Organic Supplies for Roses, Fruit, Vegetables & Gardens
I started using natural gardening products because, as a busy gardener, I was worried about handling too many chemicles. When I read more, I realised that not only are natural products better for me, but they seem to be better for the plants and other life that live in the garden and help plants to grow. Healthy soil life leads to great gardens!
The other thing that struck me is that we are what we eat - and there is a huge opportunity to become more healthy by eating our own fruit and vegetables that have been fed with natural and mineral rich products and not commercial sprays and chemicals.
Here is a selection of natural organic gardening supplies that we use instead of chemicals.
Note: when we talk about "organic" products, we mean it in the sense that they are natural products. It doesn't mean that the products have been certified "Organic" by Bio Gro.
Soil Condition, Plant Health & Vigour
The soil is the power-house of the garden. Better soil conditions lead to better plant health and increased yield, disease and pest resistance.
Biophos
Organic topdress fertiliser, supplying natural phosphate, potassium, sulphur and calcium, as well as fungal colonies which break down the phosphoros over the course of the year. Apply annually. Dig in 100g/m2 for new gardens; or sprinkle 50gm/m2 around the garden or 1T around new plants and water in. Scoop supplied.
1.3kg $9.50
3kg $15
Rok Solid
Fine rock dust containing 60+ minerals, blended with organic fish & seaweed concentrate, leading to better soil balance, increased plant health and greater (mineral rich) nutritional value. Apply twice a year in spring and autumn. Dig in 100g/m2 to new gardens; or sprinkle 50gm/m2 around the garden or 1T around new plants. Scoop supplied.
1kg $10
3kg $20
Ocean Solids
Harvested from the sea, which contain 90 odd minerals and elements(excluding nitrogen), and solar dried to preserve mineral content. Essential for plant health, and through eating plants, your health. Annual application 35gm/m2 for first 2 years, then at half rate for next 3 years, then no further application required for 5 years. Water in. Scoop supplied.
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1.3kg $9
Magic Botanic Liquid (MBL)
Helps release locked-up fertilisers from past applications, and improves availability & take up of chemical and organic fertilisers, production and growth. Use 10ml/litre as a foliar spray.
500ml $13
1 litre $17
Insects
Organic pest control is a healthy alternative to using chemical sprays. It tends to be more effective when mixed together, sprayed in the evening, and in conjunction with strong healthy plants. See insect recipe below.
Neem Tree Oil
An anti feedant, it helps control insect populations by regulating growth. Affected by UV radiation – so spray late in the day, 5ml/litre warm water, and weekly until under control. Best in combination with MBL and Raingard to improve take-up and prolong active period. Non toxic to benificial insects, bees and earthworms. Do not use with copper, sulphur or alkaline sprays.
200ml $11
500ml $17
Key Pyrethrum
Natural insecticide – it is a contact “knock-down” spray stopping insects from eating & maturing and therefore they die (but some may live). Controls populations. Affected by UV radiation – spray late in the day, 2ml/5litres, then weekly until under control . Use within 24 hrs of mixing. Toxic to bees and fish.
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200ml $16
Neem Tree Granules
Helps to control insects in the ground, lawns and in pots. Apply 100g/1m2 garden. For containers, sprinkle 70gm/35 litre pot (4T), 30gm/15 litre pot (2T), 16gm/8 litre pot (1T), 2gm/1 litre pot (1/2 t). For lawns, sprinkle 50 grams/m2 and water in to settle to the soil ideally in autumn when the ground is soft and the grubs are near the surface feeding.
750gm $10
1.8kg $18
Organic Insecticide Recipe - makes up 1 litre of spray
*First application: mix 10ml Neem, 1ml Pyreth, 10ml Magic Botanic Liquid (MBL), 1ml Raingard, and 1 litre of water *Then weekly until under control: mix 5ml Neem, 1ml Pyreth, 1ml Raingard, and 1 litre of water *Use within 24 hours of mixing. *Do not use within 14 days of Copper or Sulphur.
Recipe Includes 200ml Neem Oil 200ml Pyrethrum 500ml MBL 100ml Raingard
Total Cost
$50
Disease & Fungi Control
Mycorrcin
Cleans the soil of pathogens and assists with the restoration of beneficial activity. Apply 5ml/5 litres to drench 5m2 of soil; or 5ml/litre as a foliar spray to reduce disease problems on foliage.
