1. Tobacco or Nicotine Spray

This mixture is great for combating many different types of bugs, but especially caterpillars, aphids, and many types of those nasty worms.

Ingredients:
1 cup of tobacco
1 gallon of water

Put the tobacco into the container of water. Allow the mixture to set for approximately 24 hours. After it has stood for a day, check the color. It should be the shade of weak tea. If it is too dark, just dilute it with water until it looks right.

*Warning: Don’t use this solution on peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, or any other member of the solanaceous family. Tobacco chemicals can kill these types of plants!

2. Soap Spray

Another way to stop the slugs is with soapy water. That’s right, you can just use your old, dirty dishwater! Collect some of the water in a pan and pour it into a watering can or even use a pitcher to pour it over the plants. This works really well on hostas and mums, but also can be used on other hardy plants. Many bugs do not like their lunch spoiled by a soapy aftertaste! For a stronger solution, mix 3 Tablespoons of liquid detergent into a gallon of water, I prefer Dawn, but any will do. Use this weekly.

3. Alcohol Spray

This spray really is great for houseplants. This especially works on meal bugs.

1/2 cup of alcohol
2-3 tablespoons of dry laundry soap
1 quart of warm water

Mix all ingredients and spray immediately. You don’t have to let this set, but you can’t store it either. This solution must be made fresh for each use.

4. Salt Spray

This solution is used for cabbageworms and spider mites.

2 tablespoons of salt
1 gallon of water
Mix all ingredients and spray immediately.

5. Garlic Spray

Here is the recipe for a garlic spray that fights slugs too. Slugs must not like eating Italian. To make this smelly spray, use the following list of ingredients:

1 garlic bulb
1 quart of water
1 medium onion
1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon liquid dish soap

Crush the garlic, mincing it fine. Add finely chopped onion to the mixture, while adding the rest of the ingredients except the soap. Wait an hour before adding the soap to the mixture. The spicy ingredients must sort of stew or steep, almost like tea. After an hour, add the soap and your non-toxic spray is ready to use! This can be stored in the fridge for a week.

6. Buttermilk and Flour Spray

Garlic spray is great for getting rid of cutworms, wireworms, whiteflies, and slugs too.

Ingredients:
1 pint of water
1/4 cup of dish liquid
2 teaspoons of paraffin
6 tablespoons of chopped garlic

Soak the whole garlic in the liquid paraffin for at least 24 hours. After a day, add the dish liquid and water to the mixture. Remember to shake it very well. Strain the solution and store it in a glass jar. This lasts around a week.

7. Dead Bug Spray

Another way to beat the bug problem is by taking some dead carcasses of the same insects and mixing them in water. Use one pint of water and 1/2 cup of slug carcasses. Although this is rather unpleasant, it works.

Blend the water and insects until mixed well and then put into a plastic container or glass jar. To use this, pout into a sprayer and squirt a few drops on the affected plants. You can freeze this mixture for storage.

*Beware: Do NOT use flies, ticks, fleas, or mosquitoes in this solution! These insects carry many communicable human diseases!

8. Spearmint-Hot Pepper-Horseradish Spray

This works on many different kinds of bugs- too many to list!

1/2 cup of red peppers (hot)
water (read below)
1/2 cup of fresh spearmint
1/2 cup horseradish (root and leaves)
2 tablespoons of liquid detergent
1/2 cup green onion tops

Mix all of the spearmint leaves, horseradish, onion tops and peppers together with enough water to cover everything. Strain the solution. After mixing all of these, add a half-gallon of water and add the detergent also. To use this solution, mix 1/2 gallon of this solution with 1/2 gallon of water. You can use this to spray almost any plant safely. Store this mixture for a few days in a cool environment.

