| Since I can remember, I have always loved to get | | | | many home remedies for making your own organic |
| my hands dirty in the garden. I can still remember | | | | compost. I'm not going to touch on that because its |
| growing my first pea plant and anxiously watching | | | | not the route that I take to organicville. |
| everyday for that little sprout to get going. It always | | | | You can start a compost pile somewhere in your |
| fascinated me how such a delicate sprout could, with | | | | backyard but it brings in to many pest for my garden |
| the proper care, become a strong, vibrant plant that | | | | so I buy my nutrients all ready broke down and |
| will produce delicious fruits. | | | | packaged for easy storage. For a small price I get all |
| The garden has always been of great Importance to | | | | I need bottled up and ready for easy application. I |
| me. It can be a point of pride or - if its in poor repair | | | | use, but not limited to Foxfarm hydroponic plant |
| - a source of embarrassment. For these reasons, and | | | | food. Now i'm an old dirt warrior but I love the |
| because a garden is such an Important investment, it | | | | easiness of the bottled nutrients. Just because it says |
| only makes sense to provide all the tender loving | | | | hydroponic plant food doesnt mean we can use it on |
| care that you can give. | | | | our soil. It works so well for me that i'm sure that I |
| Sometimes this is easier said than done, because | | | | will never try anything else. All the directions are on |
| gardening is so complex, right? | | | | the bottles and easy to follow. |
| Wrong! | | | | Get your garden going with Grow Big, Foxfarm's |
| Anyone who has the desire to grow plants can do it. | | | | fast-acting, water-soluble fertilizer for lush, |
| Whether it be fruits and veggies for eating or | | | | vegetative, compact growth. Use Grow Big early in |
| beautiful flowers to decorate your home. Growing a | | | | the season when young plants need an extra boost. |
| garden is a simple thing when you educate yourself | | | | They add earthworm castings and Norwegian kelp |
| first. You should do research on any species of plant | | | | into this special brew to encourage sturdier, healthier |
| that you want to grow so that you will be ready and | | | | stems and leaves, but they also provide enough |
| able to address any issues that may come at you | | | | nutrients and trace minerals to create the kind of |
| along the way. I'm going to touch on the basics of | | | | healthy branching that you'll need later in the season |
| growing your own garden. It will be entirely up to | | | | for more abundant buds and blooms. |
| you to do the research on any other particular | | | | Garden Tip: Allow new plantings a few days to settle |
| species other than what is mentioned in this article. | | | | in, then begin using at the rate of two teaspoons per |
| Lighting | | | | gallon of water every other time you water. You can |
| Being a gardener, the winters have always been the | | | | also use Grow Big as a foliar feeding, applying to both |
| toughest times for me. I'm not sure if its cabin fever | | | | sides of leaves, preferably early in the morning. At |
| or just a need to make things grow. In some parts | | | | the first sign of flowering, switch to Tiger Bloom |
| of the United States, it isn't an issue, but, in | | | | Liquid Plant Food. |
| Kentucky, the winters can be very harsh, making it | | | | Ready to bloom? Tiger Bloom makes it happen. This |
| impossible to grow outdoors. | | | | is an ultra-potent, fast-acting, high-phosphorus |
| With the evolution of CFL technology ( compact | | | | fertilizer with just enough nitrogen to sustain healthy, |
| fluorescent lamp ), it has become very affordable to | | | | vigorous green growth during flowering. The low pH |
| move my garden indoors. The CFL's remind me of | | | | keeps it stable and ensures that the micronutrient's |
| aquarium lighting and uses about as much energy. I | | | | will be available when plants need them. In addition to |
| use New Wave T5 High Output Fluorescent Lights in | | | | containing critical trace minerals,Foxfarm brews their |
| my garden with grand results. | | | | liquid fertilizer with earthworm castings and kelp meal |
| These new high output fluorescent lamps have an | | | | for a biologically active formula. |
| extremely high lumen per watt rating compared to | | | | Garden tip: Use Tiger Bloom at the first sign of |
| standard fluorescent bulbs, making them extremely | | | | flowering at the rate of 2-3 teaspoons per gallon of |
| suitable for indoor cultivation purposes. | | | | water. It can also be used as a foliar fertilizer; just |
| High-output florescent lamps have a very low heat | | | | apply it to both sides of leaves early in the morning. |
| factor which allows the fixture to be mounted | | | | To extend flowering or fruiting, add their Big Bloom |
| extremely close to the plant canopy, thus increasing | | | | liquid fertilizer late in the season. |
