This is a simple guide for those of you who are interested in growing your own organic flower garden.

(EHow) The lovely aroma of flowering plants can awaken the senses, giving a person a true appreciation for nature. Growing your own organic flower garden can bring the beauty of nature to your own back yard, without harmful pesticides. This can be a real treat both for you and the flowers. Pesticides can take a toll on your health and even reduce the life span of your flowers. Toxic chemicals such as mancozeb and chlorothalonil have been labeled as carcinogens. A carcinogen is a substance that is known to cause cancer. Pesticides and herbicides are toxic substances that kill living organisms. The Organic Trade Association has stated that side effects from pesticide exposure range from nausea, asthma, headaches and fatigue, to more serious side effects such as cancer and neurological disorders.

You will need:
Organic seed compost
Flower seeds
Natural predators
Organic sulfur spray
Pruning sheers
Garden tiller

Step 1: Select a spot in your yard where the flowers are likely to get plenty of sun shine.

Step 2: Prepare the soil. Loosen the dirt with a garden tiller. Sprinkle organic seed compost on the dirt.

Step 3: Choose the type of flowers you would like to plant. Buy organic flower seeds at your local nursery or online (see Resources).

Step 4: Soak your seeds. Prior to planting your organic flower seeds, pre-soak the seeds. Soak the seeds in purified water, preferably distilled. Soak the seeds for 15 to 24 hours before planting. This will help the seeds soak up additional moisture.

Step 5: Dig several small holes in the dirt where your seeds will be planted. Plant and cover your seeds in the dirt. Lightly water the seeds.

Step 6: Wait for your flowers to grow. Water your flowers early in the morning on a daily basis.

Step 7: Keep up with pruning. Mildew and black spots can show up on flowers without warning. If the problem is not taken care of right away the disease will spread to other flowers. Prune any diseased flowers and spray all the flowers with organic sulfur spray (see Resources). Spray the flower itself, and the leaves.

Step 8: Allow natural predators in your garden. For an organic garden to flourish, the garden must have beneficial insects, such as lady bugs, praying mantis, ambush bugs, spiders and lacewings. Include plenty of these friendly little critters. Lady bugs can be purchased at many garden centers or online (see Resources).

Tips and Warnings
City water typically contains high levels of chlorine and other chemicals. If you want to give your flowers only the best, invest in a water filtration system that also filters the water outdoors. Or, buy a simple charcoal chlorine filter at your local home improvement store.

Resources
1. Buy organic sulfur spray at Extremely Green.
2. Purchase organic flower seeds at Seeds of Change.
3. Buy live lady bugs at Gardening Zone.

The article below is meant for Valentine’s Day but it still applies regardless of occasions. It spells out the problem of harmful chemicals on flowers imported to the States from South America. We’re also facing the exact problem in Malaysia as most growers use lots of pesticides on the plants and this explains the ‘stubborn’ white residues (and ‘funny’ scent) that you see (and smell) on your fresh cut flowers. Unfortunately, many local farms still lack awareness when it comes to sustainable floral farming. At least, there are a few organizations in the States and Europe that regulates the flower industry for sustainable growing practices but none that I know of in this country. Thus, it is important for us to be more aware of this issue and make the best out of what we have got. So, say yes to local, organic, fair trade, and environmental friendly flowers and NO to flowers with toxic pesticides!

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Organic roses say “I Love You” not pesticides

via GreenYour

Nearly 80% of cut flowers sold in the US are imported from Ecuador and Colombia, due largely to the elimination of import taxes on South American flowers. An unintended byproduct of the off-shoring of the flower industry has been an increase in the chemicals coming into the US on the flowers. All flowers that enter the United States are closely inspected for pests and diseases but not chemicals.

One-fifth of the chemicals used in flower production in South America — such as DDT and methyl-bromide — are restricted or banned in the United States and Europe but products contaminated with these chemicals ARE allowed in. Environmental laws in South America are either lax or not enforced and the consequences are frightening; according to a survey of workers on flower plantations near Bogotá, the workers were exposed to 127 different pesticides, 3 of which are considered extremely toxic.

So this Valentine’s day, say “I love you”, not only to your sweetheart but to the thousands of workers in the flower industry who will continue to be affected until consumers speak out with their wallets and embrace organic.

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So, whenever you want to buy flowers for that special someone, think GREEN! Well, most importantly, it won’t cost you a bomb to go green. The above is a beautiful organic bouquet consisted of pink hydrangeas and tropical gingers which I’ve just arranged. Have a great and green weekend!