–eSsortment

http://containergardening.wordpress.com/2008/09/16/the-big-top-ten-organic-gardening-tips-google-beautiful-home-and-garden/
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By using only organic gardening supplies, your gardening tasks will be easier and more enjoyable.• Compost, an all natural soil amendment is made through the use of composters. Composters break down organic materials such as leaves, grass clippings, and food scraps to make a 100% organic, all natural soil additive. Composters come in varying shapes, sizes and designs. Research composters and choose one that meets your needs. Making your own natural compost is a great alternative to other organic gardening supplies you would ordinarily have to buy, and it’s free!

• Rain Barrels collect water from your roof and store it until needed. Rain water is softer and chemical free. Rain Barrels are great for keeping your plants healthy and saving water. Many rain barrels are made from reused food drums and recycled plastic, keeping with the commitment to sustainable living. You can collect approximately 675 gallons of rain off your roof from a single rain storm. Stored rain water supplies much needed moisture to your gardens during extreme dry spells where rationing is necessary.

• All Natural and organic fertilizers supplies much needed nutrients to plantings. Natural and organic fertilizers generally have a slow release so nutrients last over time. Natural and organic fertilizers such as liquefied worm poop and tea from composters, are among the top natural and organic fertilizers and an essential ingredient to your organic gardening supplies.

• Push reel mowers are a great way to be eco friendly! Push reel mowers use no gas or electric, only your own energy. Push reel mowers are lightweight, easy to use and gives your lawn that golf course look. Owning a push reel mower is an important part of organic gardening.

• Grow native plants. Native plants require less water. They are also naturally more insect and disease resistant than other plants. Healthy, lush gardens made from indigenous plants also make a natural home for birds.

• Container gardening is good for planting your favorite flowers and vegetables when space is limited! Use large containers such as steel buckets and wooden barrels for creative container gardening. Container gardens do not require a lot of organic material due to being enclosed. Many gardening containers such as green pots are all natural, made from all natural elements such as rice hulls and coconut fiber.

• Using only natural and organic gardening supplies such as Insecticidal Soap, Horticultural Oil or Organic Disease Control will keep your garden healthy, naturally. Organic gardening supplies leave no hazardous residue and break down naturally into the soil. Natural predators such as bats, praying mantis and ladybugs are great organic insect controls. Bat boxes are effective for keeping bats nearby and supplies shelter through the harsh winter months. Enjoying and benefiting from organic gardening is dependent upon the use of the highest quality organic gardening supplies.

• Mulch your flowerbeds and vegetable garden to retain moisture around plants. Mulch supplies your plants with much needed moisture throughout hot, sunny days. Mulching also keeps weeds away. Apply all natural worm poop fertilizer around plantings when mulching. Your organic garden will love you for it. • Create a bird habitat by placing bird houses, birdbaths and bird feeders in your yard. Birds are fun to watch and will control the insect population in a natural way. Pick a quiet section of your yard to keep a variety of birding supplies to attract birds of your choice. Bird food such as sunflower hearts and suet are great treats. • Whether you are working on your lawn, flowerbed or vegetable garden, have fun. Remember, all natural supplies will make organic gardening easier and more enjoyable. The following is a list of recommended all natural and organic gardening supplies: composter, rain barrels, organic fertilizers, push reel mower, natural gardening containers, birding supplies, natural homemade compost, These are the best equipment, tools and supplies for keeping your plants, turf and environment healthy.

Happy Gardening!

This article may be reproduced and/or distributed. This article was written by Mark & Vera Pappas, Co-owners of http://www.greennationgardens.com/?Click=23GreenNationGardens.com, suppliers of unique and eco-friendly garden supplies.

Your fruit tree must be pollinated in order to bare fruit. Some trees are self-pollinating while others need to be planted in pairs. Some trees require three trees in order to be pollinated. Ask your local nursery if self-pollinating trees are available, otherwise, let the bees do all of the work! For apple trees, a crabapple tree makes a great tree that is used solely for pollination.

When picking the site for your fruit tree, take into consideration the landscape. Nearby slopes may cause frost pockets, which will adversely affect your fruit. Wind may also stunt the growth of your fruit tree and the altitude of your garden may be better suited for certain fruits or strains.

