Effective Methods to Control Weeds

Weeds are harmful in many ways. The damages caused by them are: Reduction in crop yield, increase in the cost of cultivation, harbor insect/pests and diseases, it checks the flow of water and so on.

While producing organic crops, weed management is not so easy for farmers. Organic crops require Organic composts and organic fertilizers.Earth’s Honey is the best organic fertilizer in Ontario in Canada. 

 

Weed Control Methods:

 

Weeds have upper hand than the crops; so instead of preventing it, you need to do any of the below control mechanisms.

1. Mechanical Weed Control:
   

Using pre-plant tillage like ploughing, disking, and field cultivating, we can minimize the spread of specific perennial weeds and emerged weed seedlings.

2. Manual Weeding:
   

This is very effective but needs little time and work, where the weed can be plugged when they are smaller in size.

3. Crop Rotation:
   

This is also an effective way for reducing weed and it is a good method for long-term weed control.

4. Thermal Control:
   

This is a method which uses flame thrower to get rid of the weeds. Flaming is ideal for crops that are particularly planted in wide rows.

Top 5 Tips for Effective Lawn Care

1. Don’t plant the lawn in a completely shady area. Avoid planting it on the slopes and unnatural spots of your yard.

2. Soil shall be loose and light to grow healthy plants. Clay soils will become hard and fragile over the period. You can use an organic fertilizer to maintain loose soil for a longer time. Earth’s Honey is the best organic fertilizer in Ontario in Canada.

3. Grass in a shady part of your lawn requires less watering and fertilizer as it doesn’t receive full sunlight, you can’t boost its growth by over watering, and over fertilizing.

4. Mow your lawn before the grass reaches its high point to avoid sun-burnt lawn. Mowing the tall grass can affect their roots and damage the blades of the mower.

5. Walking over the lawn and trampling it for years, tighten the soil and take all the air out from the lawn. So, aerate your lawn twice a year in both spring and fall. Aerating helps the root system and soil by providing enough air and water to the lawn and improves nutrient penetration. Aerating is the secret of good-looking green lawns.

Vegetable Crops & their Survival Temperatures

Plant’s ability to survive in a specific climate is termed as “Hardy”, even it might be a cold winter. All vegetable crops have their own temperature ranges, which they survive & yields good quality fruits/vegetables. Use organic fertilizers for a better growth of the plant. Organic fertilizer is applied to soil to improve soil fertility, strength of plants. Earth’s Honey organic fertilizer is the best organic fertilizer in Ontarioregion in Canada. Here are types of vegetable crops and their details.

1. Hardy Vegetables:

Hardy crops survive freeze, frost or cold snap. It can survive at temperature as low as 4°C (40°F). Plant the seeds 2-4 weeks before the date of average last spring frost.

Example crops:

Kohlrabi, Onions, Lettuce, Peas, Radish, Spinach, Turnips, Broccoli, and Cabbage.

2. Semi Hardy Vegetables:

Plants that can survive only limited or light frost, may be just an hour or two of frost or near freezing temperatures. These plants must be protected from anything more than a touch of frost. Minimum daytime temperature for these crops are from 4°C (40°F) to 10°C (50°F). Plant them 2-4 weeks before the date of average last spring frost.

Example crops:

Cauliflower, Parsley, Parsnips, Potatoes, Swiss chard, Beets, and Carrots.

3. Tender Vegetables:

Plants that can be injured by cold weather or frost can be defined as Tender Vegetables. They need a daytime temperature above 12°C (55°F). Plant them around the time of average last spring frost. Example crops:

Beans, Celery, Corn, Cucumbers, Summer Squash, NZ Spinach.

4 Key Benefits of Organic Farming

1. Lesser Up-front Investment - Organic farm requires less capital investment than a conventional farm, since there is no involvement of any chemicals. Conventional farmers go for large loans for starting the farm; it’s not required for organic farmers. The use of organic based fertilizers aid farmers, growers, consumers and the environment. Earth’s Honey is the best organic fertilizer in Ontario region in Canada.

2. Higher Profit Margins - Depending on the conditions, organic farming methods yields lesser than the conventional methods. However, the premiums are high with organic farming. Any Organic product will be sold for 20-30% more than conventional yields. So, with less start-up debt and high profits, organic farming will be more successful.

3. Biodiversity and Nutrition - Environment enjoys the benefit of organic farming in many ways. Avoiding harsh chemicals establish better biodiversity. This keeps the soil rich, where good crops will continue to grow year after year. The product will also taste better and be more nutritious than chemically grown crops.

4. No Harmful Emissions - In addition to better biodiversity, organic farming helps the environment in other ways as well. Mostly, organic farm won’t mix up chemicals into water sources, and organic fertilizers like Earth’s Honey won’t release toxic gases into the air. So, for better farming business, go for organic farming and make the world better.

