Home and Earth

Where We Live and Grow

A Tips and Information Site For Making Our Home and Earth A Better Place To Live

A

alfalfa meal

A natural growth stimulator made from alfalfa. It is fast acting and has a NPK of 3 - 1 - 2.

aerobic composting

Composting requiring air or oxygen.

B

bacteria

Microorganisms that grow in soil, freshwater and seawater. Bacteria are important in recycling biodegradable material and in efficient plant, animal and human growth.

beneficial

Good or helpful.

beneficial organism

Any organism that benefits the growing process. Benefits include pest control, pollination, and maintenance of soil health. The opposite of beneficial organisms are pests, which are organisms considered harmful to the growing process.

Types of beneficial organisms:

• insects
• arachnids
• animals
• plants
• bacteria
• fungi
• viruses
• nematodes

C

castings

Earthworm manure, an organic fertilizer rich in microorganisms, nutrients and minerals.

chemical fertilizer

Chemical fertilizers (this is an explanation more than a definition) tend to pollute and damage the earths soil, water and air. They can have a devastating effect on our environment resulting in poor quality food, drinking water and fresh air.

compost

Decayed or decomposed organic matter from plants and/or animals. Compost is your soil’s food. Good compost has an earthy smell and rich in nutrients. It is used in outdoor and indoor gardening. Added to soil, it helps it to hold water and improves drainage, supplies nutrients and feeds beneficial microorganisms. Compost can help seedlings off to a good start and improve the health of mature plants.

Compost material:

• banana peelings
• cantaloupe rinds
• coffee grounds
• corncobs
• cucumber skins
• eggshells
• human hair - clean
• leaves
• manure - no cat or dog

Fresh manure is best used to help get organic matter decomposing or biologically active. It is easier to handle if it is rotted or aged.


• pine needles
• potato skins
• tea grounds

compost pile

A pile of leaves, grass clippings and yard waste, and you have a pile of soon to be naturally fertilizer.

D

drip irrigation

An irrigation system that applies water slowly to the roots of plants, by dripping the water either on the soil surface or directly at the root zone. Drip irrigation uses emitters, which emit the water in a slow stream, and may also use small sprinklers, which spray water in a small area.

E

earthworm

Earthworms (also called nightcrawlers) are very important animals that aerate the soil with their burrowing action and enrich the soil with their waste products (called castings). Healthy soil can have as many as 1,000,000 (a million) worms per acre.

ecosystem

The word ecosystem is short for ecological systems. A community of all plants, animals and microorganisms and their interaction with their non-living environment.

environment

The area in which beneficial organisms, plants and animals exists or lives.

F

fish emulsion

A liquid fertilizer that is produced from the fluid remains of fish processed for fish oil and fish meal.

G

garden

A part of land or a yard where plants are grown. Vegetables, flowers, fruits, herbs, trees, bushes and grass are parts of a garden. Man made structures and animals are also parts of a garden.

H

house plants

Plants that are grown in containers indoors.

I

inorganic

Not coming from living organisms or what was once alive. Composed of minerals rather than living material and are man made.

J

K

L

landscape

The visible features of land or a yard. These features could be plants, animals or structures such as furniture, a patio, lighting fixtures or water fountain.

loam

Rich soil composed of clay, sand, and some organic matter.

M

micronutrients

Are nutrients needed for life in small amounts.

microorganisms

Living creatures that are too small to be seen with the naked eye that help to improve the soil.

mulch

Any loose organic material placed over the soil to control weeds, conserve soil moisture, maintain even soil temperature or for decorative purposes. Usually this is coarse compost, shredded leaves, grass clippings or bark. It also keeps water from splashing onto plants preventing possible diseases.

N

native plants

Plants that grow naturally in a specific region or area.

nitrogen

The first major element responsible for the vegetative growth of plants above ground. Plants grow sturdy and mature quickly, with rich, dark green foliage.

non organic fertilizer

Fertilizer containing chemicals that are added to the soil to improve its fertility. Chemical ferticlizers can be harmful to the environment if used in large amounts.

NPK

Fertilizer terminology meaning Nitrogen - Phosphorus - Potassium. When fertilizers are listed on a label they are always in this order and the number means the % of each element. For example, a 10 -15 -10 fertilizer contains 10% Nitrogen, 15% Phosphorus and 10% Potassium.

O

organic

Coming from living organisms or what was once alive (plant waste and manures).

organic fertilizer

A natural fertilizer that comes from living things such as animals and vegetable matter that increases soil fertility.

Organic fertilizers:

Manures should be composted or aged before using them.

• alfalfa meal
• bone meal
• blood meal
• chicken manure
• compost
• cow manure
• fish emulsion
• fish meal
• green sand
• horse manure
• rabbit manure
• rock phosphate
• worm castings

organic gardening

Organic gardening is a method of gardening using organic (natural) fertilizers, compost, beneficial insects and without using synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.

organism

A living thing such as an animal, plant, fungus, or micro-organism.

ornamental

Any plant grown for its good looks or beauty.

P

phosphorus

The second major element for plant nutrition, phosphorus is essential for healthy growth, h4 roots, fruit and flower development, and greater resistance to disease.

potassium

The third major plant nutrient, potassium is essential for the development of h4 plants. It helps plants to resist diseases, protects them from the cold and protects during dry weather by preventing excessive water loss.

Q

R

redworms

A common worm used for vermicomposting.

resistant

Able to not be infected by disease or some other force.

S

semi-tropical or subtropical

Regions bordering north and south of the tropical zones of the earth. Their climates are mostly warm and rarely get cold.

soaker hose

A porous hose that allows water to seep from it and is used to irrigate plants. It conserves water and doesn't wet plant foliage.

soil

Soil is made up of mineral particles, organic matter, air, and water. The mineral particles are called sand, clay, and silt. Loam is a mixture of sandy soil, clay, and organic matter. The organic matter acts like a sponge to hold water.

soil amendment

Organic matter added to the soil that makes it healthier by activating microorganisms, improving drainage and aeration, balancing pH,  and adding nutrients.

sustain

To make something continue to exist.

T

tropical

This area of the earth is centered on the equator and is usually very warm and humid.

U

V

vermicompost

Composting with earthworms. Worms (redworms) feed on decomposing organic matter that will produce a nutrient-rich soil amendment called castings.

Vermicompost material (worm food):

• apple peelings
• banana peelings
• cantaloupe rinds
• citrus peelings (in small amounts at a time)
• coffee grounds
• corncobs
• cucumber skins
• human hair (clean)
• leaves
• pine needles (composted)
• potato skins
• stale bread
• tea grounds

W

worm manure

See: vermicompost

X

Y

Z