Let’s take a look at your soil
Prepare your soil as you would for any organic garden. Enrich local soil with your own or store-bought organic compost or you can make your own with little or no cost. When selecting a fruit tree, be sure to visit a specialist or nursery in which you can examine a variety of plants for the best and strongest. You may choose to buy a potted tree or a bare-root tree to be planted in dormancy.

Despite the years that must pass before a tree bares fruit, a younger potted plant is more likely to adapt well to its new location than an older potted tree. Once adapted and healthy, the tree is more likely to bare fruit. Overall, bare rooted plants are cheaper and sturdier than their potted counterpart, but any variety will work.

It’s all about location… planting location
Trees can be grown in a variety of shapes and styles. You may choose to grow certain trees diagonally along a fence or to just let it grow wild. There are many ways to allow a fruit tree to incorporate itself naturally into your garden. Young trees usually need to be staked for support after transplantation and in this way you can choose the direction it grows in.

Tips on pruning a fruit tree
Pruning also plays a huge rule in training which way your tree grows and encouraging it to bear fruit. At the very minimum, prune your fruit tree such that there are no branches crossing eachother. However, espaliering a peach or nectarine tree against a south facing wall requires that all back and front facing branches be removed. Use gardening tape or used nylons to weight branches down and train them to grow horizontally.

Have you considered an apple tree?
Apple trees are probably one of the most common and satisfying American fruit tree. With dozens of varieties to choose from, this attractive and low-maintenance tree is a simple and rewarding addition to any organic garden. Apple trees will grow in almost any climate, can be bought in dwarf varieties for smaller gardens and can be harvested for several months.

Apple trees do have their problems, the foremost being the Apple Maggot. Apple maggots love apples as much as we do. If you have ever found a worm in your apple, it was probably an Apple Maggot. These can be taken care of by hanging sticky red balls from your apple tree in early July. The Apple Maggots will be attracted to the ornament and become stuck in it, keeping them out of your apples.

Organic Apricots
Apricot trees can be grown in many U.S. climates and produce fruits tastier and juicier than any available in the Supermarket. Apricots must be harvested carefully, as they are delicate fruits and do not have a long shelf life. Additionally, some strains of apricot trees overproduce, bending and snapping their own branches. These fertile trees must be supported by hand made ‘crutches’.

Apricot, citrus and apple trees have a common enemy in the Tent Caterpillar. These caterpillars hatch when the leaves first open. Any visible “tents” can be removed easily with a broom in the evening and squashed or drowned in soapy water. If there are too many caterpillars, use a sulfur spray on the tree periodically.

How to keep your organic fruit trees healthy
Planting a variety of local native grasses and plants around your trees can help you to avoid most harmful pests. Planting lavender bushes and other flowers near your fruit trees will encourage bees, which are necessary for pollinating your trees. The more insects there are in your garden, the healthier your fruit. There are always more beneficial insects than harmful ones.

Whether adding an ornamental dwarf apple tree to your existing garden or starting an entire orchard, growing your own organic fruit is easy and rewarding and will continue to be ‘fruitful’ for generations.

Source: The Helpful Gardener

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Economic concerns are causing Americans to take a harder look at grocery purchases. “Across the board, Americans are spending less and ‘organic versus traditional’ is a decision many people are thinking about carefully,” says Marcia Mogelonsky, Mintel’s senior analyst points out.

The research firm cites two major cost-related challenges for organic food producers: rising food prices and private-label brands. Prices for food consumed in the home increased 7 percent this past year, according to Mintel’s report. “To cope with higher prices many shoppers are simply opting not to buy pricey organic or premium brands,” says Mogelonsky.

However, there are more private-label organics brands to choose from than ever before. Mintel tracked more than 540 private-label organic food introductions in 2007, that compares to 2003 when 35 new organic products hit the market.