3 Premium Benefits of Lawn Aeration:

One of the healthiest ways to maintain a great lawn is perfect aeration. Aeration allows water and nutrients to penetrate the soil better, so your lawn can thrive. For better nutrients, use organic fertilizers which boosts aeration in the soil. Try Earth’s Honey, which is the best organic fertilizer in Ontario in Canada. The benefits are:

 

1. More Productive Irrigation:

It’s the water, either from your irrigation system or from the next rain, will be able to soak into the soil more quickly. Minute problems like post-rain puddles will be fixed immediately. Algae growth is eliminated. Water penetrates more deeply into the soil, which create a deeper root system that is much more tolerant of drought.

2. Increased Lawn Resilience:

After aeration, your lawn becomes springier and more resilient. Because of the additional oxygen in the soil, the roots will be thick and healthy, making the blades thick and healthy too. These roots will grow towards the newly loosened soil which will be in a cooler zone of the soil that automatically increase heat tolerance and vibrant.

3. Healthy Earthworms and Microbes

Earthworms will thrive in an aerated lawn, which moves through the soil is a major benefit for the soil. This permits excess air, water, and nutrients to move deeper into the root zone. Along with them, natural microbes present in healthy soil will also thrive with the additional oxygen and nutrients. These microbes play a much larger role in grass health which breaks down the nutrients in the soil that allow the grass to use the organic fertilizers like Earth’s Honey you apply in your lawn.

Nutsedges - Ways to control it in your Lawn

Nutsedges is a lawn plant which blooms well especially in hot, wet conditions. It is also called as NutGrass, TigerNut and Chufa. Nutsedges are very aggressive that commonly infest your lawns, vegetables and gardens.

It is very difficult to control them; and it will be a longer process once it spreads. So, it’s better to eradicate them once you see it in the lawn.

Ways to remove Nutsedges:

1. Nutsedges grows through tubers rather than roots, you can’t simply pull it out of the ground. You must dig deep, for about 14 inches down to kill it completely.
2. Try to grab the nutlets and seeds of the plant while removing it. If a single seed left behind, it will re-spawn this aggressive plant.
3. After digging, use a mesh screen to pull them off. This will help you find those seeds and nutlets easily.
4. Even though they are not toxic, try to burn them out of the lawn.

How to prevent it from growing in your lawn:

1. Nutgrass blooms in poorly drained areas of lawn. Keep your lawn aerated to prevent nutsedge from spreading.
2. Using organic compost and organic fertilizer together to the lawn improves its aeration. Try Earth’s Honey which is the best organic fertilizer in Ontario in Canada. Also, nutsedge goes on wildfire when the temperature warms up. So, be alert and kill it before summer.
3. While purchasing a new soil from outside, check for any nutsedges tubers.

Apply Lime to Your Lawn – Why & When?

In most parts of the Canada, adding lime to lawn is as essential as mowing the lawn. Without lime, lawn grasses may be unable to benefit from the nutrients in your soil, including those you add through fertilizers. Try Earth’s Honey for the best organic fertilizer in Ontario in Canada to boost the lime which works healthy for the lawn.

Why Lime the Lawn?

 

A healthy, well-balanced lawn can be grown with pH of the soil. The total pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, out of which 7 is neutral; while everything under 7 is acidic, and everything above 7 is alkaline. Lawns are usually mild acidic, ranging between 5 and 7. If your soil pH is below 5.5, your lawn won’t grow well.

The reason to add lime to lawn is that most of the soil are acidic and increases as alkaline nutrient is released. To maintain it at the right pH level, we must add lime to the grass.

Advantages of using lime:

1. It helps in healthier growth.
   
2. It keeps acid moss and weeds away.
   
3. It helps the fertilizer to function, which won’t happen on soil that is too acidic. Make sure it’s organic like Earth’s Honey.
   

When to Add Lime to Lawn:

The lime can be added any time of year, but don’t wait until your grass suffers. However, it is best to add lime in the fall, so that the winter weather helps to work them into the soil most effectively.

Importance of Earthworms

Earthworms are one of nature's top “soil scientists”. The main uses of Earthworms in soil are:

• Fragmentation
• Aeration and Soil aggregation
• The breakdown of organic matter in soil
• Release of nutrients
• Secretion of plant growth hormones
• Carbon dynamics
• Microbial production
• Phosphorous dynamics
• Increase water infiltration

The use of earthworms is plenty however, their population in soil reduces primarily by heavy tillage operations, intensification especially over stocking, use of chemical fertilizers.
How to promote growth of earthworms:
Earthworms do not flourish in soil that is too acidic, alkaline, dry, wet, hot or cold. Their presence can be attributed to a good indicator of soil conditions suitable for plant growth.

