Good Gardening Practices to Protect Your Environment

Know requirements of your plants
Know your soil and prepare it properly
Plan correctly
Know your enemies (and your friends)
Water wisely
Mulch to reduce water usage and weeks
Prune correctly
Weed
Compost garden waste
Recycle

CHOOSE THE RIGHT PLANT

Consider the amount of light, pH, soil type (wet, dry, clay, sandy) before planting.

Diversify by using more than one kind of plant suitable for the site. Encourage genetic diversity by using heirloom and saved seed.

Plants native to the gardener’s area may be more tolerant of local weather conditions, pests and diseases which can make them a better choice.

Choose plants that are appropriate to your climate and USDA Zone. Learn what is considered an invasive plant in your area and remove it from your garden.

SOIL

Test your soil with a kit or use your county extension service. The results will determine the pH and N-P-K (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium).

The pH should be close to 6.5 for most plants. Extreme pH values dramatically reduce availability of essential nutrients in the soil.

If a pH correction is necessary:

add ground dolomitic limestone to increase pH

add powdered sulfur to lower pH

N-P-K are essential plant elements and may occur naturally in the soil, but can be augmented with fertilizers.

Use organic fertilizers with slow release N

If fertilization is necessary, use organic fertilizers instead of chemical types. They feed and build the soil naturally; improve soil structure; increase soil’s water-holding capacity and encourage earthworms and soil microorganisms.

Nitrogen (N) can be found in fish meal, cottonseed meal, fish emulsion, earthworm castings, alfalfa meal, blood meal, and soybean meal. Nitrogen-fixing crops can improve soil condition and include green manures and leguminous plants.

Phosphorus (P) can be found in bone meal, kelp, fish meal, and rock phosphate (a natural source of phosphorus).

Potassium (K) is available in wood ashes, kelp and greensand .

Compost contains low levels of N-P-K and minerals which it slowly releases to your plants when spread in the garden. Using compost may eliminate the need for additional fertilizer. Other minerals needed by plants are boron, calcium, manganese, magnesium, molybdenum, sodium, and sulfur.

WATERING

Water is a resource that needs conserving. Gardeners can set the correct example by determining when to water, how to water, and how much to apply.

Collect rain runoff (rain barrels under gutter downspouts), use rain gauges, water timers and water only when necessary. Water deeply, not often.

Don’t water between 10 am and 4 pm because of high evaporation loss. The best time is early morning to prevent diseases. Soaker or drip hoses provide water without the evaporation caused by sprinklers and prevent erosion and runoff.

Water systems with moisture sensors can greatly reduce water usage.

Gray water may be available in your town and can be used in your garden.

2-4” of mulch reduces the evaporation of moisture from the soil. Pine bark mulch is preferred – it is a byproduct of the timber/paper industries. When it breaks down, it adds organic matter to the soil. Ground up leaves, such as oak, and pine straw are also good choices. Stone mulches complement Xeriscaping, the practice of using plants that need little or no water. Don’t pile mulch around plant stems or tree trunks.

IPM

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) should be practiced.

Monitor your plants for pests or diseases.

Identify and remember bugs are not always bad bugs. There are several good books in our Sources list for identification. An organic control is the first line of action, if any action is needed.

Insecticides or fungicides should not be used unless absolutely necessary. Access weekly tips at www.usna.usda.gov for further updates.

Add bird and bat houses to the property. Birds and bats eat bugs.

PEST CONTROL

Aphids, Mites
Strong jet of water to wash pests away; repeat as needed
Insecticidal soap or a wash with mild detergent solution and a water rinse
Ultrafine horticultural oil

Scale, Mealybug
Ultrafine horticultural oil
Spray with 70% isopropyl alcohol

Whitefly
Yellow sticky traps
Insecticidal soap
Ultrafine horticultural oil

Grubs
Beneficial nematodes
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)
(Bacillus popilliae is milky spore disease and is specific for the grub of the Japanese beetle)

Caterpillars, Bagworms
see Sources list for information to identify good and bad caterpillars
Handpick
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)
Neem oil—do not use if near ponds, streams or wetlands

Continued on Next page >
See on Next Page - More Pest Control Techniques, Plant Diseases, Weeding, Pruning, Composting, Recycling and Sources.