Organic Experts' Favorite Products

"Here are some favorite products of organic gardening advocates Doug Oster, Scott Meyer and Mark Roesner:

• Corn gluten meal, a byproduct of corn milling that can be used on the lawn for pre-emergent control of crab grass, dandelions and other weeds. It works by preventing seeds from germinating, so timing is critical.

• BurnOut II, a weed and grass killer made from vinegar, clove oil and other ingredients. It's good for spot-treating weeds in sidewalk cracks, mulched beds and fence lines.

• Blended fertilizers such as Re-Vita, made by Hartville's Ohio Earth Food Inc., and fertilizers made by Espoma (Plant-tone, Holly-tone, Bulb-tone, Rose-tone, etc.). These are blends of natural ingredients combined to provide a complete plant food. They contain trace elements that result in tastier food crops and healthier plants.

• Insecticidal soap. This product kills a number of soft-bodied insects, including aphids, mealybugs, mites, earwigs and grasshoppers, but it must come in contact with the insect while it's still wet. It can be used on vegetables right up to harvest."

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