Since my last post about “Autumn Garden Seeds”, I thought I should explain a bit more on the subject of using alfalfa pellets as organic and natural garden fertilizer.

Some people even use this stuff. It’s rabbit food, but also has alfalfa in it. 5 lb bag sell for about $9. Image from Southern Agriculture.

I was able to gather more information from Planet Natural about alfalfa pellets.  They are the primary plant source of nitrogen.  Alfalfa pellets also contain trace minerals and triacontanol, a plant root growth stimulant.  It’s recommended to use about 25-50 lbs per 1,000 sq. ft. before planting.  Or apply as a side dressing later in the season for plants requiring additional nitrogen, such as the lawn.

Read the rest of this entry »

This year California may be facing a severe drought. Our heavy rain season starts around autumn and continues through spring. I can say this year’s rainy season was not so good. I think we had some cloudy winters, but not much rain. Mostly fog in parts of northern California.

Concerned homeowners and avid gardeners may want to look into finding ways to conserve water. But I have mostly desert plants that are in pots, so it won’t be much of a problem for me. My mom said she may cut down on what she will be planting this year too. The latest idea suggest replacing the common lawn and yards with native plants. This idea is termed “naturescaping”. These two front yards are good examples of naturescaping. Photos were taken by City Steward of Portland, Oregon.

There are many benefits for naturescaping and to growing native plants. A great landscape design practice also located in Portland, Oregon named Plant Native gave us 6 good reasons. They are listed below:

1. Low Maintenance - Native plants evolved to grow in local conditions and to predictable sizes. They do not require watering (except during establishment), chemical pesticides and fertilizers, or frequent cutting.

2. Public Health (lowers cancer rates) - Traditional landscaping uses large amounts of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, some of which are suspected carcinogens. During rains, these chemicals often run off into public water supplies. Traditional landscaping also contributes to air and noise pollution.

3. Saves you Money - The cost of maintaining a naturescape is dramatically less than that of a traditional landscape because a naturescape essentially takes care of itself. Naturescapes also save you time - and how valuable is your time?

Read the rest of this entry »