Sometimes it’s not an easy choice between our safety and the safety of our plants and soil. If I lived alone, I’d give the nod to the latter. But, I […]
Articles on Eco-Friendly Ideas
Organic Pest Controls
Organic pest control methods are generally less environmentally damaging and toxic. Whenever possible, you should use the least toxic method first. There are some very effective natural pest control treatments […]
Supplement Natural Water Sources for Wildlife
Ever wonder where wildlife goes to get the water they depend on for survival? Natural water supplies are of course the obvious first choice but in the face of increasing […]
Turning Junk Mail into Gardeners Gold
Earlier I addressed the subject of things you can and can’t compost from within your home. But now allow me to isolate and elaborate on my favorite part of the […]
Soil Prep for the Vegetable Garden
True gardeners rarely refer to soil as simply dirt. They understand the difference between the stuff you dig up in your backyard versus the “black gold” that consist of compost, […]
The IPM Approach to Environmental Stewardship
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an approach to pest control that uses a combination of treatments starting with the least toxic steps first. By identifying a pest, and understanding its […]
Environmentally Friendly Fertilizers
So it’s finally cool for mainstream America to go green. Organic, environmentally friendly products are showing up everywhere, from what we put in our gardens to the clothes we wear […]
Soil that is Alive…is Well
Did you ever wonder why good healthy soil smells so wonderful? You can thank actinomycetes (ac-ti-no-my-cetes) for that. But don’t worry about how to pronounce it. Just know they’re living […]
“Green” Your Garden Using Drought Tolerant Plants
Did you know that you can cut your water use by up to 50% or more just by using drought-tolerant plants instead of thirsty ones? Using plants that require less […]
Why Your Garden May Not Be As Green As You Think
In referring to my book title, The Green Gardener’s Guide, someone asked me recently, “aren’t all gardens green?” That simple yet serious question stopped me in my tracks. Little did […]
What is the ‘Greener’ Choice in Christmas Trees, Real vs. Artificial?
For the first twenty something years of my life, real Christmas trees were the only option I ever knew. And frankly, artificial trees were so depressingly plastic-looking back then, I’m […]
Controlling Weeds Organically
So how do you know if that plant you are looking at in the ground is really a weed? Pull it up. If it comes out easily, it wasn’t a […]
Dispose of Pressure Treated Lumber Properly
No doubt, you’ve heard the rumblings of using pressure treated wood, not only for raised garden beds but for play sets, decking, picnic tables, and more. The concerns are valid […]
Little Things Do Add Up
Gardening has been a passion of mine for nearly my entire life. I have enjoyed it so much as a hobby and I’ve been fortunate enough to earn my living […]
Cisterns are Simply Rain Barrels on Steroids
Rainwater harvesting is not new. It has been used around the world for thousands of years. Today, we hear the term more and more, but not in terms of providing […]
