Sunday, October 19, 2008

Gardens should be all shades of green

Sunday, June 29, 2008 By CINDY DECKER

After all the rain we've had, your lawn and garden are probably lush and green. But are they also green? As in, are they kind to the environment? Green is the buzzword of 2008. Household cleaners are green. Hotels are green. Paints are green. Shouldn't our flower beds also be green, in all senses of the word? Here are some practices to consider to take your garden from ecru to emerald. As a side benefit, many of these practices will also save money.

• Pick plants wisely.
Whether you opt for native plants or not, be sure to choose the right plant for the right place. If you have alkaline, clay soil in full sun, don't try to force that azalea to settle in. It won't be happy. If you try to fight nature, you will spend a lot of time babying the misplaced specimen with extra water, fertilizer or soil additives. You probably will be fighting bugs and diseases, too, because the plant is likely to be weaker than if it were in the proper setting. Native plants are a smart choice because they have evolved to live in our region, meaning they will be perfectly happy if we leave them alone. The coneflower and the black-eyed Susan are genetically wired to handle hot, blazing sun and dry, caked soil. They will survive Ohio's desertlike days with barely a complaint. When shopping, pay close attention to nursery labels to make informed choices.

• Use chemicals sparingly if at all.
This is a corollary to Rule No. 1. If you plant with care and thought, you can reduce the need for chemical applications later to control bugs or treat a disease. Options abound, too, to achieve the same results without chemicals. Many excellent organic fertilizers exist. Whatever products you use, follow label directions.

• Invite animals into the garden.
By making a haven for birds, bees and other creatures, you help create a balance. Birds eat bugs, helping keep pests in check. Bees pollinate vegetable gardens. You also will receive a lot of enjoyment from watching them.

• Be smart about watering.
Cut back on water use by watering in the morning. Watering in the heat of the day allows more to evaporate. Also, let the water trickle out slowly from the hose at the base of plants rather than run over the leaves. Not only will this deliver water more directly to the roots and allow it to soak in slowly, it cuts down on the spread of diseases.

Use a rain barrel.
The benefits of rain barrels are twofold: They reduce water runoff that can carry pollutants to tributaries, and they also reduce the need for water that has been cleaned, processed and pumped back to us. Generally holding about 55 gallons, a rain barrel is not going to dramatically reduce the amount of city water you use if there is a drought. The water in a barrel runs out surprisingly fast. But they also fill up fast, so even one rainfall a week can cut your city or well water usage by 55 gallons. Multiply that by the number of weeks in a growing season, and you have some real savings.

• Apply several inches of mulch to bare earth to preserve moisture in the soil.
Say "mulch" and people immediately think of the ubiquitous bark mulches. But mulch technically means anything that covers the ground to prevent evaporation and suppress weeds. It can be shredded leaves, grass clippings, newspaper, even rock and shredded rubber.

• Mow high. Leave grass clippings on the lawn.
Setting the mowing height at 2 1/2 to 3 inches will encourage a dense, healthy grass with deep roots. The higher grass will outcompete weeds, the experts say. Cutting gasoline usage and eliminating emissions, some people have turned to reel mowers, saying they offer a great cut as well as an extra bit of exercise. Allowing the grass clippings to decompose on the lawn returns nutrients to the soil as well. It also prevents extra yard waste at the curb.

Set up a compost bin.
Divert yard waste and kitchen scraps from the landfill; instead, allow them to turn into a dark earthy mix that can return nutrients to the soil. Even committing to just a few of these practices will make your garden a more healthy place.

Cindy Decker, Dispatch Home & Garden editor, writes about native gardening and living with wildlife. Reach her at 614-461-5027 or by e-mail.

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