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Trash To Toys - 15 Great Projects

http://diycraftsandgarden.com/recycl..._trash_to_toys

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A Gardener’s Guide to Organic Fertilizer

By E. Vinje

In a perfect world, your garden’s soil would provide all the nutrients plants need. But in the real world, garden and lawn soil — and thus the plants that live in them — often need a little boost. Improving the soil is the number one thing you can do to improve your garden, yard or landscape and organic fertilizers can help.

All plants need:
• Macronutrients – nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium
• Secondary nutrients – sulfur, calcium and magnesium
• Micronutrients – iron, manganese, zinc, chlorine, boron, copper and nickel (in very small quantities)
Organic fertilizing can be as easy or as technical as you want it to be. For gardeners who don’t wish to spend a lot of time figuring out what individual plants want, there are commercial blends that can be used on all plants.
For those who like to treat each plant as an individual there are singular fertilizers or mixes for every kind of plant. Often fertilizing protocol changes as the plant grows. Keep reading to review the best fertilizing method for you.

Why Organic?

Plants can’t tell if the nitrogen, or other nutrients, they are taking up came from an organic or chemical source, but choosing an organic over chemical fertilizer does have an impact on the health of your soil and ground water.
Organic fertilizers actually improve the soil, while chemical or synthetic fertilizers deplete the soil over the long run.

Organic Fertilizers	Chemical Fertilizers
Release nutrients slowly, providing a steady flow of plant nutrients	Release nutrients rapidly
Non-burning (won’t harm delicate seedling roots)	May burn plants (and harm delicate seedling roots)
Improve soil structure	Leaching can pollute groundwater
Increase water holding capacity	Loss of fertilizer due to leaching means soil requires many applications
Increase nutrient holding capacity	Can make soil toxic after continuous use
Promotes earthworms and soil micro-organisms	Mineral salts can build up over time and kill off soil microbes
Buffers soil from chemical imbalances	High nitrogen levels may repel earthworms
Improves soil over time

Chemical fertilizers came about after WWII when the companies that made ammonia gas for explosives needed to find a way to stay in business. So, they figured out how to make ammonia gas (mostly nitrogen) into fertilizer.

Dry Organic Fertilizers

Dry fertilizers can be made from a single ingredient (such as greensand, blood meal or steamed bone meal) or a blend of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous plus micronutrients. There are many commercial blends available or you can make your own (see How to Make Your Own Organic Fertilizer).

Applying Dry Organic Fertilizers
1.) Before planting broadcast dry fertilizer across the soil.
2.) Rake or hoe fertilizer into the top 4-6 inches.
3.) Add small amounts to planting holes or rows.
4.) Side dress plants during the growing season.

Liquid Organic Fertilizers

Plants have the ability to absorb liquids through both their roots and their stomata (pores on the leaf’s surface). Liquid fertilizers can be applied to the soil or sprayed on to the leaves (see Foliar Fertilization - PDF format).
Liquid fertilizers (whether a commercial blend, fish emulsion, compost tea or others) are especially beneficial during critical times in a plant’s life such as just after transplanting, during extreme temperatures or drought, or when the plant is blooming or setting fruit). Foliar fertilizing will also benefit plants throughout the growing season and can be applied every 2-4 weeks.
Applying Liquid Fertilizers
1.) Always follow label instructions.
2.) Using a surfactant (coconut oil or mild soap — 1/4 tsp per gallon of spray) to help get the best coverage.
3.) Check the spray’s pH — a slightly acidic fertilizer (6.0-6.5) is best (lower pH with vinegar).
4.) Use a spray mister with the finest mist possible.
5.) Spray until liquid drips off the leaves, being sure to spray the underside of leaves where pores are most likely to be open.
6.) Spray during the early morning or late evening for best absorption.
7.) OR water liquid fertilizers around the roots of plants.

Nutrient Supplements

Having little or no N-P-K of their own, nutrient supplements are designed to optimize fertilizers, not act as them. Containing vitamins, minerals, and hormones not found in most commercial plant foods, these give your plants “that little something extra.” The most well known is kelp which:
• contains at least 60 trace elements that plants need in very small quantities
• contains growth promoting enzymes and hormones
• stimulates soil bacteria (which increases fertility through humus formation, aeration and moisture retention)
Kelp is sold both as a dry meal and as a liquid.
Applying Nutrient Supplements
1.) Liquid supplements can be applied following the same method as liquid fertilizers.
2.) Kelp meal should be applied at 1-2 lbs per 100 square feet each spring. Kelp extract can be applied weekly to outdoor plants at a rate of 3 tablespoons per gallon of water.
3.) If you can find fresh seaweed, rinse the salt off and use it in the garden as mulch or throw it in the compost pile.