| usable light levels. The New Wave T5 features a | | | | I also use an all purpose deodorized fish emulsion. |
| wide throw reflector lined with Imported german | | | | This will give you a measured dose of nitrogen to |
| 95% reflective aluminum to drive every available | | | | get you through for a few weeks. |
| lumen of light to your plants. Light output is 300% | | | | Alaska Fish Fertilizer contains over 19 trace elements |
| higher in this high-tech reflector compared to cheap | | | | and 11 different vitamins, including vitamins B-1 and |
| fluorescent fixtures. | | | | B-12. Deodorized for use on all indoor and outdoor |
| I keep my lights very close to the tops of the plants | | | | plants. Often combined with Maxicrop to enhance |
| and my young sprouts are in no danger of being | | | | performance. It will not burn the plants. |
| burned or dried out by the heat. And it gives you | | | | Root Development |
| peace of mind knowing that there isn't as much of a | | | | This is probably the most important part of your |
| chance for fire like there is with heavier, hotter, high | | | | plants development. Without a large, healthy root |
| output metal halide lamps. | | | | system, your plant will be starved of vital nutrients |
| When your vegetative area starts getting a little | | | | and will produce a small harvest that will hardly be |
| larger, or when you are growing plants larger than 24 | | | | worth your time. The bigger and healthier the root, |
| inches tall, you may find it time to purchase a metal | | | | the bigger and healthier the plant. These two things |
| halide for your indoor garden. | | | | go hand in hand. |
| Metal Halide plant lamp systems produce a strong | | | | So, I like to focus from seedling, on taking care of |
| output of the blue spectrum, which will promote | | | | the root system and giving it delicate nutrients to |
| strong vegetative growth. This blue spectrum is most | | | | boost its growth. This will ensure that my garden will |
| needed by plants for rapid growth. It's the best type | | | | produce large tomatoes and other vegetables. I use |
| of light to be used as a primary light source (if little | | | | Maxicrop liquid seaweed for extra minerals and to |
| or no natural sunlight is available). If you are growing | | | | bulk up my roots. |
| leafy plants such as lettuce or herbs then a Metal | | | | Maxicrop Liquid Seaweed (Kelp Extract) |
| Halide bulb is sufficient. Metal halide plant growth lamp | | | | Derived from fresh Norwegian kelp (Ascophyllum |
| systems can be used as the primary light source to | | | | nodosum), Maxicrop Kelp contains over 70 minerals, |
| grow plants from start to finish. | | | | micronutrients, amino acids and vitamins. Also contains |
| The T5 replacement lamps sell for about $17 each | | | | growth regulators which stimulate vigorous root |
| (TL5 HO/54W/865) or $68 for four, while the HID | | | | development and plant growth. Encourages tolerance |
| bulb can go for about $85 for MH (MS 1000 hor) or | | | | to plant stresses such as frost, pests, disease and |
| $120 (LU100S/HTL/EN hortlux) or $100 (LU1000 | | | | drought. |
| standard). The amount of light you can put on the | | | | Last, but not least I use Earth Juice, a catalyst I give |
| plants will depend to a much greater extent on the | | | | my plants and it increases how much the plants can |
| distance that the leaves are from the plant than the | | | | take in. If you can get more of your nutrients in, |
| fixture. The kind of light you want depends on the | | | | your plants are sure to be full. |
| kind of plants you have. | | | | Earth Juice Catalyst |
| The Metal Halide will give you more foliage, the High | | | | The crucial link, is a versatile and vital product for the |
| Pressure Sodium will induce bloom but draw the | | | | home, farm and anyone who wants to optimize their |
| plants out longer. Depending on the natural heat and | | | | plants and trees nutrient uptake for increased growth |
| light conditions where you are growing, the heat | | | | and yields. Catalyst provides whats missing - |
| output from the HID lights can help keep the growing | | | | enzymes, hormones, vitamins, amino acids, nutrients, |
| space warmer. This can be a consideration especially | | | | and surfactants that aid in stimulating overall plant |
| when you are spending good money on heat. | | | | growth and production. Best when used in |
| Depending on how far North you are, it can be very | | | | conjunction with organic or synthetic liquid and dry |
| difficult to get plants to bloom in a greenhouse in the | | | | fertilizers. |
| dead of winter. You can, however, mature fruit | | | | Do not use with synthetic time-released fertilizers. A |
| which has already set. | | | | great organic alternative to synthetic B-1 formulas |
| So, the answer is that every decision is a trade off. | | | | and growth boosters. Use as an organic cloning |
| Make up your own mind. | | | | solution for soft-stem cuttings. |
| HID Lighting Helpful Tips | | | | Air circulation and Exhaust |
