Garvey’s Organic Traditional Irish Soda Bread Mix, 16-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 5) $21.44

Herbal Choice Mari Natural Organic Toothpaste Gel, Select Flavor $12.95

Herbal Choice Mari Natural Organic Toothpaste Gel, Select Flavor $12.95

Herbal Choice Mari Natural Organic Tooth-Paste Herbal Formula Select Flavor $11.21

Herbal Choice Mari Natural Organic Tooth-Paste Herbal Formula Select Flavor $11.21

Herbal Choice Mari Natural Organic Tooth-Paste Herbal Formula Select Flavor $11.21

Herbal Choice Mari Natural Organic Tooth-Paste Herbal Formula Select Flavor $11.21

Organic Nail Products -Coleccion Disco Colores Individuales $8.00

(20) coupons Zevia $1 Off 6 Pack Soda Organic, diabetic, vegetarian $4.99

VINTAGE ~ SANTA CRUZ NATURAL SPARKLING ORGANIC ORANGEADE SODA CAN ~ FREEDOM, CA $0.99

Organic Soda

Organic Gardening and Pest Control

With the growing awareness of “green” issues all over the world, the idea of organic gardening is really gaining traction. Using more natural methods of planting, growing, and harvesting, using fewer (or no) chemicals, getting away from the monopolistic mass production of food that tends to make it both tasteless and vulnerable – people are becoming more and more interested in “eating organic.”

But one thing that makes potential organic gardeners uneasy is a simple problem that every food grower encounters: bugs. What if your garden gets infested with insects or other pests that could harm all those plants you so lovingly set out? You’re not supposed to use pesticides, say the organic people, so what can you do? Do you have to settle for damaged flowers, fruit, and vegetables? Do you have to reconcile to losing some of your plants altogether?

No you don’t. There are other ways to deal with garden pests, when they need dealing with.

And that’s one of the keys: “when they need dealing with.” Because you’ll probably have to do some research, when you encounter some new bug or little worm, to find out if it’s really a “pest” at all. So that’s actually your first step: try to identify the bug, either on the internet or by trapping one and taking it to a garden center. If it’s good for the soil or the plants, you probably don’t need to do anything at all.

But let’s back up a few steps. One way to prevent pests is to prepare the garden properly in advance, and keep it tidy and clean afterward. If you’re composting ahead of time, don’t use plant material that you already know had a disease or bug problem. Clean up dead material before you plant anything, and be sure the soil is well aerated and fertile. When you do put in your plants, place them in the conditions in which they grow best. If they are meant to grow in full sun, or shade, or part-shade, then put them in that sort of location. Keep the garden clean as the season progresses, by throwing away dead leaves, deadheading the flowers, and weeding.

Try to attract animals or insects that will help keep down other unwanted insects. You can draw birds in by placing bird houses or feeders. Bug-fighting insects, like ladybugs, can be attracted if you grow plants that they use for food. Do some research to see what other sorts of insect predators you can bring into the garden.

Watering properly is another means of keeping the bug population down. Water less frequently, but more deeply. Frequent shallow watering creates a humid atmosphere around the plant, which is the sort of condition in which many insects thrive. It also creates the right circumstances for fungus and rot to develop.

If you do get some small bugs, try spraying a simple soap solution: 40 parts water and one part non-detergent soap, such as Ivory. Spray the bottoms of a few leaves first, to make sure it will work on specific plants. If it seems to work without damaging the plant, then a few moments after you use it each time, rinse it off. This can eliminate many fairly ordinary pests.

One suggested solution for fighting several fungal diseases is a baking soda spray that consists of a mixture of one quart of water, one teaspoon of baking soda, and one squirt of liquid, non-detergent soap. This would be sprayed on affected leaves and stems. Or a potato starch spray, substituting 2-4 teaspoons of potato flour for the baking soda, may help deter insects as well as fighting fungus.

Become familiar with local organic gardeners or associations, and explore some of the other options out there. In extreme cases, there are existing organic products that can often help, though you’ll want to research those too, to make sure they are reputable. As you switch away from pesticides and other chemicals, you will find that it’s possible to have a pretty healthy and happy garden without them, using more organically appropriate methods of pest control instead.

Go Green Gardening

I recently change to eating only organic?

The spices that are in supermarkets like cream of tarter, baking soda, cinnamon, etc. Are those genetically modified as well ?

I order organic spices online. By doing this I know that they do not have added preservatives and MSG. I get bulk spices and herbs from www.mountainroseherbs.com. The prices are OUTSTANDING!! I would stick to ordering anything 4 oz. or smaller. It is by weight not volume. I just ordered their True Cinnamon. It is wonderful!!

Shooting organic soda

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SodaStream Mywater Flavor Essence Three Pack $6.00 Making your favorite flavor if sparkling water is so simple with the Soda Stream home soda maker. These all natural flavorings are a simple and tasty alternative to diet sodas. Each bottle makes approximately 20 liters of naturally flavored soda water without using aspartame or other sweeteners. This variety pack includes berry, orange and lemon-lime flavors. Mix and match to create your own conco…

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For the Fridge Reduce your refrigerator odors and keep your produce fresher longer. Throw away your baking soda! For The Fridge is a revolutionary new product that keeps fruit, vegetables and cheese fresher. The special blend absorbs the natural gas (ethylene) produced by food that causes it to ripen. By absorbing the gas the ripening process is slowed down and your produce stays fresher longer. It also elim…

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Sweet Leaf Vanilla Creme Flavored Liquid Stevia, 2-Ounce Bottle $8.64 SweetLeaf Flavored Liquid Stevia is all natural, zero calories, no carbs, and infinitely flavorful. At only a penny per drop, you can easily dress up the taste of water, coffee, tea, yogurt, cocktails, whip cream, smoothies, ice cubes, and nearly anything else. The uses are endless. Flavors include Apricot Nectar, Cinnamon, Chocolate Raspberry, Dark Chocolate, English Toffee, Grape, Lemon Drop, Mi…

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