Types of Organic Fertilizers

Bird and animal manures	Good nutrient source and chock-full of microorganisms. Should be well-aged or composted before applying directly to the garden.
Blood meal	Slow release source of nitrogen plus trace minerals. Apply just before planting and use sparingly.
Fish meal/ emulsion	Source of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and trace elements. Releases quickly.
Greensand	Rich in potassium and numerous micronutrients. Can be used to loosen clay soils. Apply 5-10 lbs per 100 square feet.
Shellfish meal	Strong source of calcium (23%), nitrogen, phosphorus and micronutrients. May also be used to inhibit root-knot nematodes.
Rock phosphate	Great for flowering plants and provides a 10 year phosphate reserve.

Once you figure out what you want from your fertilizer, it is easy to pick the right one.

Desired Effect	Fertilizer
Promote large blooms and fruits	Bat guano
Condition soil	Compost Animal manures
Promote sturdy above-ground plant growth	Blood meal Fish emulsion
Promote root growth in transplants and seedlings	Phosphate rock Bone meal
Enhance composting process	Alfalfa meal Blood meal
Bind sandy soil	Colloidal rock phosphate
Loosen clay soil	Greensand Coconut coir

Which Vegetables Need the Most Fertilizer?

Light Feeding Vegetables
Bean, beet, carrot, onion, pea, potato, radish, turnip

Heavy Feeding Vegetables
Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, corn, cucumber, kale, leeks, lettuce, melon, peppers, pumpkin, spinach, squash, tomato

Biological Approaches that Promote Plant Health

Mycorrhizal Fungi are probably already growing in your soil. They form a symbiotic relationship with plant roots. These fungi benefit plants by:
• Colonizing plant roots and sending hyphae throughout the soil, essentially extending the plant’s reach.
• Blocking disease organisms.
• Absorbing phosphorous, water and trace minerals — and sharing them with the plant.
• Excreting sticky compounds that bind the soil into aggregates, keeping the soil porous and airy.
You can promote mycorrhizal growth by not tilling the soil (this tears them up) or by inoculating your garden with a purchased fungi inoculant.
Worms improve the soil in many ways:
• Improve the structure of the soil (aerating clay soils and binding sandy soils together).
• Burrowing opens channels for root growth.
• They help regulate water (moving moisture to dry areas and draining water clogged areas).
• Chomping up leaves and other organic debris.
• Worms leave behind castings full of nutrients.
It’s not just the worms that are good for your garden, their nutrient-rich castings (basically worm poop) are an excellent soil additive. Castings can be produced commercially, or you can raise worms yourself (see Composting with Worms).
There are a lot of ways to reap the benefits of worm castings, including:
• Top Dressing: Spread a layer (1/2 inch deep) of castings around plants. Mulch and water.
• Seed Starting Mix: 3 parts aged compost or coconut coir to 1 part castings.
• Potting Mix: 2 parts aged compost, 1 part castings, 1/2 part vermiculite.
• Trees and Fruit Trees: Apply around the base and water well. Reapply when necessary.





http://www.planetnatural.com/fertilizer-guide/

How to grow your own Mushrooms, simple instructions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBUnXyhtV5o

Uploaded on May 1, 2011

Simple instructions on how to grow your own Shiitake mushrooms in your own backyard. Its so easy and self sufficient.

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Education

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Grow Your Own Mushrooms in Used Coffee Grounds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpRTUZpwYyk

Uploaded on Jan 17, 2012

Alejandro Velez and Nikhil Arora, co-founders of Back to the Roots LLC in Oakland, Calif., have grown a business out of other companies' trash. They manufacture grow-at-home oyster mushroom kits filled with used coffee grounds. WSJ's Lauren Rudser reports. Video originally aired November 13, 2011.

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Howto & Style

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Enrich Your Garden With Used Coffee Grounds and my 2013 Expenses

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BksFFVLG4gY

Published on May 6, 2013

Join me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/One-Ya...

Why buy fertilizers and soil amendments when you can use excellent free resources like used coffee grounds. Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen and also contain phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Also, I give an update on my 2013 gardening expenses so far.

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Howto & Style

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Surviving Without Power: 4 Creative Ways To Heat And Light Your Home If The Grid Goes Down

by admin · March 10, 2014
JB Bardot

Living without power for an extended amount of time can be a daunting prospect. Although a small group of people may have alternative forms of emergency heat and supplies stashed safely in their home or retreat, these may not be enough to see you through the an extended period without power and heat. Battery packs and generators have a limited life span and purchasing a large stockpile of fuel is an expensive undertaking. There is no way to tell where you will be when the SHTF and getting to your home and stockpile of supplies may be impossible. Therefore, it is important to be aware of a few simple methods of creating heat, warmth and cooking facilities that will prove invaluable during difficult times.


