Organic Gardening at Plant Paradise Country Gardens
At Plant Paradise Country Gardens we practice and promote organic gardening. We do not use any pesticides, herbicides or synthetic fertilizers anywhere. It has never been necessary. We have allowed the natural defenses of nature to take control. Find out more on our About Us page.
Organic Garden Fertilizers
Organic garden fertilizers contain natural plant and mineral elements to ensure a complete balance of nutrients. They are ecologically friendly with low environmental impact that will feed the soil and the plants, build good root system and improves soil microbial activity. The brand we have been using for many years with great success is Gaia Green 4-4-4 All Purpose Certified Organic Fertilizer. Available in a 10kg bag. Other Gaia Green products available by request.
It is an excellent choice for landscapes, vegetables and flower gardens. This blend combines a wide array of ingredients and is the only all purpose fertilizer incorporating glacial rock dust and fossilized carbon complex. The ingredients in this powerful blend provide a range of essential nutrients required for flourishing plants and fostering great soil health.
Gaia Green Premium Organic Fertilizers are natural slow release that build soil organic matter, and do not leach from the root zone so more of the fertilizer will be used by the plants. Over time as soil structure improves, less fertilizer will be required, significantly reducing the long term costs of fertilizing organically.
Mycorrhizal fungi – Root Rescue
Root Rescue (mycorrhizal fungi) can be added when initially planting or even after you have already planted. This will naturally enhance and accelerate root growth which will create greater performance and resistance to disease and pests. One 45 gram package inoculates 40 one gallon plants. Also available in a 22.5 gram package and for a great savings on large projects it is available in a 450 gram package.
Easy to use. Mix one teaspoon with water in a 7 liter watering can. Pour directly on the roots when planting or pour around a plant that has already been planted. One time application for the life of the plant or until it is moved or divided. Can be used on everything you grow – perennials, vegetables, annuals, indoor plants, trees, shrubs…
Worm Castings
Healthy, moisture retentive, well drained soil is one of the single most important elements of successful gardening. Creating healthy soil in sandy or clay soil is as easy as adding worm castings. This increases moisture retention and improves the soil structure and fertility which encourages millions of micro-organisms to thrive. Their existence increases the absorption of essential minerals to the plants which creates better root growth and greater resistance to disease and pests.
Earthworm castings promotes plant growth and root structure and contains essential plant nutrients. It contains high organic matter, beneficial micro organisms and increases moisture retention. We sell certified organic worm castings.
Perennials that attract Beneficial Insects
Not using pesticides or herbicides encourages birds, toads, frogs, snakes and beneficial insects to thrive and create balance in the garden. With the addition of perennials that attract beneficial insects you will encourage them to live permanently in your garden.
Why not to use Synthetic Fertilizers
The nitrogen in synthetic oil-based fertilizers is derived from the petroleum industry. Over time with the use of synthetic fertilizers, residues of arsenic, lead and a long list of equally toxic substances remain in the soil indefinitely. These toxic substances are absorbed systemically into the cellular structure of the plants you grow.
Correct Watering Practices
Initially, new plants require regular watering until they are established. If it has not rained, vegetable gardens will require watering. Deep water all of your plants to penetrate to the depth of the roots. Depending on the plant, this can mean a depth of between 2 to 8 inches. Shallow watering creates shallow root growth. Watering deeply and less frequently you will grow healthier plants with deeper roots that will be less susceptible to drought, disease and pests. Incorrect watering is a key reason why some plants may not overwinter, become weak and are prone to disease and pests.
Here is our Planting Instructions
1. Dig a big hole
2. Add worm castings into the hole
3. Mix with your existing soil
4. Re-dig the hole
5. Place plant in the hole
6. Mix 1 tsp. of Root Rescue (mycorrhizal fungi) with water in a 7 liter watering can.
Pour some of the Root Rescue solution on the roots and let drain
7. Cover half way with soil
8. Use a mug/scoop and add a circle around the plant with the Gaia Green 4-4-4 Organic Fertilizer.
9. Cover with soil to the top.
10. Water in with more Root Rescue.
11. Fertilize with Gaia Green Fertilizer 4-4-4 and top dress your gardens yearly with worm castings or compost.
Please note: The Root Rescue is applied only once for the life of a plant, shrub or tree…Can be applied when planting or to an existing garden that has never had Mycorrhizal fungi applied. When plants or moved or divided the Root Rescue should be reapplied.
Reasons Why We Do Not Use Mulch (Wood Chips…)
1. Mulch does not mimic nature. Do you see piles of wood chips on a forest floor? No, you see leaf mulch. Leaf mulch is good for the garden.
2. Plants do not grow well in gardens that are mulched.
3. Mulch provides habitat for slugs, snails and disease.
4.The little bit of rain we get, only the mulch his getting wet
5. Mulch is not bee friendly. Ground bees require bare soil.
6. Mulch does not prevent weeds and when there are weeds the mulch gets contaminated with soil after those weeds are pulled out.
7. There is lack of oxygen getting to the roots of the plants with the amount of mulch that is applied.
8. Mulch depletes the soil of nitrogen when it is decomposing.Mulch should not be touching the plants. Who has time to move mulch away from the base of the plants?
9. Gardens should be planted so that eventually you do not see the soil. No reason for mulch. Buy more plants if there are spaces in your garden.
10. Self-seeding annuals will not come back the following year in a mulched garden.
11. Compost is applied annually to increase moisture retention. In sandy soil compost adds moisture retention and in clay soil, compost breaks up the clay soil to create better root growth. Before the compost is applied we throw down some of the organic fertilizer Gaia Green 4-4-4 around the base of the plants.
12. In late May we weed our gardens and at the same time apply corn gluten (before a rain) to inhibit the germination of weed seeds.
© 2022 Plant Paradise Country Gardens, Caledon, Ontario, Canada