Really good info there!=(V)=Prince Vegeta wrote:I used to grow tomatoes in raised beds on top of a very clayey soil.
Home Depot used to carry some pre-cut 2"x12"'s (Maybe 2x10) either three or four feet long) so you could make beds. Four per bed. Also required are screws and 90 degree metal angles to keep the bed structurally sturday (1 per corner on the bottom and two additional screws joining two boards on the vertical edges.
Soil. I used 1/2 potting soil and 1/2 top soil, amended with a bit of leaf gro (composted yard clippings). Leaf gro has a lot of nitrogen, which is good for tall green plants, however need make sure you fertilize based on what you intend to grow. Tomatoes and fruiting plants like more phosphorous than nitrogen for nice juicy fruits.
Fertilizer: For tomatoes and peppers, I used http://www.espoma.com/p_consumer/tones_ ... 2wacFffe6I.
A good source of nitrogen that you can get for free is Used Coffe Grounds (at least I used to from Starbucks) http://www.greenplanet.com/great-coffee ... ertilizer/. They also bring the WORMS, which are good at helping make a balanced soil.
I will try to give some more info later. This is by no means all encompassing.
Need pics/more info on backyard, as you want the roots to go as deep as possible.
Avoid using chemicals to get rid of bugs since they can alter your crops. Some other bugs might help as well like Spiders or Ladybugs.
Here are some natural pesticides:
Or you could plant natural repellents:Rhubarb Leaf Mix
1 cup rhubarb leaves
6.5 cups water
1/4 cup liquid dish detergent or soap flakes
Cover rhubarb leaves with water and bring to a boil. Boil for 20 minutes then remove from heat and cool. Strain then add 1/4 cup liquid dish detergent. Apply. Good for aphids, june beetles, spider mites, thrips.
Rhubarb leaves are poisonous, take care when preparing and handling. Do not use on food bearing plants.
Garlic, Peppers & Onion Insecticide
2 hot peppers
1 large onion
1 whole bulb of garlic
1/4 cup water
Toss in the food processor and add water, blend until a mash is made. Cover mash with 1 gallon hot (not boiling) water and let stand 24 hours. Strain. Spray on roses, azaleas, vegetables to kill bug infestations. Bury mash in ground where bugs are heaviest. Good for thrips, aphids, grasshoppers, chewing and sucking insects.
Tomato Leaves Mix
Crush leaves from a tomato plant and soak in water for a couple days. Strain then spray. Good for grasshopper and white fly control.
Tomato leaves are poisonous, take care when preparing and handling. Do not use on food bearing plants.
Basil Tea
4 cups water
1 cup fresh basil (or 2 TBS dried)
1 tsp liquid dish detergent
Bring water to a boil then add basil. Remove from heat, cover and steep until cool. Strain. Mix in the liquid detergent then apply. Good for aphids.
Salt Spray
2 TBS salt
1.5 gallons warm water
Mix salt and water to dissolve, allow to cool to room temperature. Use for spider mites, caterpillars, cabbage worms and chewing insects.
For recipes that require liquid dish detergent, use the basic stuff–nothing fancy with added bleach, nothing concentrated and no special antibacterial formulas. You can also substitute with a gentler liquid soap such as liquid castile or a perfume free, gentle liquid hand soap.
Apply the treatment on top of the leaves as well as underneath–don’t overdo it, excess can cause damage.
Most recipes can be used effectively with just a weekly treatment.
Excessive use may affect the plant as well as kill the good insects you want to encourage in your garden (earthworms, bees, ladybugs, etc.).
If you aren’t seeing results with a 7 day treatment, you can bump it up to 5 days but watch carefully to make sure plants can handle it without being damaged.
Avoid treating during hot sunny weather, do so later in the day to reduce the risk of burning.
If it looks like rain, delay until the weather is clear since any rain will wash away the new application. If it has recently rained, wait till greenery is dry before applying to prevent the mix being diluted with water.
When trying a new recipe, test on just a couple leaves first (apply then watch how the test leaves react after two or three days, if no signs of damage proceed with spraying the whole plant).
I’m sure I don't need to remind you this but I'll do it anyways.
As with all pesticides, take care when applying to food bearing plants, handling and storage of the pesticide, but wash all produce well before consuming.
If you're going to use bugs for pest control you must be sure that you have a balance of bugs in your garden because if they can't find something to eat they will obviously leave or in the worst case scenario they'll start eating some of your plants as well.Rosemary, Mint, Thyme: Grow near cabbage. Repels cabbage worms
Nasturtiums: Position near cucumbers, melons and squashes. Repels squash bugs
Summer Savory: Position near beans. Repels bean beetles
Radishes: Grow near cucumbers. Repels cucumber beetles
A small pond where small frogs can live is a good idea too since they eat pretty much every garden bug. Dont' worry about your pool because they'll prefer to be in a small dark pond rather than your brighty pool. But you shouldn't be surprised if you find one swimming in your pool lol.
Birds are a good idea too, but that depends on the bird life around your zone.
Interesting fact: You can identify a bird's diet because of it's beak.
Edit:
I found this: