Natural Gardener's Guide to Organic Gardening

More and more people are choosing organic gardening methods because they no longer want to use toxic pesticides and herbicides around their children and pets, and do not want to poison our environment. But there is another reason to go organic: it works! Organic gardening methods work in cooperation with the complex science of nature to enhance the growth of our plants. Organic gardening methods give our plants just what they need, increasing growth and production in our landscapes, gardens and lawns. The main principles behind organics are simple! Follow these steps for a healthier, more beautiful garden and landscape. Have questions? Just ask us!

Start with compost.
Compost improves soil texture, drainage, and water-holding capacity. High quality compost also adds nutrients and beneficial microorganisms. These beneficial microbes make nutrients available to plants and help prevent disease.

• When planting trees and shrubs, add compost as a topdressing, which can be mixed in to the top 4 inches of soil as well. Use only native soil in the planting hole.
• On lawns, add 1/4 inches to 1/2 inches of good quality compost on top every spring and/or fall.
• Add 1 inches to 2 inches on top of flower and vegetable beds, and on the root zones of trees and shrubs.
• To create new flower and vegetable beds, mix in up to 40% compost with no less than 60% native soil.

Wherever new soil needs to be added to an area, use a weed-free, compost-rich soil blend. We have many composts and compost-rich soils from which to choose, in bags and/or bulk.

Lady Bug Revitalizer Compost
Manure Compost
Lady Bug Hill Country Garden Soil
Rose Soil
Dr. Gobbler Turkey Manure Compost
Soil Mender Compost, Mulch, and Blend
Aerobically Brewed Compost Tea

Use organic fertilizers, amendments, and supplements.
Recent studies conducted by Texas AandM University, on behalf of the City of Austin Grow Green Program, proved that organic fertilizers do not pollute our groundwater, as chemical fertilizers do. Organic fertilizers also outperformed others in producing better inches color and density. inches Organic gardeners have known for years that plants perform better when given long-lasting, organic fertilizers. Choose from the following products for great results.

Lady Bug 8-2-4 Lawn and Garden Fertilizer
Rabbit Hill Farm Buds and Blooms, Minerals Plus, Greensand, and more!
Alaska and Neptune's Harvest Fish Fertilizers
Maxicrop Seaweed and Seaweed plus Iron
Lady Bug John's Recipe and Terra Tonic
Medina Soil Activator and Medina Plus
... and many more!

Mulch bare soil.
Mulching at least 3 inches deep helps to prevent weeds, conserves moisture, regulates soil temperature and helps prevent disease. Choose from the following mulches, available bagged and/or bulk:

Texas Native Mulch
Shredded Cedar Mulch
Landscaper's Mulch
Pine Bark Mulch
Pine Straw Mulch
Sylvan™ Formula

Choose native and well-adapted plants.
Native plants are easier to maintain, use less water, and are less prone to disease and insect attack. Find out more from the staff of The Natural Gardener, and by consulting the following resources.

Native Texas Plants by Sally and Andy Wasowski
Plants for Texas by Howard Garrett
Gardening Success With Difficult Soils by Scott Ogden
Texas Wildscapes by Noreen Damude and Kelly Conrad Bender
Garden Guide for Austin and Vicinity by Travis County Master Gardener Association
Visit Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and their web site www.wildflower.org

Water carefully.
Using native plants and mulching properly greatly reduces the amount of water needed in the landscape. In general, it is better to water deeply and less frequently than shallowly and often. Along with mulch, consider the following products for more efficient watering.

Soaker hoses
Submatic drip irrigation systems
Dramm water equipment

Control weeds organically.
Most weeds grow best in poor soil. Improving soil texture and fertility and increasing soil microbial activity can thwart weeds. Also, weeds can't get a foothold if bare soil is mulched. For better weed control, ask about the following products.

20% Vinegar
Corn Gluten
Weeds, Control Without Poisons by Charles Walters

Preserve beneficial organisms.
Beneficial soil microorganisms, as well as visible critters like earthworms, support plant life and ward off diseases. Beneficial insects and other critters in the garden, such as ladybugs, lacewings, ground beetles, spiders, lizards, birds, wasps, and garden snakes, help to keep pest insect populations in check. Learn to identify garden allies and protect them. Do this by avoiding chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and using even organic pesticides sparingly, if at all. Identify pest species and consider attracting wildlife and beneficial insects with the help of the following resources.

Texas Wildscapes by Noreen Damude and Kelly Conrad Bender
Texas Bug Book by Howard Garrett
A Field Guide to Common Texas Insects by Drees and Jackman
Safer Brand Ladybug Lures