Time to Think About a Fall Organic Garden

It's still hot out there, sweltering actually, but it's not too early to at least begin planning a fall garden. My spring garden did very well. I'm still getting some tomatoes and brussel sprouts.

This is the second year I've had a completely 100% organic vegetable garden. It really makes a difference. Better tasting food, bigger yields, less watering, more nutrition. What's not to like?

The key is the soil. With the correct amendments and fertilizers, the rest seems to take care of itself. To the soil I tilled in some organic compost along with some dried molasses. The molasses is basically a starch that feeds the micro organisms.

Every couple of weeks I use a pump-up sprayer to do a foliar feeding with Garrett juice. It is very important to fertilize both above and below the soil.

I was lucky not to get too many garden pests, most of which is attributable to the organic program encouraging and multiplying the beneficial insects; garden police if you will.

It's easy to control the bad bugs with homemade garlic pepper spray. To make this, use a blender to combine a head of garlic, a habenero pepper (or Scotch bonnet), and about 12 ounces of water. Strain the mixture and apply with a handheld sprayer.

There are two advantages to using garlic pepper spray over a chemical solution. First, it's not a neurotoxin. Who willingly puts poison on their food? Secondly, it costs almost nothing.

Now I'm off to harvest some tomatoes and make some plans!