1. Ensure soil pH above 4.5 - Earthworms doesn’t survive in acid soils. The increase in lime raises pH which adds calcium. They need a continuous supply of calcium to work with the soil for aeration.
2. Increase organic matter- Earthworms feed on soil, dead or decaying plant remains, including straw, leaf litter and dead roots. Use organic fertilizer instead of chemical fertilizer. Earth’s Honey is the best Organic Fertilizer in Ontario in Canada. Earthworms helps in mixing the organic fertilizer and organic matter with the soil and make the carbon more accessible to decomposition by soil microbes.
3. Maintain Soil Moisture - Worms can lose 20% of their body weight each day in mucus and castings, so they need moisture to stay alive. Soil cover can reduce moisture evaporation. Also, we can use the dried plant leaves around the soil to keep moisture at good level.
4. Reduce Soil Compaction - It is not so easy for earthworms to move through highly compact soil so, keep vehicle or others which causes soil compaction to minimum in wet conditions.

Most Bugs are Good Bugs

 

Majority of the bugs are helpful or harmless. About 95% of the creatures in your garden are beneficial to you. They go about their business, which may include eating other insects, breaking down organic matter and pollinating flowers. If you try any chemical fertilizer; it might destroy all these bugs. Try Earth’s Honey for the best organicfertilizer in Ontario in Canada.

The bugs are categorized into 3 groups:

1. Predators – Bigger than their prey, consume various pests throughout their lifetime. Dragon flies, Non-Stinging wasps, Tachinid, Damsel… belongs to predator category.
2. Parasites – Lay their eggs inside the host pest. The eggs will hatch, and the young larvae will begin to consume the host until it dies.
3. Pollinators – Honeybees are the primary pollinators for the garden. Wasps, Flies, Beetles and butterflies also do pollination. Doing pollination, it allows 80% of plant life to sustain and helps to produce fruits and seeds.

Plant Growth

Plants grow up fast. Their growth rate varies from plant to plant. Let’s look at the growth process of some common house plants, the factors that affect plant’s growth and the growth rate.

Factors for Plant’s Growth:

Fertilization is the catalyst and sunlight is the energy driver for plant. Both these factors are very much needed for any plant’s growth. Try and use organic fertilizer rather than chemical fertilizer. Earth’s Honey is the best organic fertilizer in Ontario in Canada. Spring to Fall is the best season for any plant’s growth. Light will be less during winter. Use Fertilizers only during growing season; in rare cases use fertilizers during winter season.

Fast Growers:

A plant from a seed gives flowers which produces seeds within few months are called Fast growers.

Ex: Herbs, veggies, outdoor plants, garden flowering plants, begonias, oxalis, geraniums, piles.

Every week we can see the difference in plant’s size. Fertilize them every 2 weeks once.

Medium Growers:

Plants which will grow only if they have more light are medium growers. Most of the house hold plants fall into this category.

Ex: Pothos, Caletheas, Succulents, Monsteras, Peperomias, and some Orchids.

Every Month we can see the difference in plant’s size. Fertilize them every month.

Slow Growers:

Plants which will grow slowly irrespective of the light received are slow growers. Most of the house hold plants fall into this category.

Ex: Cacti and some Succulents, Ponytail palms, Dracaenas, Orchids, Bird of paradise plants, Marimos.

Any plant in low light will not have energy to grow at all, and may either go into dormancy, or try to grow spindly or pale to find light. Fertilize them every 3 months once.

Top 5 Tips for Fertilizing Your Lawn

1. During spring season after the rains are over, the soil temperature reaches 13° Celsius, and the grass starts growing well. This is the best time to fertilize your lawn. Plants that grow faster must be fertilized often than the plants which grow slower.

2. Make sure you use Organic fertilizer, which increases the plant’s growth. Try Earth’s Honey, which is the best organic fertilizer in Ontario in Canada. It’s best to under-fertilize than over-fertilize. Add less water with fertilizer if you’ve not used it for a longer time.

3. Use more fertilizer for plants that produce fruits or flowers; as most of the nutrients will be for them, and the rest will go to plants.

4. Know about Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium (NPK) values. That’s the ratio of macro-nutrients that your plant needs. These values are displayed in your fertilizer bag.

5. Micro nutrients like boron (B), chlorine (Cl), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), and zinc (Zn) are also important for plant’s growth. Each micro-nutrient plays a vital part in plant’s enzymatic activities, cellular and developmental functions. Macro nutrients are found in Organic fertilizers like Earth’s Honey.

Tips for Organic Vegetable Gardening

• Nature works well with Companion planting – means planting different varieties of plants together in a garden. This is an excellent way to replenish lost nutrients in the soil; and some combinations keeps pests away.
  
