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Cultivating Paradise Above the 44th Parallel
There are many streams that run near our property, and many creatures that depend on them for clean drinking water. The use of synthetic fertilizers is a major source of water pollution, not to mention the pollution that is created by trucking the stuff in from who knows where. Sustainable gardening requires us to use organic compost and mulch from local sources, if not compost made at home. I learned the hard way that in attempts to do good deeds by purchasing local compost, one must exercise caution. I purchased a few yards of compost from a local source, only to find that it had not been heated thoroughly to kill weeds. I soon had a garden with more weeds than I could keep up with. I have since come to rely on a local product called MooDoo, a compost made in Middlebury, VT. Their compost is weed-free, they make their own energy from cow manure, and their products are consistently tested for quality. Compost improves soil fertility and drainage, and composting at home can help to reduce the burden that garden waste adds to landfills. While I perfect my composting skills, I rely on MooDoo to help enrich my soil, though I am certain that there are several local resources in which to obtain quality compost. In Vermont we are blessed with frequent rain showers during the summer, though there are brief periods where we can experience drought. Mulch helps to reduce water evaporation and also helps to suppress weeds. Suppressing weeds eliminates the need to use herbicides and reduces the competition for water between weeds and desired plants. A mulch layer can also minimize fluctuations in soil temperature and reduce root damage from temperature extremes. As organic mulches such as bark chips and leaves decompose, they add organic matter to the soil and help to improve soil fertility. Pesticides kill beneficial insects, in addition to the birds and other wildlife that feed on these affected insects. Many pesticides that are still readily available today can potentially harm us in addition to our pets, and many of the long-term health effects are unknown. Pesticide residues get into the food chain, leach into groundwater and run off into our streams and rivers. For serious infestations, there are less toxic products available, and one must consider if a chemical is absolutely necessary to treat the problem. There are three products which I have used, primarily for indoor plants. A safe choice is that of sticky papers and sticky traps. BioNeem and Safer’s soap are considered less toxic, though I do not feel comfortable using them outdoors. For outdoor pests, the less toxic the better. I know of many gardeners who use Horticultural oil with an active ingredient of highly refined paraffinic oil or petroleum oil. While this is a chemical, it is considered less toxic than many other products available. Again, consideration of the severity of the infestation is necessary prior to applying any chemical. A better option is to begin by choosing plants that are more resistant to damaging insects. UVM has a lot of information available which lists various species of shrubs, plants, and trees noting those that are more resistant to infestation. If all gardeners, both new and experienced, continue to adopt and refine the principles of sustainable gardening they will enhance the environment for people, plants, and wildlife. I like to think that our efforts will help future generations enjoy the pleasures of gardening as much as we do. This post has been written as part of the Garden Bloggers Sustainable Living Project, hosted by Jan at Thanks for Today. It is in recognition of Earth Day, which is April 22, 2010. The project includes a Give Away, and submissions are due by March 1st. I hope you will join us! 44 comments to Cultivating Paradise Above the 44th Parallel |
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Lisa, I’m going to add this to this list of participants right now. Meanwhile, would you mind leaving a comment with the actual link? If you could add it to the original post for this I’d appreciate it. Here’s the link for that:
http://thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/2010/01/earth-daysustainable-living-giveaway.html
I haven’t read your whole post yet, but will be back to do so. THank you so much for joining in;-) Jan
Liisa, What a great post! I really appreciate your thoughtful approach to sustainable gardening. -Jean
Another great contribution to Jan’s challenge, Liisa. Very nicely done. A lot of people are thinking in earnest about these topics, and it’s nice to see different ideas brought to the table.
Hi Lisa this is just great and I can so relate to the water pollution issue as in the past it as been a problem around our area – someone put car batteries in the lade near us. Also in the UK for the past 2 years there has been a terrible problem due to aminopyralid hebicide residues being found in manure. The farm animals had been feeding of pasture land that had been treated with this chemical. People were using this manure all over the country and it was killing their crops.
This article refers to it: http://www.allotment.org.uk/garden-diary/257/aminopyralid-herbicide-residue-in-manure-killing-crops/
Living where I do – between the mountains and the sea – water pollution is something that is very important to me – a great post Liisa
K
Thank you, Karen. It is so upsetting the amount of garbage, pesticides, and toxic waste found in oceans, lakes and streams. I can only hope that by increasing awareness, people will stop using pesticides that are harmful to people, animals, and plants.
