Organic Gardening: How to Have an Environmentally-Friendly and Beautiful Garden
by
Dawn West All About Lawns Columnist
Chemicals often come in handy in your yard and garden. You've
got some serious weeds, and a little herbicide will go a long way.
You've got an insect infestation, and spraying with a nice pesticide
will definitely do the trick. But what if all those chemicals aren't
your style? You've got kids, you've got pets,
or you have environmental concerns. Does that mean putting up with
those weeds and bugs? Turns out there are lots of alternative organic
gardening strategies and treatments. With the right tools and tricks,
organic gardens can be every bit as beautiful as their conventional
counterparts. Here are a few tips to help you have the best organic
lawn and garden on the block.
Tip #1 -- Healthy Lawns and Gardens Are the Best Defense Lawns
that are struggling are the most susceptible to weeds and lawn disease.
Watering in the morning, fertilizing regularly (with organic
fertilizer) so your lawn is thick and the plants in your garden are
hardy, and keeping your lawn on the long side to shade out weeds are
great strategies for preventing the problems that typically lead to
chemical solutions.
Turns out
soap and water solutions are great for fighting lawn disease and insect
infestations. There are plenty of recipes out there for home-made lawn
and garden solutions. Don't be afraid to try vinegar, baking soda,
tobacco juice, or beer. Organic gardening concoctions aren't just
environmentally friendly, they're also much easier on the wallet!
Tip #3 -- Shop Organic Just because you're not buying
traditional chemical lawn and garden treatments doesn't mean the
shelves of garden supply centers (and their online counterparts) don't
have some great offerings for you. Organic gardening treatments, from
fertilizers to weed fighters, are widely available these days. So shop
away!
About the Author
Dawn West B.A. holds a B.A. in English from Harvard University and teaches writing at Oregon State University.
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