Keep your garden looking this good with some easy to make homemade and green pesticides.

http://www.lawncareservice.net/blog/2010/10-homemade-pesticides-for-your-yard-and-garden/

Peat is used in compost and soil improvers because it’s cheap, light, retains moisture and stores nutrients. However, in extracting peat from its natural home, its ability to store four times as much carbon as forests is lost. Consequently, 400,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere every year, while a vital habitat for rare birds, dragonflies, butterflies and plants is needlessly destroyed.

http://www.theecologist.org/blogs_and_comments/commentators/other_comments/987731/time_for_gardeners_to_stop_living_the_good_lie.html

Oxford Biochar is pioneering the first large-scale experiment on the use of biochar on British allotments and gardens. It aims to gather quantitative data on above- and below-ground productivity, and qualitative data on plant and soil health of widely used fruit and vegetable varieties in Britain. These data, combined with existing information on weather and soil quality, will be used to assess the effects of biochar on the productivity of soils across Britain. http://oxfordbiochar.com/

Research on biochar is still in its infancy: the long term benefits of Biochar on the Amazonian Terra Preta soils is well documented, but long-term studies on European soils are only beginning.  The Big Biochar Experiment aims to quantify the effects of biochar application on British soils.

There are a limited number of free Biochare samples available so please check out what is involved and apply by visiting:  http://www.bigbiocharexperiment.co.uk/get-started.html

Oxford Biochar is a revolutionary soil enhancer that has been developed by a team of scientists who are concerned about key environmental challenges facing the planet.

Through their research they have found that incorporating Oxford Biochar into soil leads to substantial productivity increases, lessens the need for fertilisers, and can ultimately lead to a garden or allotment becoming carbon neutral.

Made from pyrolised (slow burning with no air) farm residues, Oxford Biochar increases soil fertility, breaks down environmental poisons, suppresses smells and sequesters carbon. It is ideal for use in gardens and allotments or farms for truly eco-smart carbon negative growing.

GOOD FOR YOUR PLANTS

Recent trials on Oxford Biochar have shown to achieve this impressive list of results:

– Significantly enhance plant growth & root development – a doubling or even tripling of crop yield
– Boost plant nutrient retention.
– Improve soil structure and stability.
– Improve soil water holding capacity & permeability.
– Raise soil pH (i.e. reduces soil acidity).
– Retain nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil.
– Help healthy activity of soil microfauna & flora.
– Provide refuge for microrhizae, for healthy roots.
– Suppress odours & breaks down pollutants.

GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Oxford Biochar TM is sourced locally using excellent quality agricultural waste. By using 1kg of biochar,  800 g of carbon is put back into the soil for thousands of years, helping  reduce your carbon footprint.

Fertilizer production is the biggest source of greenhouse gas emission from the UK farming industry. The use of biochar can restore soil fertility for thousands of years, significantly reducing the need for fertilisers and herbicides.

Biochar-rich soils also prevent methane and nitrogen emissions from the soil (potent greenhouse gasses).

Check out the Oxford Biochar range of products at http://oxfordbiochar.com/?page_id=241

Hoping to test this soil myself over the next few months – check back soon for the results!

Why is Composting Important?

One of the simplest and most important things anyone can do is build their own compost to recycle bio-waste.

Every time you peel vegetables, or scrape away certain leftovers, you are limiting organic matter from impacting on climate change. By compacting waste, and then reusing it in our gardens, we are increasing the amount of carbon that is stored in the soil. Applying organic fertilizers also helps slow down greenhouse emissions in arable soil.

Other benefits of adding organic matter to the soil include better retention of water, improved workability and a reduction in the release of nitrous oxide. Organic fertilizers can also reverse the decline in soil organic matter. The mix of carbon, nitrogen, water and oxygen provides the essential environment for decomposition of organic waste, but for optimum results careful attention should be paid to the type of organic matter being composted.

What Makes Suitable Composting Matter?

Kitchen waste contains a variety of nutrients, which allow composting bacteria to produce sugar and heat, and to thrive. Vegetable, fruit trimmings and coffee grounds all have a high nitrogen content. Eggshells also provide a good source of soil nutrient, but do take a lot longer to decompose than fruit and vegetable matter.

Composting Methods

There are two methods of composting: one takes an active approach, which relies on composting at ideal conditions, whilst the other approach is more passive. Active (hot) composting requires that aerobic bacteria is allowed to thrive in temperatures exceeding 55C. The temperature for passive composting, on the other hand, never reaches 30C but is a much slower process.

Kitchen waste that is placed in a composting bin is then left untended and will start to produce a high water content. As this passive method provides no aeration the waste will soon emit a foul smell and significant greenhouse gases. Mixing in leaves, twigs or bark can however, reduce the unpleasant smell. Home composting however, can be successfully done using either approach, so ensuring your chosen method fits in with your lifestyle is worth considering before you begin.

Types of Composting Containers

Slatted sided or closed containers can both be used for composting. Where space is limited a cylindrical bin is recommended, although careful attention should be paid to aeration and carbon and nitrogen levels. In order to encourage recycling local authorities provide this type of composting container at a low cost price. The most important thing to get right however, is the correct mixture of carbon and nitrogenous materials and a good layering of rough and twiggy layers, as this improves the circulation of air.

