and that you do not despair. Preparation is essential with all plants, and will help them to grow.

Removing plants instead of weeds

A common mistake to make when you are a novice gardener is not realizing the difference between weeds and plants. Many people pull up new plants thinking that they are weeds, which is a shame, and can ruin the look of your garden. Therefore, using tags or markers is essential, and will ensure that the plants stay in the ground.

Bad soil preparation

You cannot simply plant things in the soil in the garden and expect the plants to thrive. Some plants may do well, however, to give your garden the best chance of survival you need to prepare the soil. Testing the soil and discovering what style is in your garden is necessary, and can help you to prepare it in advance.

Watering issues

Both too little, and too much water can have a huge effect on the life span of your garden, and far too many novice gardeners get this wrong. As your plants mature, they will need consistent watering, and even deep soaking. If you are unsure a water irrigation system is ideal, and will allow you to water correctly.

Excessive fertilizer

Fertilizer is good for gardens, however, if an excessive amount is used, you may discover that your plants have bad problems. The nitrogen within the fertilizer can be an issue, and will destroy the stems of the plants, therefore, little amounts is advised.

Overplanting is common

All new gardeners get excited about the possibilities they can create in their gardens, however, this can lead to planting too many plants. If you plant too many seeds, they will go to waste, which will be heart breaking when they die. Being cautious with your garden is ideal, and will ensure that you learn the top 8 gardening mistakes and how to fix them correctly.

Since his childhood. Karen has been passionate about home decors. You can visit her site if you want to get more information on buying durable patio furniture covers as well as grill covers at Outdoor Cover Pros.

Permanent Beds

A permanent bed is a good choice for those of us who might want the garden design to remain the same forevermore.  It’s the best way to go for individuals who want to build it and then forget about it, with the single exception, of course, for planting.  Cedar is a rot resistant wood that would be suitable for a project like this.  If you’re leaning away from wood you might want to consider rocks, bricks, or cement blocks.  The goal is to create a bed from materials that would provide long lasting support for the garden year after year.

If aesthetics are important, decorative rocks or bricks might be more attractive to look at than plain cinderblocks, but remember that once the garden starts growing your eyes will probably be more focused on the plants than on the materials you used for the garden housing.

Temporary Beds

The benefit to building a temporary bed is that you can adjust the design and layout of your garden each year.  Having more than one way to set up a garden might add fun and exciting element to your horticulture endeavors.  It would be suitable for individuals who have families with ever changing needs.  Space in the backyard might be limited for gardening if you have small children or pets that use the area.  As the children grow and their play areas are used less and less, you could move the raised beds to different locations in the backyard.

The materials for a temporary bed may also include rot resistant wood, bricks, rocks, and cinderblocks.  The heavier the materials, however, the more cumbersome take down and setup will be.  Oftentimes you will have to joist wood like cedar together, so it might be challenging to move framed pieces to another location.

Dimensions of Raised Beds

When you’re thinking about making raised beds to grow a vegetable garden, it’s important to get the proper dimensions so the garden is successful, and so you can maximize the ease of gardening on an elevated surface.  Dimensions to keep in mind are adequate depth, width that is reachable, and length that is to your liking.  It might be a good idea to make your beds based on the following dimensions:

• Create beds at are at least 12 inches deep.  To ensure roots penetrate deeply enough into the soil, it’s important to make the beds at least one foot deep.

• Beds need to be reachable in width.  In order to make the garden accessible for you to work in, you may not want to build the beds more than 3 to 4 feet wide, unless you have long arms and an even longer reach.  Keep in mind that you can work on one side, and walk around to the opposite side and work along that side as well.  It’s not necessary to reach the entire width from one side of the bed.

• The length can be determined by your desires.  Depth and width are the two dimensions that really need to be planned carefully.  Length can be based on what your area allows and your own personal taste.

What to Plant in Raised Beds

You can enjoy all the variety of produce in a raised garden that a traditional garden might offer.  You might want to put gourds in one bed, root vegetables in another, and tomatoes off on their own.  Herbs can also be planted in raised beds along with flowering plants, and berries.  Each variety of plant needs to be placed in the soil in the appropriate season.

Feed and Water Plants in Raised Beds Regularly

Raised beds have a tendency to dry out faster than regular garden beds, so be vigilant in watering.   The soil will not be able to feed the plants in your garden as easily as it could in a traditional garden, so regular fertilization is also a key ingredient in a successful raised garden.

Lawrence Reaves writes for The Growers Exchange, a gardening company offering flowering plants, potted herbs and vegtable plants delivered directly to your home.  Check out the products they offer here.

Wet, soggy or slimy compost

There is nothing that can be worst as cold, slimy compost. A slimy compost is caused by three factors; excessive moisture, poor aeration and insufficient nitrogen material in the pile. A compost which has been overburdened by materials that wads down when wet-spoiled hay, grass clippings and a heap of uncut tree leaves can become so dense in a manner that makes the pile center to lack air. When such a heap is left uncovered for a long period of rainy season, without it being turned to allow air penetrate to the center, you will end up with a soggy lump.

