9 Essential Practices for Organic Gardeners

This article from Bonnie Plants tells you the 9 essential things to do if you grow organically in your garden.

9 Essential Practices for Organic Gardeners

Hanging Basket Update

Bought a new hanging basket and added violas to it.  Also planted Johnny Jump Ups in one of my other hanging baskets.  

Seeds Started Today

Today was a productive day!!  I got some seeds started and I am getting excited for them to sprout and then be ready to transplant to the garden!! Today I planted the following seeds: 

1. Sugar Snap Peas
2. Leeks
3. Walla Walla Onions
4. Spring Salad Mix
5. Red Lettuce
6. Lettuce
7. Orange Peppers
8. Detroit Red Beets
9. Spinach
10. Broccoli
11. Cauliflower 
12. Cabbage
13. Celery

I specifically planted these seeds based on my growing season zone, frost dates, and the seeds germination time.  

11 Mosquito Repelling Plants

Here are 11 of the best plants to repel mosquitoes.  Which ones are you planting this year?  I am going to try to plant all 11!

1. Citronella
2. Lemon Balm
3. Catnip
4. Marigolds
5. Basil
6. Lavender
7. Peppermint
8. Garlic
9. Pennyroyal
10. Rosemary
11. Geranium

For more information on each plant see this website: http://www.naturallivingideas.com/11-plants-that-repel-mosquitoes/

Save the Bees

Found this awesome graphic from Planet Natural!!! Save the Bees!

How To Grow Organically

This is one of the best articles I have read this week about how to grow your garden organically...no harsh chemicals! Definitely worth the read!!!

http://www.planetnatural.com/organic-gardening-guru/

Gardening Checklist

I started reading this handbook this weekend and it is amazing! I would highly recommend adding this to your gardening resource library! This book takes your last expected frost dates and then you fill in the weeks based on that date.  I already feel behind but I am working on catching up with all the tasks I need to do for the garden this year. I will be posting about the items I need to do and/or am doing!! I can hardly wait to fill this book with all the anecdotes from my garden this year so that I can continue to learn and grow as a gardener!!!

Genius Cheat Sheet For Gardeners Tells Where And When To Plant Your Vegetables

This is the best infographic around!!! You must use it for the best gardens!!

Find the real sized one at: lhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/30/growing-vegetables-home-garden-cheat-sheet_n_5630136.html

Starting An Herb Garden

I love fresh herbs!  I have a few that I am growing but am planning on expanding my herb garden this year.  Here is a great article that can help you start your own or fine tune the one you have!

http://commonsensehome.com/getting-started-herb-gardening/