Rosie,
I find this carelessness so upsetting. It is a complete lack of respect for people, the land, and animals. After reading this article, it makes me think that the manure we use should be sent in for our own testing, and I plan to contact UVM to inquire about this. Thank you so much for the link, Rosie.
Jodi,
Thank you so much. I look forward to visiting the other bloggers today who have posted in recognition of Earth Day.
This makes me really think about my streams around here and what runs off my property. Very thoughtful post on sustainable gardening. Beautiful butterfly-something I’m looking forward to seeing!
Thank you, Jean. It is a pleasure knowing that we can not only beautify our surroundings, but benefit them, too.
Jan,
I so appreciate the opportunity you have given me to post about something in which I am very passionate. I have added my post with a link added to your original post. I look forward to reading the posts written by other bloggers on this subject.
Tina,
Thank you so much. I too look forward to seeing these winged beauties return to the garden. I so miss seeing and hearing the activity of the bees and butterflies during the winter months.
A wonderful post with a lot for gardeners to think about. For me, compost is my best friend in the garden, with mulch a close second.
I came to you via an Artist’s Garden and am so pleased I did. Fascinating and thoughtful post on something very close to my heart. I make my own compost and import vast quantities of horse manure from a helpful horse owning friend. It’s amazing how much you can produce, although of course it is never enough!
Thank you, Elizabeth, and welcome! It does seem that the compost made at home is never enough. You are lucky to have a friend who is willing to share, and nice to know where the manure is coming from. This is a subject very near to my heart as well, and I thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Noelle,
Thank you so much. Quality compost and mulch are essentials for me, as well. I am thankful I learned about the importance of quality soil in the very beginning when I was starting out.
Hi Liisa, a thorough and illuminating post! You words sent me to the recycle bin to read the label on the empty bagged compost package that we like to use on the veggie beds, Black Kow. We also use our home grown compost, but don’t produce nearly enough and have to buy some, lots, to supplement. I went to their website, they are in Florida, and it seems they are doing the right things to help the environment. It is more expensive, but like you, we want to be sure of what we are putting on our precious gardens.
Frances
Thank you, Frances. Making enough homemade compost does prove rather challenging. Like you, I am willing to pay a little more for a quality product. And, the garden rewards us with healthy plants and abundant blooms. The garden does not smell very good for a few days after applying the compost, though the plants don’t seem to mind.
Liisa, I really enjoyed reading this post~ lots of great information and a wonderful butterfly shot. In Tennessee they’ve begun to call wet weather streams water conveyances in order to, I believe, get away with covering them over and polluting them. Sigh! gail
I GREATLY enjoyed reading this. I had my soil tested before I started the gardens. I wasn’t too thrilled seeing the results but it certainly made soil amendments less of a hit or miss proposition.
Great post Liisa! I sure wish we had MooDoo around here, sounds like a great product. Hubby’s over there reading an article on lawn care, and they reccomend something called Chickity Doo Doo. We sure laughed, but of course we looked up a local source to try it! LOL
Robin,
I have really enjoyed reading the comments left here by my fellow bloggers. It is wonderful to hear of their efforts as well as some frustrations. Thank you so much for chiming in!
The names of some of these products are rather amusing, aren’t they?
Kate,
I am so happy to hear you enjoyed the post. Having your soil tested can be a bit disheartening, but you are exactly right. It will save us some frustration in the long run.
Gail,
Thank you so much. Your comment about the water conveyances in Tennessee is very interesting, and turns up so much information in a google search. This is something I was not aware of, and look forward to doing a bit of research. It seems there must be a better solution.
Liisa, Sorry I didn’t leave a longer comment when I was here the first time…Your post is really good! Great information and tips on soil testing and use of chemicals in the garden…We have a stream that runs not to far down the street from us so I’ve often thought of the wildlife that depends on that. (Many of them are deer, who like to come up and eat my plants…but I won’t go in to that!!). I will be careful this year about what I use for compost and mulch in the gardens, as we don’t always buy the same stuff from the same place. Will pay more attention this year and also am adding our own, although, it won’t be nearly enough. Have a great day;-)
This was an enjoyable post to read. Sustainable gardening makes a lot of sense. Your blog is beautiful ~ gorgeous photograps. It is obvious that you truly cultivate paradise.
