Skippa's Keys to Organic Gardening

• Raised beds, 3-6" high and 10-12" deep, provide good drainage that reduces disease problems.
• Composted manure improves the soil and adds nutrients.
• Work compost made from leaves and twigs into the beds every winter.
• Spray a seaweed extract on vegetables every two weeks.
• Apply an organic slow-release fertilizer once a month.
• Use insecticidal soap, hot pepper spray, and any other natural plant solution (see I Must Garden for products) to repel insects.
• Companion planting, such as marigolds, calendulas, herbs, and shredded red cedar mulch also help repel insects.