ORGANICS

 January:

1. Start seeds indoors or in cold frames for warm weather vegetables and herbs.

       2.  Apply Dry Molasses at the rate of 
            10-15# / 1000 Sq. Ft.  This will 
            stimulate & feed the microbes & 
            help break down thatch. 

3. Top dress or incorporate new plantings with Natures Guide “Natural Blooms.”

4. Apply root stimulator to newly planted trees and shrubs.  Use Medina Plus, or Liquid Seaweed.

5. Spray Bonide All Seasons Oil for over wintering insects.

6. Begin applying Nature’s Guide Corn Gluten Meal at the rate of 15-20 # per 1000 sq. ft.    Temperature is key to timing and must be done before germination of weeds.   If in a wet season application can begin around the time bulbs begin to emerge and the forsythia begin to bloom.

7. Remember to water and turn your compost pile and add cottonseed meal, or Hi-Yield Compost Maker.

8. Plant Fruit trees, onions, potatoes – apply “Medina” as a Root Simulator to fruit trees.  

February:

1.       Start seeds indoors or in cold frame for appropriate planting times outside.

2.      Prepare new beds with Back to Nature, Vital Earth Select Blend Compost, Expanded Shale w/ Compost, Greensand, and or Lava Sand.

3.      Apply Organic Lawn fertilizer such as:  Natures Guide 4-3-2 (Poultry Based), or Bradfield 3-1-5,  or Natures Guide 6-1-4 (Alfalfa Based)

4.      Continue applying Corn Gluten Meal.  It can also be applied to flower beds, and between rows of vegetable gardens.  DO NOT apply were seeding will be done.

5.      Mulch beds if not done in the fall to suppress weeds.

6.      Time to plant onions, potatoes, asparagus …. If not done in January  Apply Tomato Pepper Food.

7.      Treat emerged weeds with 20% Vinegar, or and combination of 10% Vinegar, Orange Oil & dish washing liquid.

March:

1.       Spray for any insect problems and fruit trees after bud break BT, Spinosad, Insecticidal Soap, or Neem.

2.      Beneficial Insects can be introduced after last freeze.

3.      Apply Natures Guide “Natural Blooms”, “Rose Food”, “Azalea Food”, and “Tomato /Pepper Food” to containers, and newly planted areas.

4.      Mulch new plantings.

5.      Apply combination Greensand, Lava Sand and compost in a thin layer on lawns when they come out of dormancy.

6.      If  Corn Gluten was applied in January or February, apply an organic fertilizer 4-6 weeks later at a rate of 15- 20#  per 1000 sq. Ft.:  Natures Guide 4-3-2 (Poultry Based), or Bradfield 3-1-5,  or Natures Guide 6-1-4 (Alfalfa Based)

April:

1. Plant warm weather vegetables, top dress or incorporate Natures Guide Tomato / Pepper Food.   Plant spring color – Top dress with Natures Guide Natural Blooms.

2. Begin foliar spraying with Hasta Gro, or Nature’s Guide Liquid Seaweed.  Applications can be made   every 10-14 days until first freeze in fall.

3. Treat fire ant mounds with Natures Guide Mound Drench, or Come and Get It Fire Ant Killer with Spinosad.

4. At first signs of fungus treat with Potassium Bicarbonate, or Horticultural Corn Meal. 

5. Repeat spray for insects if infestation is detected, or beneficial insects can be introduced.

6. Fertilize Azaleas after bloom with Natures Guide Azalea Food.

May:

1. Treat weeds with 20% Vinegar, or and combination of 10% Vinegar, Orange Oil & dish washing liquid.  
2. Spray repellants for insects using Mosquito Spray, Garlic, or Garlic Pepper Tea.

3. Mow grass at 3” or higher level to suppress weeds and conserve water.  
4. Thin fruit from over loaded trees.

5. Plant okra, black-eyed peas, and summer bulbs. 

      6.  Apply Natures Guide Sick Tree Treatment at the end of the month to prevent heat stress.

June:

1. Second application of organic fertilizer can be done at this time if on organic program less than w years.  
2. Stressed lawn will benefit from applications of Natures Guide Humate, or Hasta Gro, and Molasses.