Solar Bottle Bulb



Solar bottle bulbs are convenient ways to illuminate outdoor storage areas, garages and other shelters that are not connected to a power source. Use an 8oz clear plastic bottle and measure the circumference of the bottle. The bottle will be set up so that the bottom two-thirds is inside the structure, and the top third is sticking out of the roof to harvest sunlight. Decide where you would like to place your solar bulb, and then draw a circle on the ceiling of your structure that is the same size as the bottle’s circumference. Draw another circle on a piece of sheet metal that is large enough to surround the bottle. Cut out the two circles using a handsaw, or power saw if you’re doing this ahead of time.

Fill the bottle almost to the very top with distilled water, and then top it off with 3 tablespoons of bleach. Replace the cap and allow the bleach to mix slowly with the water. Fit the bottle into the hole in the sheet metal. Seal the edges between the bottle and the sheet metal with industrial strength sealant. Slot the bottle into the hole in the roof with the sheet metal on the outside. Seal the edges of the sheet metal all the way around with sealant to stop water and humidity from entering the structure. As long as it is fitted well, the solar bottle bulb should last up to 5 years. Add a little extra bleach every few months to keep the water clean and free from mold. More detailed information can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5YQ4t5apPM

Soda Can Stove

If you are on the move with a bugout bag, you will need to carry the least amount of weight possible. Bunsen burners and gas canisters can take up precious space. For an effective and virtually weightless camping stove, you will need only an aluminum can and denatured alcohol. Using either your knife or a can opener, cut away the top part of the can leaving the outer lip intact. Draw a line around the can about 1.5 inches from the bottom. Cut around the can making sure the edges are straight all the way around. Cut the top part of the can so it is exactly the same height as the bottom when held side by side. Take a knife and then press the blade vertically all around the can to make indented creases all around the sides that are approximately 1 inch apart.

Next, make a series of small holes at the top of the can just under the outer lip using a thumbtack to allow oxygen to flow freely. Slip the top part of your can into the bottom base, and you are ready to begin cooking. Pour a small amount of fuel into the stove to begin with to gauge exactly how much you will need and light it using a long matchstick. You can cook relatively large meals such as rice or soup using the soda can stove. To extinguish the flames, place a pot or glass bowel upside down on top of the stove to deprive it of oxygen. Any fuel that is left over can be poured back into the bottle of alcohol and reused. More detailed information can be seen here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ui8t3pivqtk

Clay Flower Pot and Tea Light Candle Heater

All you need to effectively heat a small area for just a few cents per day, are one medium and one small size terracotta flowerpot, a bread tin and 4 tea light candles. Place 4 tea lights in a deep metal square container such as a brownie pan. The pan should be similar in size to the opening of the larger flowerpot. Turn the smaller flowerpot upside down and place it over the tea lights. It should fit snugly inside the dish. Turn the larger flowerpot upside down and place it on top of smaller one so it rests on the top edge of the dish. Only use flowerpots that have a small hole in the base, and air should also be able to escape from the corners of the metal dish that are not covered by the larger pot. Each flowerpot will be able to disperse a substantial amount of heat to keep the room’s ambient warmth. Increase the number or size of candles or even make several bread pan/flowerpot heaters to generate warmth in larger spaces. More detailed information can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brHqBcZqNzE

Battery Fire Lighter

If you find yourself without matches or a lighter, you can still get a fire going instantly with a small battery and a stick of gum. A small AA or AAA battery is ideal, and you will need a stick of chewing gum in a foil wrapper. Tear off a thin strip of the foil about ½ an inch wide and fold it in half. Holding the folded end at the top, tear off a corner ¼ inch by ½ inch. When you unfold the strip it should have a small rectangle indent missing from one side. Press and hold the ends of the foil to each end of the battery, and the thin middle section will now ignite. Drop the foil onto some flammable material such as dried grass or brittle wood. More detailed information can be seen here: http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/bear-grylls-escape-from-hell/videos/gum-wrapper-plus-battery-fire.htm



Global Research

http://asheepnomore.net/2014/03/10/s...ome-grid-goes/

The Prepared Page


DIY Slingshot Bow In 5 mins

>> http://www.thepreparedpage.com/diy-s...bow-in-5-mins/

The Prepared Page

5 Easy Ways To Heat Your Home For Free

>> http://www.thepreparedpage.com/5-eas...home-for-free/

Homestead Survival


http://thehomesteadsurvival.com/plant-iroquois-garden/

How to Plant an Iroquois Garden

Homestead Survival

http://thehomesteadsurvival.com/herb...-drops-recipe/

How To Make Your Own Herbal Cough Drops Recipe