  
• In case of Onion, harvest it when the tops start to fall. Once it’s fully harvested, fill the soil with Organic fertilizers to increase the soil nutrients for the next harvest. The onion roots will absorb all the nutrient content in the soil for its growth. Try Earth’s Honey, which is the best organic fertilizer in Ontario in Canada.
  
  
• To avoid insects in your garden - try planting Garlic, Onions, Chives and Chrysanthemums. It helps repel insects. Healthy soil means healthy plants which will resist pests and disease; thus, by reducing the need for harmful pesticides.
  
  
• In case of peas, grow them indoors using organic matter. This will increase the germination rate, healthier seedlings, fights off pests and diseases. 5% increase in organic matter, quadruples the soil’s ability to store water.
  
  
• Spread half inch layer of mulch around the plant to keep the plants away from getting dirty and keep the weeds down.

Useful Tips to Maintain a Healthy Garden

Garden may be smaller or bigger; you need to maintain it all the year round to look green & healthy. Here are some useful tips:

1. Maintain Soil: Soil shall be loose and light in order to grow healthy plants. Clay soils will become hard and fragile over the period. You can use an organic fertilizer to maintain lose soil for a longer time. Earth’s Honey is the best organic fertilizer in Ontario in Canada.

2. Control the Weeds: Weeds cannot be completely controlled in any garden; so, you shall aim to prevent them from spreading all over the garden. Clear them when they’re small; it will be difficult when it grows big. The best time to clear them is while watered or after a rainy day; whichever suits you.

3. Take the Dead Out: Remove the rotting vegetables, damaged leaves, pulled weeds, and plant stalks. This will make the pests to stay away from your garden

4. Timely Harvest: When ripen, harvest the fruits & vegetables. If it’s a last round of harvesting, remove the plants and reuse them.

5. Cut Down the Diseased Part: Whether it may be leaves, or the entire plant – remove and destroy the diseased part of your plant; this will protect the plant from the disease spreading to other plants in your garden.

Apart from these, get some essential supports by using Trellises, stakes, A-frames and tepees. This will support you in:

• Increasing the space in your garden.
• Providing more exposure to light.
• Increasing in air circulation.
• Easier for harvest & prune.

Why is it Important to Use an Organic Fertilizer?

One should consider organic fertilizer for their soil, plants and the environment. Use of synthetic fertilizer will spoil the soil’s nutrients on a longer run. A conscientious gardener shall consider the below advantages of organic fertilizer:

1. Any organic fertilizer will be minimally processed. As of result, the nutrients will stay in their natural form. Whereas in case of synthetic fertilizer, the nutrients are refined.

2. Organic fertilizers are made from natural materials, which normally improves the essential nutrients in the soil. Earth’s Honey is considered as the best organic fertilizer in Ontario region of Canada.

3. Organic fertilizers will release nutrients as they break down. This will improve soil condition and the soil structure; thus, increasing its ability to retain water & nutrients. When you use organic fertilizer consistently, it will make the soil, plants – healthy & strong.

4. An organic fertilizer will break down slowly; whereas the synthetic fertilizer will break down rapidly. This feature of organic fertilizer makes the soil more fertile.

5. Organic fertilizers are Renewable, Bio-degradable & environment friendly, as they are made from natural organic materials – such as manure, compost, plant waste, animal waste.

Essential Mineral Nutrients for your Lawns:

Plant roots can extract the essential nutrients required from soil. There is always lack of these nutrients in the soil for a plant to grow healthy. So, for a quality lawn, you must verify the Micro, Macro nutrients available in your lawn’s soil.

Micro-Nutrients:

Boron (B), Chlorine (Cl), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Molybdenum (Mo), Nickel (Ni) and Zinc (Zn) are the micro-nutrients that are involved in increasing the strength of the lawn soil. These are called trace elements.

Macro-Nutrients:

The Primary Macro-Nutrients are: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K). These three nutrients are very important for healthy lawn. The Secondary Macro-Nutrients are: Calcium (Ca), Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Magnesium (Mg), Oxygen (O), and sulfur (S).

One can add all-purpose fertilizers which shall boost the available nutrients in the soil. Earth’s Honey is considered as the best organic fertilizer in Ontario for greener and healthier lawns.

Tips for Gardening Organic Vegetables

1. Vegetables that are over-ripen in plants are easy target for pests. So, remove them as earlier as possible.
2. While planting, add a handful of compost and organic fertilizer into each plant pit. It boosts the plant’s growth.
3. Earthworms increases the airspace in the soil. A good reason to use organic fertilizer is that, earthworms loves it. Earth’s Honey is considered as the best organic fertilizer in Ontario in Canada.
4. Organic fertilizer needs time to integrate and stabilize in the soil. So, apply the fertilizers two to three weeks prior to planting.
5. Check your area, climate and choose the best suitable plants. Take your own time for choosing the plants.