3. Sulfur can be applied to green up the lawn and help with insect and fungal control.

4. Apply mosquito repellants when needed.

5. Watering should be done in the morning.  Deeper watering less often, as opposed to frequent shallow watering.

6. Treat for fungus with Potassium Bicarbonate, and Horticultural Corn Meal.

July:

1. Foliar spray with Natures Guide Compost Tea, Liquid Seaweed Tea or Hasta Gro to help protect against Heat stress, and deter insects.  
2. Continue introducing beneficial nematodes for control of fire ants, fleas and grub worms.

3.  Make sure plants are evenly watered.  Extreme variances in moisture can cause stress and lead to spider

Mite infestations.  If this occurs spray water with high pressure, on sturdier plants every 4-5 days.  If the problem worsens or the plants are tender – control with an application of  Seeweed, Spinosad, Neem, or Insecticidal Soap at 5-7 day intervals.  Remember to cover all surfaces of the plant especially the back of the leaves.

4. Insects can also be controlled with Diatomaceous Earth, Garlic Spray, Garlic Pepper Tea, Orange Oil, and Seaweed.

5. Continue deep watering and mowing at 3” or higher.

6. Turn compost pile and water every time you add new material for best results.  Cottonseed Meal can also be added to help with decomposition and for nitrogen source.

August:

1. Mulch Beds and new plantings. 

2. Make sure clippings are mulched or re-mowed so they are not left in clumps on the lawn in the heat of summer.   
3. Prepare and plant garden for Fall with manure, lava sand, green sand, and compost.

4. Topdress or incorporate new plantings with Natures Guide Natural Blooms, or Rose Glow.

5. Continue spot spraying for weeds with 10% or 20% Vinegar.

6. Clean up dead vegetation and spent fruit to discourage insects and fungal problems.

7. Treat fungus with Horticultural Corn Meal, Garlic, or Potassium Bicarbonate.  

September:

1. Application of Natures Guide Dry Molasses will help break down thatch & discourage fire ants.  
2. Natures Guide Humate or Hasta Gro will help stimulate microbial activity, aid in breaking down thatch and works as a detoxifier in combination with molasses.

3. Organic fertilizer such as: Natures Guide 4-3-2 (Poultry Based), or Bradfield 3-1-5,  or Natures Guide 6-1-4 (Alfalfa Based)

4. Begin spraying Thuricide at first sign of webworms.  Especially in a wet season.

5. Plant seed for spinach, mustard, chard, and collards.

6. Top dress drip areas of trees and shrubs with Natures Guide Sick Tree Treatment.  

October: 

1. Begin applying corn gluten meal after nighttime temperatures drop to low 70’s or below or if in a wet season.  Temperature and moisture are key.

2. Over seeding can be done if in a wet season.  If over seeding – do not use corn gluten meal.   Water with Hasta Gro Lawn.

3. Continue treating for webworms and bagworms if problem exists

4. Annual color (Pansies, Violas, Cabbage & Kale)  can be planted using Natures Guide Natural Blooms

November:

1. Fall Organic fertilization and Corn Gluten Meal can be applied until mid-November or first hard freeze.  
2. Apply oils sprays for scale, mites – to prevent insects from over wintering.  
3. After first hard freeze clean up dead foliage from annuals, and top dress with compost or mulch beds to discourage winter weeds.  Corn Gluten can be used in flowerbeds and under bird feeders to control weed germinations. 

4. Move tropical plants indoors and treat soil surface with DE for any insects.  

December:

1.       Plant pre-chilled bulbs using Hi-Yield Bone Meal.

2.      Cover new plantings with frost cloth to protect from freezing weather.

3.      Wrap tender palms and banana trees with burlap.  Cover Faucets.

4.      If mild winter continue foliar sprays and fungal treatments.

*  Beneficial insects can be introduced anytime temperatures are above freezing and there is adequate moisture.

     
ORGANIC  MAINTENANCE CALENDER