Mulch
Mulch is nature best natural fertilizer,and soil maker. It is nature's way of keeping a healthy environment,and richy soil. Mulch is made from dead plants. From fallen tree leaves to dried up wildflowers. For example: When leaves fallen from tree and lays on grown, they begin rot and also little micros eat away at it. The leaves begins to decompose. The rich things(minerals,etc.) that the soil needs to help other plants grow goes back in the soil,plus much more. And the decomposed leaves has turned into soil too.
How To Make Mulch:
1. Put tree leaves,grass cuttings,even dried up plants into your garden or in mulch bin
2. Spray little bit of water on mulch so it will help the decomposing. Not totally wet it.
3. About once to twice a week mix mulch up so it can breath. This will also control the smell. This will let you know that the decomposing is going on. The leaves will break down,and turn to a black color. This may take up from a month,depending? If not don't right,it may take even longer,depends. The black color stuff is the ready to use mulch.
4. Place mulch(if from bin)in your garden. Put some in soil too.
Worms
Worms are nature's second best compost creatures next to bacteria. They can eat about half of their body weight in organic waste each day. Making you compost dark and rich,and soil healthy. More better than fertilizer.
Fertilizer
You can use mulch for fertilizer,but if you are going to use fertitizer,use organic. Use naturally fertilizer like cow,horse manure,and other eco freindly organic fertilizer. Best fertilizer to use for you native plants is Bat Guano.
Here is type of fertilizer I use for my native plants:
Dry-Bar Cave Bat Guano-Use to helps strenthen developing roots and plant buds.
Dersert Bat Guano-Use to richen and nutrogen soil.
Ask for it where you buy organic fertilizer. You can buy it straight from Bat Conservation International at www.batcon.org ,even at E Bay www.ebay.com .
Pest Control
The best natural eco-friendly way to get ride of those pesty insects is not the harmful environmental theat insecticide,but soap water. There are even natural and organic pest control on the market,such as Orange Guard pest spay. But if you pesticide,then use poison-free Safer pesticide with soap. It's safe and healthier. It kills insect on contact.
For Orange Guard insecticide,go to www.orangeguard.com . For Safer insecticide,go to www.victorpest.com .