| Hanging height: Due to the heat that is emitted from | | | | Air circulation - Its very important to provide your |
| these types of fixtures, you should hang them | | | | garden with fresh air. An oscillating fan will usually be |
| according to size. Smaller wattage systems (100 and | | | | enough to provide fresh air and to provide some sort |
| 250) should be hung about 2 to 3 feet from the top | | | | of exhaust as long as your garden is in the open. If |
| of the plants. Medium wattage systems (400 and | | | | you grow your garden in a closet or a similar small |
| 600) should be hung around 4 feet from the top of | | | | space, be sure to leave the door open as much as |
| the plants. High wattage systems (1000 and up) | | | | possible. This will ensure proper ventilation and your |
| should be placed at least 4 to 6 feet from the plant | | | | garden will do well. |
| tops. | | | | Good air circulation is essential for a good, strong |
| How long should lights run? This depends on the type | | | | garden. The motion of the air will cause your plants |
| of plant. Most plants and vegetables need about 10 | | | | to have fat stalks and be able to support larger fruit. |
| to 12 hours of light to promote growth. Plants that | | | | I wont spend too much more time on this subject. |
| produce fruits or flowers will show improvement with | | | | Just go buy a fan and provide some fresh air for |
| up to 16 hours a day of supplemental light. | | | | your garden. It will love you for it! |
| Light Emmiting Diode (L.E.D.) - I'm interested to see if | | | | Try to buy a fan that oscillates, It will give you more |
| these lights will be the lights of the future.The basic | | | | option than a stationary. Making sure to hit every |
| idea is that a growing plant uses only a narrow band | | | | part of your garden. |
| of the lighting spectrum for chlorophyll production. Up | | | | Your light will depend on how much exhaust your |
| to now the only choice has been CFL, Sodium or | | | | garden will require. The heat from some lamps need |
| Halide lights which both produce a very wide band of | | | | to be directed out of the garden area immediately. I |
| lighting and less than 10% of a Sodium or Halide | | | | have included some Pictures to give you a better |
| lamps output is actually used by the plant. | | | | idea about exhaust fans.These exhaust systems are |
| With the advent of LED lighting, they can custom | | | | not necessary with CFL's or LED's. |
| tailor the output of the lamp to match exactly the | | | | Temperature and Humidity Control |
| band of light required for Chlorophyll production! This | | | | Temperature & Humidity Control - Keeping an |
| means that almost 100% of the power input for LED | | | | eye out for your temperature and humidity can help |
| GROW LIGHTs is used for plant production. | | | | prevent unwanted pest, mold, mildew, and over - |
| Another great benefit of the LED GROW LIGHT is | | | | heating. Most plants grow well between 70 and 80 |
| the very small amount of heat produced. The l.e.d. | | | | degrees and, I like to keep my humidity around 50%, |
| grow lights operate completely cool to the touch and | | | | but, it will depend on your choice of plant life. |
| plants can actually grow right up to the fixture, try | | | | I use this EcoPlus thermometer / hygrometer. They |
| that with any Sodium or Metal Halide lamp. | | | | are really inexpensive and will save you a lot of |
| 1) No fans required for cooling | | | | headache later. They are usually around $25.00.o |
| 2) No heat damage to plants | | | | Perfect for constant temperature monitoring of a |
| 3) No high temperature lights to worry about | | | | garden.o Measures indoor/outdoor temperature |
| Also, the LED GROW LIGHT does not require a | | | | & indoor humidity.o Stores the Min./Max. values |
| ballast and simply plugs into any standard household | | | | of the indoor/outdoor temperature and indoor |
| outlet. These lights have a rated life of over 100,000 | | | | humidity.o Switch between °C and °F.o |
| hours! (there are 8,760 hours in a year). | | | | Clock function with alarmo 12/24 hour mode switcho |
| BLUE LIGHT is important for the formation of | | | | Water proof temperature probe |
| chlorophyll, chloroplast development (chloroplast are | | | | Really hot conditions can result in dry soil and your |
| the little organs inside cells where photosynthesis | | | | plants wilting away. |
| takes place, more of them = more photosynthesis = | | | | Pest Control |
| more plant growth), also, photosynthesis circadian | | | | Pest Control - There are some really good organic |
| rhythm (knowing when lights are on and off - related | | | | pest killers and prevention products on the market |
| to flowering too) and the production of some | | | | but, I have found that a combination of cleanliness |
| enzymes in plants is controlled by blue light. In land | | | | and preventive maintenance are the best avenues |
| plants, a decrease in blue light also might signal to a | | | | for a pest free garden. |
| leaf that it is a shade leaf... meaning it thinks it is not | | | | Be sure to clean your grow area before planting the |
