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.