Welcome to the HealthierOrganics blog!  
   

This website is dedicated to organic gardening, though I may be inclined to include all things organic, green or natural as the fancy strikes.

Mind you, I’m no eco-warrior; I don’t examine every little step I take and research everything I bring into my house for its suitability/sustainability, as I know some folks do.  In previous years I’ve been profligate with my resources and heedless of consequences.

So what’s changed?  The Earth has.  I have.  The times, they are a’changin’.

I’m just a mother who’d like to pass on a livable world to my kids.  I want to live a more sustainable life.  Don't you? 

9/8/2010 @ 9:07:24 am by healthierorganics.com

How to Grow Basil

There are many different plants that people like to grow for when they cook. This includes different spices that people like to cook with. For example, many people may like to plant basil. People, especially the ones who like to cook, like to grow basil because they can grow it inside and out, as long as the plants are cared for properly.

Basil has many steps for growing. One of the most important things when growing this spice is to make sure that it gets enough water and sunlight, and you must also make sure that you have enough space in the soil to plant your seeds. When growing basil, it is also important to grow this plant in the right season so it will not be too late or too early to grow them.

Basil can be grown indoors and out. When growing basil indoors, you must do the same things that you would do outside, but instead of planting the seed in the ground, you plant it in a container. Caring for this herb is also very important in order for it to grow properly. It is a very good idea to keep the spice at a low height so that it contains more flavor, instead of letting it grow tall with less flavor than a small plant. It is also very important to water your plant and make sure it has plenty of sunlight. If these steps are followed, you will most likely have a successful basil garden.

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9/7/2010 @ 9:23:23 am by healthierorganics.com

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are considered the most perfect food for a healthful diet. Tomatoes contain vitamins A, C, B2, and B6. Tomatoes also contain copper, potassium, niacin, chromium, iron, magnesium, riboflavin, protein, lycopene, chromium, folate, and fiber. Tomatoes contain a very high content of lycopene which prevents cancerous cells from forming. Studies show that lycopene can also reduce the risk of of cancer cells forming in the colon, stomach, prostate, lungs, pancreas, breast, and prevents problems that can cause endometrial cancer.

Tomatoes are a botanical fruit that is also considered a vegetable for culinary purposes. Tomatoes vary in size and color, but red medium sized tomatoes are the most popular. Some cultivators produce tomatoes in an array of colors such as yellow, orange, pink, purple, green, black, white, multicolored, and striped. The size of tomatoes most often seen in markets arrange from tomberry through grape, cherry, plum, and large beefsteak sizes.

Growing tomatoes can be easy and fun, and is a popular gardening pastime for many Americans. Many Americans grow tomatoes in their planters, flower beds, or in large pots on their patios. Rooftop gardens in large cities often contain tomato pots for city dwellers to grow tomatoes for their personal uses. Unlike most other vegetables, growing tomatoes allows freedom to choose where one desires to plant them, and there are hundreds of varieties to choose from. The website GrowingTomato.com has information to help grow delicious tomatoes.

Tomatoes are the best selling vegetable or fruit in the United States, and can be referred to as a vegetable or fruit. Cooking tomatoes decreases the acidity, and the sweetness and lycopene are increased. When choosing canned tomatoes they should be processed in the United States due to higher preparation standards.

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9/6/2010 @ 9:23:23 am by healthierorganics.com

Growing Potatoes

The potato, mashed, fried, or baked, is one of the most popular tubers, and among the largest food crops in the world. The United States produced 50 billion pounds of potatoes in 2007. Growing potatoes in your home garden is a simple process when certain rules are followed. Potato plants are big feeders, so be prepared to add a good dose of well-rotted manure and organic fertilizer. Be sure not to overuse nitrogen.

Potatoes need full sun and prefer light, loose soil. They also prefer loam that is well drained and moisture retaining. Potatoes can be planted in early spring when the soil can be tilled. Be aware of current temperatures, as potatoes will not begin to grow until the soil temperature is 45 degrees Fahrenheit. To protect them against light frost, position a loose covering of straw or a plastic tent over them. Be sure to remove the cover when the sun appears.

Potatoes are most often planted in rows. Begin by digging a trench 4 inches wide by 6-8 inches deep. Plant your seeds 15 inches apart along the trench, then top them with 3-4 inches of soil. Temperature will dictate when the sprouts emerge, but it should generally be around two weeks. When they do emerge add another 3-4 inches of loose soil. When the plants reach 8 inches, again add soil to half-way up the stem. Continue adding loose soil each week. You want to be certain enough soil is over the developing potatoes so that they don’t emerge above the soil and become exposed to light. Harvest potatoes 2-3 weeks after they finish flowering. Loosen the soil and gently pull from the bottom of the plant.

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9/5/2010 @ 9:23:23 am by healthierorganics.com

Growing Organic Carrots

For the gardeners out there, you know there's nothing better than the taste of the produce you grew yourself. However, for the beginners, there are some tips that may help you grow your favorite fruits or veggies. If you want yummy carrots, grow them yourself. You won't believe the difference!

Carrots come in different sizes, shapes, and colors, so you may be able to sneak this veggie into your child's diet without them even realizing it's a carrot. To grow them, start with nice, loose soil, without rocks or hard soil. If your ground has a lot of clay, you'll need to add sand or other soil to make it better for growing carrots, or you may end up with carrots that aren't as appealing. When planting carrots, some compost added to the soil helps them grow the way they should. The seeds can either be lightly covered or not at all. After watering, they can be mulched to keep soil moist. When they get about three inches high, thin them out so they have more space to grow.

Watch your carrots, for they can be ruined by the carrot root fly. However, if you plant carrots near onions, the fly won't bother with your carrots. Also, fertilizer with a lot of nitrogen shouldn't be given to carrots. They do well with fish emulsion, however. Actually, if you add compost before planting and mulch, your carrots should do well. Make sure you don't leave them in the ground past maturity, for they don't have a good taste. Finding the perfect carrot for your garden may take some time, since some varieties are better suited for different soil. Take your time and experiment.

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9/4/2010 @ 9:23:23 am by healthierorganics.com

Growing Organic Onions

Onions have been a prime vegetable for a very long time. Not only are they tasty, but they have also been used for medicinal purposes for eye infection and allergy treatment. When planting onions, if you use a high quantity of fertilizer and insecticide, you will come up with a large crop of onions. However, we now know that these fertilizers and insecticides contain chemicals that slowly cause damage to the human immune system. Farmers are currently turning to other ways to cultivate healthy onions, away from conventional methods to organic farming.

Organic farming is different in that the onion growing is done in a natural way. The big difference between organic and non-organic farming is the way the soil is treated for planting any crop. Organic fertilizers are those made from natural bacteria and fungi, not from any chemical.

Growing onions is like growing any crop. Soil preparation is important. Onions prefer the slightly acidic soil and bright sunlight. You may plant seeds or sets. Seeds will store better, but will mature later. Onions compete badly with weeds, so keep your cultivator nearby.

Onions also require well-draining soil with high organic content. Garden soil should be prepared during the early winter days, using an ample amount of compost or manure. When spring arrives, spread some lime and rake the soil until it is level. It is crucial to allow the area to remain idle for a minimum of ten days so that onion flies do not lay eggs and infect the planting area. Some common diseases affecting onions are downy mildew, neck rot, and white rot. White rot is the most serious in hot dry times. Plants affected should be removed and burned. The benefits of organic foods will be your reward for the work involved.

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