July 2009 Archives

Yet it doesn’t have to be this way. We can still have beautiful outdoor spaces while being more responsible in our choices of how we make them so. But where do we start? Indeed there are many ways to be greener, but here are five things you can do right now to be more eco-friendly, starting in your own backyard.

1.) Put the right plant in the right place.
In my role as host of Garden Smart on PBS, I have the opportunity to travel around the country touring spectacular gardens. The first question I ask the gardener at each location is, “What’s the one thing you do to keep your plants looking so good all year long?” I always get the same response, “Put the right plant in the right place.”

When plants (including lawns) are growing in their ideal environment, they thrive. And when plants thrive, they are naturally more resistant to pests and diseases. That means fewer chemicals going onto the plants and into the soil.  Conversely, when plants are improperly placed, they become stressed and prone to attack from those same adversaries. We unknowingly respond to these visible signs of trouble by pouring on the fertilizer and chemicals and making our garden even less eco-friendly than before. Growing the right plant in the right place dramatically reduces the amount of chemicals needed to keep plants looking their best.

2.) Use rain barrels.
Many parts of the country are facing a serious water shortage, resulting in restrictions and all out bans on outdoor irrigation. Harvesting and retaining rainwater for later use is like money in the bank. Rain barrels are one of the easiest ways to capture water from gutters and downspouts. Just a tenth of an inch of rain on a 1,000 square foot roof area can fill a 60-gallon barrel.

Keeping plants alive during drought conditions is good for the environment too since living root systems help reduce soil erosion and runoff of potentially harmful chemicals. You can purchase rain barrels today at many mass retail and garden centers or make your own.

3.) Make compost
There is simply no better amendment for your lawn or garden than compost. It is loaded with organic nutrients and it has something no manmade fertilizer can offer; beneficial fungi and bacteria; microorganisms that work wonders to improve the overall health and structure of ordinary garden soil. Compost helps retain moisture in sandy soil and improves drainage in heavy or compact soil. It’s also known to suppress numerous soil born plant diseases and buffer soil pH. The bottom line is, healthier soil leads to healthier plants that don’t require extra chemicals to thrive. An added bonus is that making your own compost reduces waste that could otherwise end up in the landfill.

4.) Get a soil test
A soil test, available from your county extension service or private labs is an easy and inexpensive way to find out about the nutrient quality of your soil. The report will indicate nutrient deficiencies and suggested applications to improve levels. But it will often reveal that nutrient levels are already sufficient, saving you and the environment from adding unnecessary fertilizers. Look for labs that offer organic nutrient options. Find your county extension service at www.csrees.usda.gov/extension.

5.) Use Mulch
Mulch is an important tool in so many ways. It keeps soil temperatures cooler in summer and warmer in winter, retains vital moisture in the ground, suppresses weed growth and prevents many soil-borne diseases from splashing onto leaf surfaces. As mulch breaks down, it adds back valuable organic matter. A three-inch layer around your plants and trees will help reduce the need for water and chemicals.

Just be sure when purchasing mulch that it is free of potentially harmful contaminants such as arsenic from treated wood. The Mulch and Soil Council has a certification seal to identify bagged products that are free of unacceptable materials. To learn more: www.mulchandsoilcouncil.org.

It all adds up.  These five simple yet significant actions are a great place to start. But don’t stop there! Some will do much, others very little, but if we all do something, we’ll be well on our way to creating a more eco-friendly environment, not only in our own tiny plot, but also for the one we all share and cultivate together.  
JL

I’m often asked, from where or whom did I acquire my love of gardening? Unlike many who can attribute it to a family member, often a grandparent, I have no such knowledge of any family member leading me down the path to gardening obsession. In fact, the only thing I remember about a family member as it relates to gardening was the time my grandmother about took me over her knee for picking off her lovely red, marble-sized fruit that happened to be the most ornamental feature of the Christmas palms that lined her driveway. As an eight-year-old, I couldn’t see the big deal. Now though, I’m surprised she didn’t follow through on a well-deserved spanking.

Although I wouldn’t consider my parents gardeners, my dad tended to the recurring weekend chores of mowing, weeding and trimming. I’m not sure I was enamored with any of those responsibilities but as a young boy simply wanting to spend time with his dad, I was happy to take on any task relating to yard work.

But as I’ve often reflected back on this recurring question, it always comes back to one incident that stands out as that “ah ha” moment. About the same age as when my grandmother almost tattooed my bottom, I was in my backyard on Saturday doing what many young boys do at that age: break branches and make forts. However, one of those broken branches I realized after the fact was from a special shrub my dad had recently purchased and was quite protective of. Having realized the mistake I had just made and not wanting to get caught, I immediately stuck the branch back into the soil, so as to make it appear as though it was alive and well.

About a month later, I wondered what became of that broken branch, so cleverly concealed by my efforts to simply stick it back in the ground. As I secretly ventured out to check on its fate, I gave the branch a tug. Much to my surprise, it resisted my pull. In the short time it had been left in the ground, it formed roots that sustained its life. More importantly, it was that moment that changed my life forever.

I was immediately intrigued. How could a stick turn into a new plant with roots? I had to know more. I began growing lots of plants from cuttings. Living in south Florida at the time certainly provided the ideal growing conditions for an outdoor laboratory such as mine. Within weeks, I had countless cuttings potted up in everything from cups to buckets. I began growing flowers from seeds and propagating stag horn ferns so prolifically that I created a profitable backyard nursery.

Along the way, I grew roses, grafted fruit trees, and sold plants at neighborhood yard sales. When I wasn’t growing something, I spent my free time roaming the back acres of a tropical tree nursery a mere block from my house. It was a magical experience to a young boy enamored with anything that grew. And all of this took place before I played my first little league game at the age of 10.

Although my time in little league was short-lived, my love of gardening and nature was not. In fact, it was just getting started. Almost 40 years later, my passion for all things green is stronger than ever. And the more I know, the greater my desire to learn the things I don’t. Who knew a few roots growing from a broken branch as a young boy would change my life forever? So I guess you could say I did get my love of gardening from my parents, just not in the traditional sense.