“We don’t expect people to completely stop buying organics,” says Mogelonsky. “We anticipate more subtle changes, such as the formerly all-organic shopper who returns to traditional cookie brands while sticking with organic produce. These small changes will slow market growth.”

One example worth noting is that Whole Foods has watched fourth-quarter profits drop, dropping to $1.5 million in the quarter ended Sept. 28, compared to $33.9 million for the same time in 2007.

John Mackey, Whole Foods’ chief executive officer told market analysts, “The unrelenting negative economic news appears to be shifting buying behavior to making fewer trips and to making more value conscious decisions.”

Source: Mintel, Meatingplace, Porkmag

The city also found unsafe levels of melamine in China-made fish feed that were used at a local farm, after a similar scare over eggs.

All this has proven to be a boom for sales of organic food. Despite tightening budgets, when it comes to high-end grocery shopping, people in Hong Kong are still willing to dish out the extra cash.

One said: “I’m always willing to pay a little more for organic food because I think it’s better for the earth, not just for people.”

“I don’t want to take any chances,” another added.

Organic products are much pricier than regular produce because no artificial additives and less chemicals are used in their processing.

Hong Kong’s largest organic food store, Three Sixty, has seen a jump in sales.

Doreen Hong, Consumer Communications Manager, Three Sixty, said: “People are focusing more on the basic needs. How do they purchase for their family? What should they do?

“And instead of spending lots of money dining out extravagantly, they may be focused on buying good quality, wholesome, nutritious and delicious food.”

The store also saw a surge in demand for organic milk and eggs after the industrial chemical melamine was found in those products from the mainland.

For those worried about food contaminated by chemicals, it seems organic is the way to go. But the problem is, there is currently no across-the-board certification law in Hong Kong.

Organic labelling is done on a voluntary basis and stores rely on food certification from the country of origin for imported goods.

The Hong Kong Organic Resource Centre said having so many different labels is confusing for consumers and a lot of them need more assurances on the safety of organic products.

Jonathan Wong, director, Hong Kong Organic Resource Centre, said: “If they bought the tomato from Malaysia and say that this is organic, and imported to Hong Kong without any labelling besides saying that it is organic, there’s no way you can prove it unless you go back to their farm or go back to their production line.”

The centre is calling on the government to establish a certification law as soon as possible.

___________
Source: CNA/so

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After several years of discussions, the major certification agencies in Europe have finally reached an agreement on harmonising their private standards for natural & organic cosmetics. Soil Association (UK), BDiH (Germany), Ecocert (France), Cosmebio (France), AIAB (Italy) and Ecogarantie (Belgium) have developed common standards for natural and organic cosmetics. The first draft of the new standards has been released for public consultation this week. The final draft will be drawn in January and certification of products will begin in April 2009.

The agreement sets minimum standards for natural cosmetics and organic cosmetics, however the agencies will still be able to develop separate standards as long as the baselines are met. The move is analogous to what has occurred in the organic food industry where the EU has minimum standards for organic agriculture and food products.

Harmonisation of standards is an important development, since the private standards of the agencies involved are the most widely adopted in the natural cosmetics industry. If the new standards receive a high take-up rate, they could possibly pave the way for common global standards. However, the lengthy discussions have led to the emergence of new standards in Europe and North America. In Europe, NaTrue is gaining momentum since its initial announcement at the Natural Beauty Summit last year. Its natural & organic cosmetic standards have received the backing of some of the leading international brands. Across the Atlantic, initiatives like NSF, OASIS and NPE are gaining ground.

With a plethora of natural & organic cosmetic standards being introduced, cosmetic manufacturers, formulators and ingredient companies are questioning the differences between these standards and their practical implications. The Natural Cosmetics Masterclass has been launched to navigate companies through the maze of natural & organic cosmetic standards, looking specifically at the technical, formulation and ingredient issues involved.

The first-ever Natural Cosmetics Masterclass will be held in London, December 4th and will comprise two interactive workshops. Major topics to be covered include demystifying standards, formulating natural & organic products, replacing synthetics, raw material sourcing, and developing new processes.