The microorganisms responsible for the cooking of compost are known as Aerobic bacteria. These microorganisms cannot live under such poor oxygen supplied environment. Instead, you welcome anaerobic bacteria since they do not require air to survive. Your microbe will eventually compost, but will take a period longer than aerobic bacteria.

Soggy compost is easy to fix. If wet weather is one part of the problem, then place a loose fitting lid over the pile. In addition, turn the pile over while fluffing it thoroughly. If you have some nitrogen rich ingredients and fibrous ingredients such as saw dust add them into the pile to help in getting things cook. Your pile will heat within few days after which you should keep it cooking by overturning it every 7-14 days.

Dry and dusty compost

If you live in the West, chances are that you experience dry and dusty weather conditions from time to time. This is most common from the month of May to October when summer rains are practically nonexistent. Regardless of the material you pile up, stack does not get sufficient moisture for bacterial life support necessary for speeding the composting process. However, if you have dry and dusty compost, you just need to water It; that is a problem fully solved.

The rule of the thumb here is; your compost components should always feel as wet as a soggy sponge. You can place an oscillating sprinkler on top of the dry compost and run it for 30 minutes, so as to moisten the materials. Sometimes, you need to turn your pile and water layers before attending your daily chores.

Unwelcome visitors on the compost

If your compost is attracting unwanted visitors such as mice, rats, ants and flies, you probably might have added some food craps such as meat or fish bones. To prevent unwanted visitors from your compost ensure that the lid is secure and that there are no gaps left. Also ensure that you pout food scraps in the middle and cover them. Mixing the compost thoroughly will also discourage ants and mice from coming to your compost.

Smelly compost

Smelly compost is caused by too wet materials which do not allow oxygen to decompose properly. To prevent foul odor, add carbon rich brown material (such as dry leaves or hay) or add garden lime. Rotating the pile once per week will allow air to get into the middle and hence prevent the formation of a foul odor.

These are some of the common problems you will most likely face. Understanding how to solve each of the problems will help you have an easier time in preparing your compost.

This article has been written by Charles who loves to cover gardening tips. You can have a look at his site where he talks about Indoor Water Walls and Sunrise Springs wall fountain.

Why Natural Alternatives?

Many lawn and garden chemicals not only pollute water and environment but are also hazardous for children and pets. Since the internal organs of the children are in the developmental stage, it is difficult for them to detoxify toxins. The pesticides used commonly in our homes consists of several carcinogens, some chemicals could even cause birth defects, damage to liver, kidney and disrupt the endocrine system.

Refuse Lawn and Garden Chemicals

This is the high time to prevent your family and environment free from harmful chemicals by adopting natural and safer alternatives to these chemicals. Here is the list of six natural alternatives to lawn and garden chemicals.

1. Lawn Care: The first and foremost step is to know about your garden. Have your soil tested and determine its pH and nutrient needs. Accordingly, choose the right grass; mow it to the right height and water wisely. This will keep your lawn free from weeds and healthy.

2. Companion Planting: It is a planting in which different crops are planted in proximity so that they could help each other in pollination, nutrient uptake and pest control. When a certain crop is planted in a garden for a long time it becomes a permanent target of a particular pest. This could be avoided by growing certain plants which repel a variety of pests. These plants include asters, marigold, garlic, petunias etc. This method hence cuts down the use several lawn chemicals.

3. Composting: This method effectively reduces the dependence on fertilizers. It provides free soil amendment as it increases the soil’s ability to hold water and nutrients. It also protects the plants by providing mulch (a protective covering of organic matter to prevent evaporation of moisture, growth of weeds etc.).

4. Biocontrol: It is a method to control weeds and pests in your garden. Select the plants which can attract the insects and animals that destroy the weeds and bugs in your garden. You can purchase beneficial insects such as ladybugs, ground beetles and praying mantis which eat the harmful insects. Loose them in your garden. Certain plants such as garlic, petunias, chives etc. also repel aphids.

5. Aerate and Dethatch your garden: It is very important to aerate the soil in order to reduce the dependence on fertilizers. Remove the plugs of soil by using aerating machine. Dethatching involves removing the woody parts of the grass on the surface of lawn. For this dethatching rake could be employed. These methods will keep your lawn healthy in a greener way.

6. Hot water: Hot water could be effectively used for weed control. Pour the boiling water directly on the weeds. This will stop the growth of the weeds. Pull out the weeds from the surface and then pour boiling water where the weeds were in order to destroy the roots completely. Hot water could also be employed for killing pests. Pour hot water on the ant nests to destroy them completely.

The Bottom Line
In addition to the above methods, there are certain chemicals which are non-toxic and can effectively be used as an alternative to lawn and garden chemicals. These include hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, epsom salt etc. Certain natural and organic chemicals are also available in the market if you don’t want to make your own garden chemicals; for example: bone meal and blood meal.

Going for natural alternatives is worth it as it will not only make your lawn and gardens healthy and free from toxic and hazardous chemicals but is also safe for your family and environment

Paul is a freelance writer that loves to share tips when it comes to gardening. You can have a look at his site where you will be able to buy wall fountains as well as large wall water fountains.