Organic land care is not simply about the type of fertilizer or pesticide used on a home landscape. It is a holistic approach to landscaping that improves the natural resources of a site by fostering cycling of resources, promoting ecological balance, and conserving biodiversity. Organic, in particular, means landscaping with no synthetic pesticides of any kind (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, etc.) and with no synthetic fertilizers or soil amendments.
Started in 1970, this designated day of April 22 has become an annual reminder of our responsibility to be good stewards of the Earth. You can contribute to a healthier Earth in multiple ways: utilize native plants in a garden, plant a tree, purchase biodegradable products and avoid pesticides of any kind, practice organic and sustainable principles at home, and commit to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Sustainable landscaping for wildlife. I’ve always been fascinated with bluebirds. The bluebird is a longtime symbol of happiness, good health and hope in North America. Native Americans displayed the bird in their art and told tales of its beauty and humility in their folklore. The Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) is a small, lively thrush with a rounded body, short beak and stumpy tail.
Paying attention to spring bulbs after flowering is just as important as when they are blooming. It is beneficial to remove the flowers on most spring bulbs as soon as they start to fade. Otherwise, your bulbs will put their energy into producing seed instead of a big crop of blooms the following year.
After the cold winter and fall months, your lawn and garden probably needs a good, thorough cleaning to ensure an appealing, healthier garden you and your plants will enjoy in the coming spring and summer. There are plenty of simple ways to improve your home garden areas and make them look better than ever.
Winter is often the best time to do pruning and thinning on almost all your trees and shrubs. Although winter and early spring is a great time to prune, if the tree or shrub is a spring flowering plant and the blooms are important to you, it may be best to wait and prune that plant shortly after it is done blooming.
When it comes to sustainable land care, St Francis of Assisi is considered by many to be the patron saint of those who promote sustainability within nature. This is an imaginary ( or maybe not) conversation between St. Francis and God…as you read this contemplate the thoughts within and see if you don’t start looking at your lawn differently!