New Year and New Ways to Garden

As the 2007 year draws to a close and the new year is about to begin, it is a good time to reflect on the ways we have been gardening. As an educator for approximately 33 years, I find it interesting how teaching methods seem to come full circle. Each year, new methods are introduced, but time has proven that some of the old methods are still the best methods.

It is the same with gardening. Some of the best tried and true methods were those practices used by our grandparents and great grandparents. They did not have the benefit of pesticides, fertilizers and fancy garden equipment. They used simple methods and products that were readily available and affordable.

Many gardeners are now realizing that new is not always better. For instance, I still use what some might call a honey hoe to cultivate with. It was my grandparents and I have never come across one like it anywhere, yet it is the tool I grab first and foremost, whenever I head out to weed or cultivate my garden.

As our world experiences global warming, pollution, increasing rates of cancer and autism, it would benefit all of us to rethink our methods of gardening. Consider including drought tolerant plants to reduce water consumption. Plant an extra tree to help reduce pollution, provide a habitat for wildlife and reduce consumption of energy for air conditioning. Grow more native plants and less invasive species. You will find that they do better in your locale and are more resistant to disease and pests. Cut back on the fertilizers and pesticides. Consider I.P.M. (Integrated Pest Management) or better yet go organic. Start using products that are better for our environment and healthier for you.

Take time and join a garden forum where ideas and practices can be shared. I would highly recommend The Organic Gardeners Forum run by Doug Oster and Jessica Walliser. Both are knowledgeable professionals that are happy to help each of us to garden in a more earth friendly way. You may just find that your methods of gardening lead you full circle to those of your ancestors.

How lovely are the sites of the holidays..I wonder what the critters think?

As I look around at the lights and holiday decorations at each home, I wonder what the critters think about this annual ritual. Do the deer think how nice man is to light up the outside so they can find their way to that tasty rhododendron? Or do they wonder if their under seige by the giant inflatibles? And what must they think when the lights suddenly go out? Do birds wish that someone would shut out the lights in their favorite pine tree so they can get some shut eye? I am sure they think that humans have some pretty bizarre practices.

Where did time go?

I spent most of Saturday cleaning up the last of leaves. Even though winter is officially three weeks away, it seems like fall decided to hang in there forever. It took until the last few days for the last of my dogwood and oak leaves to depart from their branches. I managed to collect the last of the leaves and deposit them into my compost bin while my husband started to put holiday decorations up on the house.

My husband and I hauled 7 trailer loads of compost home from the local municipality site this past May and June, and I finally used the last of it yesterday to put down on two of my perennial beds. As evening closed in, the temperatures started to plummet. My husband called it a day as I cleaned up the tarps and swept the walks before heading in. As I turned to put my the broom in the garage, I heard a familiar sound off in horizon. I waited and the sound grew louder. There up high in the clouds was a flock of geese looking for a place to bed down for the night. It was a wonderful way to say farewell to another growing season.

Tonight the wind is gusting and snow is falling. It seems like it was fall one day and winter the next. I just finished cleaning up my work area. There were canna and cala bulbs to store, the thawed hoses to wind up, tools to clean and pots to store. My husband was thrilled to see my area look organized again and ready for spring. I did not have the heart to tell him that I found two pots of hyacinth bulbs that need to be planted. I hope I can get them in before Christmas.