250ml $12
500ml $19
Liquid Copper Concentrate (Copper Hydroxide)
Use for disease prevention & bacterial clean up on open wounds after pruning (eg fruit trees), and deters slugs & snails. Liquid form – no messy preparation required and avoids spray jet blockages. Shake well, fill half, then add: 2ml/1litre or 10ml/5litres. Suitable to use year round and especially after pruning. Not compatible with other sprays (except Raingard). Wash before eating.
250ml $11
500ml $20
Liquid Sulphur Concentrate
A good general purpose fungicide and protection against garden diseases plus spider mites – best for black spot, rust, and mildew. Broader spectrum than Copper. Liquid form - so no messy preparation required and avoids spray jet blockages. Shake well, fill half, then add 2.5ml/litre or 12.5ml/5litres. For new growth, spray fortnightly in spring in the evening (to avoid interfering with pollination). Not compatible with other sprays (except Raingard). 1 day withholding period and wash before eating.
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250ml $10
Perkfection Supa
Stimulates natural plant resistance & recovery for roses and other susceptible plants from diseases such as downy mildew, black spot, phytophthora and other wet weather diseases. First spray 10ml/litre; then 5ml/litre for regular monthly maintenance. Do not use for more than 5 months/year (otherwise it builds up & inhibits growth). No withholding period – but always wash.
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250ml $14
Organic Rose Spray Regime & Recipe
*After pruning in winter: spray with Liquid Copper *Monthly on 1 September and then on the 1st of the month for 5 months max (from Sept - Jan): mix 25ml Perkfection Supa, 25ml Mycorrcin, 50ml MBL, 5ml Rainguard, with 5 litres of water. *Monthly from 15 September and then on the 15th of the month to alternate 14 days appart with other sprays: spray with Liquid Sulphur
Recipe Includes 250ml Perkfection Supa 250ml Mycorrcin 500ml MBL 100ml Raingard
Total Cost
$49
Spray Effectiveness
Raingard
Improves spray performance (through better spreading and sticking) and gives rain protection for up to 14 days. Make up 1ml/litre; compatible with all sprays.
100ml $10
250ml $22
Frost & Weather Protection
Vaporgard
Protects current foliage against frosts down to -3 oC. Reduces transpiration from transplanting, drought & wind, and helps to protect against salt spray. Gives darker, glossy foliage. Apply 15ml/litre every 3 months. Do not use with chemical sprays on food crops.
100ml $12
250ml $23
Mineral Rich Wheat Grass
Organic Wheat Grass Seeds
Most vegetables are capable of taking up 20-40 odd minerals depending on the type of plant. Wheat Grass is capable of taking up 90 odd elements – when made available to the growing grass. So if you are going to grow & juice your own Wheat Grass – then feed it Ocean Solids and water in with Magic Botanic Liquid.
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2kg $9
Starter Kit & Juicer
Container starter kit – including a Healthyjuicer Mark 3, organic seeds, mineral feed, a polystrene box with lid (for growing one tray of wheat grass), and instructions for growing and juicing. It is important to use a manual juicer, because electric juicer blades can heat up and destroy the valuable enzymes.
Kit Includes
Juicer
2kg seeds
1.3kg Ocean Solids
1kg Rok Solid
500ml MBL
Container
Total Cost
$150
Further Reading & Information
The above products are supplied by Wally Richards, writer and owner of Garden Enterprises Limited, Manawatu. If you would like to know more, Wally has more detailed information on all of above plus more on his website www.gardenews.co.nz and in his books.
Please let us know if you would like a personal message in your book from Wally Richards.
SPECIAL OFFER - books are sent freight free
Wally’s Down-to-Earth Gardening Guide
Healthy soil, healthy plants, healthy you - with lots of information on the above products plus much more to think about. Recommended reading.
$28.95
Wally’s Green Tips for Gardeners
Information and tips for new and experienced gardeners.
$22
Freight
For orders in Wellington collected from HEDGE – no charge For orders in the North Island – please add $8 freight For orders in the South Island – please add $12 freight Books only - freight free
Payment
Please include payment with your order. Payments are accepted by cheque or by internet banking. Orders will be dispatched on receipt of payment.
Placing Your Order
We are in the process of updating our site to enable online ordering. In the meantime, please download this Mail Order Form or contact us by email
or telephone (04) 475 5961 and we can confirm your order, the total cost and payment arrangements.