The first workshop will critically review and compare the major natural & organic cosmetic standards: the new European harmonised standards, NaTrue as well as North American private standards. The workshop will look at the practicalities of these standards, looking specifically at ingredient issues and processes.

The second workshop, Challenges in Formulating Natural & Organic Cosmetics, will focus on the major formulation and technical issues involved in making these products. The agenda includes defining natural / organic products, highlighting the synthetic chemicals typically absent in these products, and the suitability of natural alternatives. The pitfalls of formulating natural & organic cosmetics will be detailed, followed by practical solutions for product developers and formulators.

The Natural Cosmetics Masterclass will be led by Ms. Judi Beerling, Technical Consulting Manager of Organic Monitor. With over 30 years experience in cosmetic formulations and innovations, she has assisted numerous companies with natural & organic formulations and processes.

The fast-growing organic and natural food market is the highlight of the Middle East Natural & Organic Products Expo (MENOPE 2008), to be held from November 16 to 18 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Organised by Dubai-based Global Links, the event is supported by the UAE Ministry of Health and Ministry of Environment & Water.

The organic food market is growing at an estimated 20 to 25% annually. More than 175 companies from over 35 countries will showcase an array of natural foods at the expo, expected to be attended by lifestyle specialists, nutritionists, retailers and healthcare professionals.

Addressing a press conference, Eng. Nadim Al Fuqaha, Managing Director, Global Links, said: ‘Organic and natural food products are not a fad anymore; they are a lifestyle choice that is of considerable relevance in nutrition management. This is particularly relevant for the Middle East region given the high rates of lifestyle diseases such as obesity, stress, cardiac disorders and cancer, which contribute to soaring healthcare bills. The high levels of antioxidants in natural food products enable them to mitigate lifestyle disease risks.’

He added: ‘The growing interest for natural and organic food products is reflected in the response to MENOPE. There is strong participation from the UAE at the expo reiterating the locally-driven initiatives in promoting natural foods. Government authorities in the region are increasingly focusing on sustainable development initiatives in which organic farming can play a key role.’

Today, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Oman have more than 3,000 outlets for natural and organic products. Several farms in the region are setting aside resources for organic farming. Simultaneously alternative therapies like Ayurveda and herbal treatments are gaining ground, further linking lifestyles to organic foods.

With the merger of Arab Naturals Expo & Conferences, MENOPE offers a larger regional platform for the organic industry. Internationally, the exhibition is supported by the International Federation of Organic and Agricultural Movements (IFOAM) and Korea Health Supplement Association (KHSA).

The expo will showcase a variety of products including Herbs and Spices, Foods & Beverages, Cereal Products, Supplements, Health Care products, Natural Living, Natural Cosmetics, Healing Products, Natural remedies, Traditional Medicines, Spas, Relaxation facilities, Pet products and fabrics.

____________
Source: AME Info

June 20. The season starts with news of a Which? report that a panel of 120 taste testers found no differences between organic and conventional strawberries although the former cost two to three times as much. (Which? is the UK equivalent of Consumer Reports.)

July 6. Researchers at Bristol University in the UK find that organic chicken is not as tasty as conventionally-raised chicken. (Many people buy organic food because they believe it tastes better, but whenever tests are conducted scientifically, no taste differences are found.)

July 21. The American Council on Science and Health publishes an article written by me that points out chapter and verse showing that there is no scientific evidence to support claims made by the Organic Center for the nutritional superiority of organic food, an organic food advocacy group funded mainly by the organic food industry to promote its products. A reply from the Organic Center to my article is easily rebutted.

July 24. A study at the Harvard School of Public Health and published in Human Reproduction finds that soy foods may be responsible for low sperm counts. (For years, proponents of organic food have claimed that pesticides were responsible.)

