Chemical Free Gardens

Cathi Stevenson

Some proven ideas for chemical-free gardening and soil preparation.
Forty years ago my grandmother had a city garden that didn’t just bloom with color, it blasted. Every square inch of the yard was cultivated -- overgrown with dozens of varieties of flowers and vegetables. Perhaps most amazing was the fact that she rarely, if ever, set foot in a retail plant nursery. Gardening chemicals were as foreign to her as cable television was in the 60s. She bought her seeds at the local hardware store, or she took cuttings from other gardens. In spite of never consulting the “experts” or using scientifically proven products, she often had such an over abundance of crop she would sell her vegetables to the local grocery store. Throughout the summer, freshly cut flowers filled every vase, can and jar in her house.

Today’s gardener is much more likely to use science and technology. More than 31 per cent of households regularly use chemical pesticides indoors and out. About half use chemical fertilizers. Some of these products have been linked to groundwater contamination, destruction of wildlife and a variety of diseases in humans, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Children, who live in homes where pesticides are used are up to nine times more likely to develop childhood leukemia.

The simple fact is, these chemicals are not necessary and maintaining a chemical-free garden full of colorful flowers, does not mean spending every weekend digging up dandelions.

To accomplish this, gardeners need to begin with the basics: good soil and good plants. Check with the local agriculture department to arrange inexpensive testing to determine what nutrients might be necessary to optimize plant growth.

Maintaining nutrient rich soil is essential. The best way to do this is by mimicking nature. Add compost whenever possible. Bark mulch, shredded leaves, straw, dry grass clippings, and wood chips will not only decompose into rich, fertile soil, but will also prevent weeds from flourishing.

The second step to gardening in harmony with nature is to choose plants that will thrive in the environment. A local plant nursery is a good source of information, as are libraries, bookstores, the Internet, and perhaps most valuable of all: that neighbor with the green thumb.

Once planted, a well-planned garden requires little work. Weeding is probably the most time-consuming aspect of gardening. Aside from using mulch to block sunlight from weeds, there are several types of ground covers that can be used to achieve the same effect. A plant nursery or even some department stores will offer a variety of fabric ground covers. Some avid gardeners suggest using army blankets, which also decompose over time.

Corn gluten meal acts as a natural weed suppressant, but this must be used early in the season, when weeds first start to germinate. A word of caution though, corn gluten inhibits growth of all seeds, even the ones you’ve planted.

When weeds appear the safest and surest way to get rid of them is to dig them up, root and all. There are a variety of fork-like instruments designed for this purpose. Fill in any bare spots before weeds have a chance to reclaim the turf.

The key to a weed-free garden is persistence. Once you have a “handle” on the problem, fewer and fewer weeds sprout up, and soon only a minimal amount of maintenance will be required.

Follow these simple steps and you'll soon find your garden is not only environmentally-friendly, but it's less expensive to keep blooming.

About the Author

Cathi Stevenson is a former editor and journalist who has sold more than 2000 articles world-wide. Her eBook "How To Publish & Market Your eBook For Just $5" made the publisher's best sellers' list within months of its release. Learn how she did it with tips from the Author's Cafe Newsletter. Sign up at: http://www.authorscafe.com. Cathi also owns the highly successful book cover design company: Book Cover Express. http://www.bookcoverexpress.com