Kate,
Thank you for visiting, and for your kind comments. Sustainable gardening is something very near and dear to my heart, and I enjoyed the opportunity to do this post. I so enjoyed your recent post, and images of the sweet peas!
Jan,
Thank you so much. I do worry about the streams nearby, and hope that others in the surrounding area take care to keep them clean. It seems that many of us rely on adding compost from other sources, as it is difficult to make the amount we need.
You make such a good point about getting a soil test. When I had my soil tested it showed high in P and K, so it’s important to know what your soil actually needs if anything. I like spread a layer of compost each year really as my mulch. I need to head over and check out the sustainability project.
Thank you for visiting me the other day Liisa. Over a few days I checked out all of your posts- so wonderful- botanic gardens, butterflies, etc. I will look forward to see how the design takes shape on your hill.
Dear Liisa, I came back to let you know that there is a posting up on my blog about the book and other wonderful gifts you sent. Thanks again for drawing my name!!!!
http://fairegarden.wordpress.com/2010/02/24/thank-you-2/
Frances
Excellent post and most informative. Arrived via Frances who left a wonderful post about you
We live on just a city lot but have always avoided any chemicals of any kind in our garden. Hey we’re old hippies! We have so many birds and insects that we don’t want to harm. Thankfully, my older neighbour has finally stopped using pesticides for the most part which would, of course, drift over the fence. Your words are timely. Our municipality has passed a bylaw forbidding pesticides at last.
Bloomin Rs,
I too spread a layer of compost each year as a mulch, though I am considering adding some bark chips this year. I do hope you will visit Jan, and check out her sustainability project. I so enjoyed visiting your blog, your photographs are just beautiful.
Frances,
Your post was such a delightful surprise! You are so welcome, and it makes me so happy to know that you are enjoying everything!!
Joey,
Welcome, and thank you so much for visiting!!
Helen,
I will hope that pesticides are soon forbidden here, as well.
The critters that visit my garden give me just as much pleasure as the garden itself. I am always so happy to hear of others that look out for their well being. I find myself wanting to plea with neighbors not to use chemicals of any kind, but I fear that they would soon start referring to me as “That Crazy Woman That Lives on the Hill”…
Your blog is really nice to read and i wish there was more like this around. Thank you
Thank you, Kelvin. And, thank you for visiting.
Brava! Brava! Liisa! Great and Important post! Perfect title too! You are helping the earth and all of us reclaim paradise. ;>) Carol
Thank you, Carol. Such a pleasure to see you here once again. I hope that you are feeling much better. In my attempts to cultivate a paradise for my wild visitors, I enjoyed the company of a raccoon at my bird feeder this morning. Probably not a welcome visitor for some, but I didn’t have the heart to shoo him away. There are no bird eggs to worry about now. I was having such fun studying his thick brown fur and bandit eyes while he searched the ground for seeds. I suppose it is time once again to consider those squirrel-proof bird feeders to keep both squirrels and raccoons at bay.
~Liisa
I just came across your posting on Cady’s Falls… without a doubt, this is one of my all time favorite gardens… I love their web site too… Larry
Larry,
~Liisa
Welcome, and thank you for visiting. Cady’s Falls is such a great mini escape. I so enjoy strolling through their established gardens. It is inevitable that through my meandering I discover something that I can’t live without! I agree, they have done an amazing job with their website.
Liisa,
What an interesting and informative post! It seems you have quite a following on your blog. I can see why- it’s a really detailed and interesting look into the world of gardening! I look forward to reading more about your gardening throughout the spring and summer, especially since I miss Vermont!
Ren
Thank you, Ren. Over the spring and summer I plan to visit and post on some gardens scattered throughout Vermont. I am really looking forward to it. I am also looking forward to seeing some more of the surrounding vegetation in Jeju. I really enjoyed the photos of the orange grove. We miss you, but hope you are having a wonderful time!
~Liisa