| in good light, so it won't make chloroplasts, which | | | | first seed. A couple of teaspoons of bleach in a gallon |
| means no matter how many photons of light hit that | | | | of water should do the trick. Spray your grow area |
| leaf it will not produce the maximum amount of | | | | down well and wipe dry.Pay special attention to the |
| energy that it could. | | | | corners, making sure to get every bit of dust and |
| RED LIGHT stimulates phytochrome responses such | | | | dirt. |
| as stem elongation, flowering, and other plant | | | | I like to follow up with Safer Brand insect killing soap |
| morphology changes. | | | | that is all organic. This stuff keeps all the little guys |
| HPS lights have more yellow/red which is why they | | | | away! It is best used as a preventative measure to |
| lead to elongated stems, and great flowering. Red | | | | ward off insects that might want to eat your lovely |
| light can increase starch accumulation in some plants | | | | plant friends. It contains seaweed extract to keep |
| (that is like animals gaining fat, extra energy). | | | | plants healthy and combat stress. |
| It Can be used by itself to grow plants or to | | | | An OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) organic |
| supplement HPS (High Pressure Sodium), MH (Metal | | | | product, which means you're not spraying your leafy |
| Halide) or Fluorescent Grow Lights. | | | | friends with toxins, unfriendly to either you or your |
| Light Emitting Diode (L.E.D.) technology is the absolute | | | | plant. Made from plant oils, the soap gets rid of |
| newest technology in plant growth. These lights | | | | unwanted insects by disrupting their waxy outer skin |
| represent the cutting edge of horticultural lighting. | | | | (beneficial insects such as ladybugs and praying |
| LED lights are currently being used by NASA for | | | | mantis are hard-bodied and not affected by the |
| growing plants in outer space! | | | | soap). |
| Planning and Strategy | | | | Keeping Safer's on hand will ensure that your garden |
| Planning and strategy are obviously important for a | | | | is a pest free environment, enabling your plants to |
| healthy garden. Make sure to have sufficient lighting, | | | | grow to their fullest capacity.Here are a few |
| proper soil with good drainage, good nutrients, fresh | | | | examples of the pest that can ravage your garden. |
| air, room to grow, and a quality water supply.This will | | | | Fungus, Molds, and Mildew Control |
| ensure a healthy garden that will pay you back for all | | | | Fungus, Molds, and Mildew - This is another instance |
| your hard work and patience.You should plan for | | | | where I believe that Safer Brand is the best choice |
| plenty of grow room. Before long, your garden will be | | | | for my garden. I use their Garden Fungicide for my |
| lush, and may become difficult to care for if there | | | | entire grow area. I would suggest spraying your |
| isn't enough space for you to water. | | | | grow area down with Safer before planting. This will |
| Make a list, depending on how big you want your | | | | kill any lingering mold or mildew that can harm your |
| garden and what you want to grow. Be sure to ask | | | | plants. |
| questions at your local garden center. The people | | | | I believe that with the proper care and preventive |
| who work at garden centers generally are very | | | | maintenance, you can stop these problems from |
| knowledgeable about all aspects of growing. | | | | ever occurring. Just remember.....Keep your work area |
| So, make a list, Check it twice, And lets get growing! | | | | clean and find a good organic product to keep on |
| The Organic gardener | | | | hand and your end result will be a grow area that |
| Organic grow mediums - I always start my seeds in | | | | you can be proud of and it will produce a bounty for |
| Bio-dome. Bio-dome make germination a breeze with | | | | you repeatedly. |
| a climate controlled environment. Everything you need | | | | Sing to your plants! |
| to get your seeds going can be bought in a | | | | I know it sounds crazy but they love it! You could |
| inexpensive kit at your local garden center or you | | | | whistle or just make a point to breath on your plants |
| can pick one up at wal-mart for around four bucks. | | | | everyday. You could buy an expensive Co2 emitter |
| Tip: Get a spray bottle and mist your seedlings often. | | | | but, for a small indoor garden, your breath will be |
| As your plants grow, they will benefit from an | | | | plenty of Co2 to make a difference. |
| occasional misting. | | | | Here is a report about the importance of Co2 that I |
| Once your seeds have sprouted, you can move | | | | found on the internet: |
| them from the bio-dome and plant them into | | | | The Importance of Carbon Dioxide (Co2) for Healthy |
| individual containers. | | | | Plant Growth |
| *This is very important: | | | | Carbon Dioxide (CO2) contributes to plant growth as |
| Be sure to place in containers that drain well. If your | | | | part of the miracle of nature known as |