July 24. An investigation by WJLA, a Washington DC TV station, finds illegal quantities of aldicarb, a very toxic pesticide, in Whole Foods’ organic ginger. Further investigations reveal that the ginger was imported from China, as were a number of other organic vegetables sold by Whole Foods. Certification of the ginger was provided by Quality Assurance International (QAI), the largest organic certifier in the world. Since the Chinese government does not permit foreigners to inspect their farms, QAI subcontracts the actual inspections to Chinese nationals.

(Air and water pollution are severe problems in China, so even food grown under strict organic conditions is not necessarily free of pollutants such as lead and mercury. Organic consumers would do better to stop worrying about infinitesimally small residues of pesticides in their food and demand that food from China be tested for environmental pollutants before being sold in the United States.)

August 1. Another article I wrote, “Milking the Facts,” is published in the Guardian. The article shows that in spite of the large percentage increases in “healthy” milk nutrients found in milk from cows raised organically at Newcastle University, health-conscious consumers would need to drink up to 170 quarts of saturated-fat-laden organic milk every day to avail themselves of healthful quantities of all these nutrients.

August 4. In a welcome respite from the drumbeat of bad news, Hotel Interactive reports organic liquor is “poised” to be the next food and beverage trend. (Organic cigarettes will probably follow.)

August 6. The Organic Consumers Association (OCA), a pro-organic food advocacy group, issues an alert that fifteen of the thirty organic certifiers inspected by the United States Department of Agriculture failed the audit. (Organic consumers should take heart, however, if they think one out of two isn’t that bad.)

August 6. Whole Foods announces a 31% decline in third-quarter profits from a year earlier. The shares close at $20.04 on the New York Stock Exchange, about 72% below their price at the start of 2007.

August 8. Tesco, the largest seller of organic food in the UK, announces price reductions of up to 25% for certain organic foods because of growing consumer resistance to high prices.

August 8. Research conducted at the University of Copenhagen demonstrates “no clear difference in the vitamin and mineral content of crops grown organically and those using legally permitted levels of fertilizers and pesticides.”

August 9. An article in the Calgary Herald raises serious questions about the accountability and credibility of claims by Canadian organic food proponents.

August 9. Health officials in Massachusetts link seven illnesses from E. Coli contamination of ground beef sold at Whole Foods markets. According to news reports, Whole Foods purchased this meat from Coleman Natural Foods, a company that, according to its website, “offers a full line of natural and organic fresh meat and prepared foods.” The moral of this story is clear. E. coli contamination is difficult to control in the meat packing industry, and it doesn’t seem to make much difference if the meat is organic or conventional. Breakouts of this dangerous organism, which can cause kidney failure and death (mostly in children and the aged), have occurred repeatedly. Isn’t it time that the organic food industry drops its ill-conceived opposition to food irradiation?

August 17. Phil Woolas, the environment minister of the UK, challenges the Prince of Wales to provide evidence that genetically modified foods are a “disaster” and states that government ministers have a responsibility to base policy on science. (And not monarchical pseudo-science.)

August 19. Nina Federoff, a Professor of Biology at the University of Pennsylvania and recipient of the prestigious National Medal of Science, tells the New York Times, “If everbody switched to organic farming, we couldn’t support the earth’s current population — maybe half.”

August 21. The FDA, at long last, permits irradiation of spinach and iceberg lettuce despite organic food industry objections. (According to the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, irradiation of organic food is illegal. Now consumers who think that organic food is healthier will have to choose between, on one hand, the theoretical risks from pesticides in food and genetically modified organisms — there being not one case of proven human illness from them — and, on the other hand, food poisoning, which is estimated by the Centers for Disease Control to cause about 76 million illnesses and 5,000 deaths every year.)

September 4. Time magazine claims that if American agriculture went completely organic we would need 40 million instead of 1 million farmers to feed us.

September 8. Sir David King, president of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, castigates aid agencies in the US and Western Europe for encouraging African farmers to continue use of organic agricultural techniques — “with devastating consequences.”

Literatured by Joseph D. Rosen, Ph.D.
Source: ACSH.org