Follow this step by step guide to building your own compost by Alan Titchmarsh:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/htbg/module7/making_your_own_compost1.shtml

For more info on getting the right balance in your compost mixture visit:

http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/organicgardening/compost_pf.php

http://cityfoodgrowers.com.au/blog-latestposts.php?catid=104 ]]> http://www.myclimatechangegarden.com/blog/is-newspaper-toxic-for-my-organic-garden/feed 0 http://www.myclimatechangegarden.com/blog/wet-may-bank-holiday?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wet-may-bank-holiday http://www.myclimatechangegarden.com/blog/wet-may-bank-holiday#comments Sat, 01 May 2010 04:12:08 +0000 Debbie http://www.myclimatechangegarden.com/blog/?p=7827 What a difference a week makes for our UK weather. Last Saturday we had the hottest weekend this year at 22c and now we are down to 12c with  rain and cloud predicted http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/weather/7658856/Bank-holiday-weekend-wet-weather-and-travel-chaos-on-their-way.html

In fact the soil could do with a real soaking as it is very dry after the third sunniest April in 100 years. Whatever the weather, I am determined to get digging my piece of allotment to prepare the ground for planting out some of the veg  plants that I sowed from seed in my conservatory at the beginning of April.The courgettes and tomatoes have come on really well in the April sunshine but will not be planted out till all risk of frost has gone – I hear this Monday night is going to be very cold.

Will need to dig in some rich manure from the local farm supplier. Using locally produced garden soil and peat free compost is an excellent way to cut your carbon footprint.An estimated half a million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year is emitted as a result of peat extraction from sites in the UK for use in horticulture. Plus more than 50 per cent of the peat we use in this country is imported, mostly from Ireland and the Baltic.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/climatechange/7398949/Amateur-gardeners-urged-to-use-peat-free-compost-to-cut-carbon-footprint.html

Soil that is too wet or even too dry means planting times are having to change. A recent report by Defra and the Horticultural Development Company highlights the serious implications of this “We had not anticipated the impact climate change would have on soil conditions and how significant that would be. If growers cannot plant at the right time it throws everything out.Increasing winter rainfall and summer heat changes soil conditions and land preparation which means sowing and harvesting times all have to change.http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/land/soil/sap/index.htm

QUESTION: What purpose does soil serve?

ANSWER: Soil holds nutrients, it is where plant roots “traditionally” live

Traditionally is certainly a word to be challenged. Alternatives to using soil for growing plants, especially food crops are now very popular and one proven system that uses water actually originated in Ancient History. Hydroponics (from the Greek words hydro =water and ponos= labour) is an effective method of growing plants using water with a mineral nutrient solution but without any soil.The earliest recordings of hydroponics were in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, where plants grew in a steady stream of water.

http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Ancient-Hydroponics-Gardens/220989

To day hydroponics is big business and commercial growers successfully use a variety of mediums.Its is very profitable in the USA as it produces guaranteed crops but is expensive to establish and much of it is grown under glass with heating which has huge environmental issues.Eurofresh Farms inArizona produces around 125 million pounds of tomatoes across 318 acres under glass and represents about a third of the commercial hydroponic greenhouse area in America.

HYDROPONIC HEAVEN

Hydroponic systems are ideal for producing food in small spaces. It allows gardeners to grow plants in a more efficient and productive manner with less labour and time required.

With hydroponics you provide the exact nutrients your plants need, so they can develop and grow. The nutrients are fed directly at the root base, never stressing the plant due to lack of nutrients or water which

Dozens of different nutrient solution compositions have been suggested over the years, but most resemble each other fairly closely. The guidelines for nutrient solutions are that they contain nutrients in amounts that are proportional to plant tissue composition and in a total solution concentration that does not damage the plant. Nutrient solutions do not resemble normal soil solutions.

Virtually any plant will grow hydroponically, but some will do better than others. Hydroponic growing is ideal for fruit bearing crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, leafy crops, like lettuce and herbs and flowing plants. Most hobby hydroponic gardeners plant crops similar to what they would grow in a soil garden

Try building your own hydroponic system if you have had enough of digging in soggy soil this winter. Sounds challenging but there is an excellent step by step guide at?http://www.diy-guides.com/building-a-nft-hydroponic-system/

Let’s name and shame the peat offenders

A peat bog on the North York Moors. Photograph: Alamy

Another year, another Chelsea, and I’m asking myself, why does the RHS still tolerate peat at its garden shows? Especially when climate change was again a prominent theme at last week’s event.

Not only are peatlands important habitats, they are also vital in the fight against global warming. Healthy peat bogs store carbon and once they are dug up and the peat degrades, this ends up in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. There is an argument that businesses would suffer without peat to help the nurture of young plants, and with that would come the loss of jobs and livelihoods. According to many professionals, the alternatives are just not up to the mark.

No one wants to see job losses and misery for those who already earn rubbish wages. But when faced with potentially disastrous climate change, is it not time to get tough with those dragging their feet in horticulture, as Obama has done with a dinosaur car industry? Is it not the moment to say, adapt or die?

To be fair, awareness is on the increase and overall use of peat is falling. Chelsea, for its part, has banned peat from display coverings, though it accepts it is still used to grow the plants themselves. Why does this attitude persist? If it’s the quality of plants that everyone is worried about (and given the global context, this is a lame excuse) then look at the National Trust. It manages wonderful gardens without the use of peat. Ditto Kew, which hasn’t been near the stuff for years.

If its policing the ban that’s the problem, why not do random tests at the flower shows, like they do for drugs in sport? Anyone in breach of the rules would be banned, then named and shamed. They would be the Ben Johnson or Dwain Chambers of the potting shed. Gardeners could be given a season or two to sort out their supply chains, before any ban came into force.

There are further parallels here with sport. Performance of certain plants may suffer, as it has done in with some athletes, though then again it may not. Either way, it’s the ethics that count, not the ego of the gardener. And either way, the environment would be the better for it.

Posted by Dominic Murphy Thursday 28 May 2009 09.00 BST gua