Organic Plant Nutrients, Pest Control and My Raised Bed Garden

Good Morning!  My last newsletter was quite possibly my most controversial yet.  After sending out What is a GMO ... Just the Facts! I received so many emails of support and thanks for bringing to light such an important topic.  At Mary's Heirloom Seeds we feel that Education is KEY to a healthy existence.

Now for our latest...Organic Plant Nutrients, Pest Control and Raised Bed Gardens

Mary's Heirloom Seeds Newsletter Plant Nutrients, Organic Pest Control & Raised Beds August 26,  2014 In This Issue GROW! Plant Nutrients Helpful Links Raised Bed Garden If you have additional questions about GMOs and Heirloom seeds after our last newsletter please feel free to ask. Education is a priority here at Mary's Heirloom Seeds. We're here to help! Nasturtiums SUPPLIES BEANS & CORN Heirloom FRUIT Heirloom GREENS Heirloom PEPPERS Heirloom SEEDS SQUASH & PUMPKIN Heirloom TOMATOES HERB Seeds Organic Wildflowers Specialty Heirlooms Seed Pack Combos SPROUTS A few favorites Giant of Italy Parsley  Green Globe Artichoke Mammoth Sunflower Listada de Gandia Japanese Giant RED Mustard If you're growing a veggie garden or you've ever grown a garden then you probably know that nutrients are very important.  Sun and soil (and SEEDS) are also important. Nutrients play an integral role in plant health. Plant Nutrients-Getting Started Organic Plant Food Most "all-in-one" type offertilizers have an "NPK" rating.  NPK stands for Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium(potash).  What does each nutrient do? In addition to other properties, Nitrogen helps plant foliage to grow strong. Phosphorous helps roots and flowers grow and develop. Potassium (Potash) is important for overall plant health. Mary's Organic Plant Nutrients 3-4-4  A complete plant food with all 15 essential nutrients Originally developed for professional gardeners Complex blend of natural organics provide complete and balanced feeding of all 15 nutrients Environmentally safe No sludges, hazardous or toxic ingredients Blood Meal (Nitrogen) 12-0-0 Easy to use   Works in gardens, yards, lawns, and soil beds Perfect for revitalizing soils that have been heavily worked Scent serves as a deterrent to common garden pests such as rabbits and deer Also helps accelerate composting breakdown of carbon based composts such as leaves and straw Bone Meal (Phosphorus) 4-12-0 Phosphorus is involved in many plant processes, including: Energy transfer reactions Development of reproductive structures Crop maturity Root growth Protein synthesis We carry VEGAN ALL-IN-ONE PLANT FOOD   Helpful Links: More about Nitrogen   More about Phosphorus Organic Pest Control There are so many recipes out there for DIY pest control. But first, start with Prevention! Companion Planting is based around the idea that certain plants can benefit others when planted next to, or close to one another. Companion planting exists to benefit certain plants by giving them pest control, naturally without the need to use chemicals, and in some cases they can give a higher crop yield. Diatomaceous Earth is a natural and organic way to deter or eliminate pests from the garden. DE kills aphids, white flies, beetles, loopers, mites, snails, slugs, leaf hoppers, and harmful pests. A few of my DIY Recipes include: All-Purpose Insect Spray or Soap and Water spray For my soapy water spray I use Dr. Bronner's Combine 1 tablespoon of Dr. Bronner's castile soap with water in a clean spray bottle. Invert it gently several times to mix, but do not shake the bottle. Apply the insecticidal soap spray to your plants in a heavy coating, as the spray only works if it saturates the insects you're trying to kill. Repeat once per week until you don't notice any insects on your plant. Spray plants in the early morning because pants and blossoms are most open. My new Raised Bed Garden We have been on a roll in the garden lately.  In Florida, it is so hot during the summer months that NOW is when we get started again on the bulk of planting.  I received my raised bed garden kit from Garden in Minutes at the end of July and so far I am thrilled with the results! You can read a few of my articles here: Basics of Square Foot Gardening Building a Raised Bed Garden in Minutes Choosing Varieties for a Raised Bed Garden Or  watch our videos here In approx 4 weeks from seed our Acorn Squash is thriving.  Look at these beautiful plants! Organic, Heirloom Acorn Bush Squash The whites stuff on the leaves is left over DE from 9 days ago. The Radish and Beets are doing Great!