Now, in 2008, what does "Green" mean to you?
No doubt, it has taken on a few meanings over the years, it could be gardening, it could be money, it could be being environmentally conscious.
These days, when discussing landscaping, it means all three.
Does being environmentally correct mean that we need to put up with weeds or brown lawns and dying gardens? Do we have to spend a ton more money than we already do to keep our lawns and gardens beautiful and lush?
We get these questions all the time lately. Particularly when we suggest anything organic. The answer is usually, "I don't want to be un-PC, but will it still look the same?"
The answer is the same as it has always been, "It all depends."
The first part of the answer is the climate and conditions of the micro-environment that we are looking at. If the plantings are in tune with the area, such as the USDA hardiness zone or native plantings, and the climate doesn't go out of the normal range, then you may not have to do anything more than a little more weeding than usual and feed it organically according to the directions of the product.
The other part of the answer is that, yes, currently, unless you make your own compost and have a good source of manure, the cost is a bit higher to go organic than to use chemical fertilizers. Those costs are coming down, and more quickly lately than before, as more and more companies start to introduce organic lines in addition to their standard one.
Another thing to remember is that most of the plants you purchase are not organic. They are still planted and nurtured in what has become the traditional way. So, unless you check the label carefully and it states "organically grown," you are probably introducing chemicals into your garden.
In the following articles, we will bring you information on where you can get organic materials and plants. In the meantime, happy gardening!
© Barbara Frerichs 2008
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