| soil or containers do not drain well, it will be difficult | | | | photosynthesis. This enables plants to combine |
| for their roots to grow big and strong which in turn | | | | Carbon Dioxide and water with the aid of light energy |
| will deprive your plant of important nutrients and | | | | to form sugar. Some of these sugars are converted |
| oxygen, resulting in lanky plants with small fruits and, | | | | into complex compounds that increase dry solid plant |
| given enough time, will cause disease and unwanted | | | | substances for continued growth to final maturity. |
| pest. | | | | However, when the supply of carbon dioxide is cut |
| I always fill my containers with Foxfarm soil. The | | | | off, or reduced, the complex plant cell structure |
| ultimate potting soil - everything your plants need, in | | | | cannot utilize the suns energy fully and growth or |
| one bag. With their powerhouse blend of earthworm | | | | development is curtailed. |
| castings, bat guano, and sea going fish and crab meal. | | | | Although carbon dioxide is one of three main |
| Composted forest humus, sandy loam, and sphagnum | | | | components which combine to produce the products |
| peat moss give Foxfarm its light, aerated texture. | | | | necessary for plant growth, the amount of carbon |
| Start with Foxfarm and watch your plants come to | | | | dioxide in the air is only 0.03% (250 to 330 parts per |
| life! | | | | million). This compares to 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen |
| I like to add a little perlite to my mix for even better | | | | and 0.97% trace gases in normal air. Numerous tests |
| drainage. | | | | have proven that during the winter months carbon |
| Watering properly - This is one of the most common | | | | dioxide concentrations inside greenhouses is invariably |
| problems with gardeners. I know that it was | | | | much lower than in outside air. This same |
| frustrating for me until i learned the trick to keeping | | | | phenomenon has been shown in controlled |
| my plants watered well without overdoing it. If you | | | | environment gardens. |
| only take one thing from this article with you to your | | | | CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) - IMPROVES PLANT |
| garden...take this tip! | | | | GROWTH AND QUALITY |
| Stick your finger in the soil, about two knuckles deep. | | | | Research has shown that in most cases rate of plant |
| Check for moisture. | | | | growth under otherwise identical growing conditions is |
| If its moist, you will feel it. | | | | directly related to carbon dioxide concentration. |
| Give it another day. | | | | The amount of carbon dioxide a plant requires to |
| If its too dry, it will be difficult to break the soil very | | | | grow may vary from plant to plant, but tests show |
| deep. | | | | that most plants will stop growing when the CO2 |
| Do not have a watering schedule without knowing if | | | | level decreases below 150 ppm. Even at 220 ppm, a |
| your plants need watering or not. Water just enough | | | | slow-down in plant growth is significantly noticeable. |
| for your plant to consume within 30 minutes or so. | | | | Colorado State University conducted tests with |
| This will help prevent root rot and allow your roots | | | | carnations and other flowers in controlled CO2 |
| to absorb oxygen. The end result will be a huge root | | | | atmospheres ranging from 200 to 550 ppm. The |
| mass that will supply your plants with all the nutrients | | | | higher CO2 concentrations significantly increased the |
| they need to produce the goodies that we all love so | | | | rate of formation of dry plant matter, total flower |
| much. | | | | yield and market value. |
| *Tip: The quality of water is of great importance. If | | | | So basically, Co2, will help in making your fruits and |
| you only have a tap water source, be sure to set | | | | flowers bigger and better. It will make all the |
| your water out in containers for at least 24 hrs. | | | | difference to talk, sing, breath or whistle to your |
| before watering. This will give the chlorine and other | | | | plants |
| harmful elements time to dissipate. Using chlorinated | | | | And, you could supplement your singing with a Co2 |
| tap water will destroy vital microbes that help feed | | | | boost kit. You can pick one up from $75.00 - $150.00 |
| your plants. | | | | from many different suppliers over the internet. This |
| Nutrients - You cant just rely on good soil for your | | | | would make all the difference in the world! Highly |
| nutrients. The truth is that most of your nutrients | | | | Recommended for Larger Gardens!!! |
| that come in your soil will be used up within a few | | | | So, Enjoy your new garden, and make sure to have |
| weeks. You will need to supplement your soil | | | | fun with it. With the proper care and a little patience, |
| depending on your plant variety. If you do a simple | | | | your garden will pay you back repeatedly. |
| word search for homemade fertilizers, you will find | | | | |