When properly implemented, the sustainable system provides its own checks and balances as to how well it is functioning. The ultimate measure of success for the sustainable garden program is the appearance of the garden itself. Three years into the transition, after having adopted a whole range of sustainable practices, the garden has never looked better. Areas with, past, serious disease problems are certainly not any worse under the biological care that has replaced our former use of fungicides- they may even look better. Insect problems have not become more damaging following the transition from chemical control to biological management.
Plants are noticeably less affected and the presence of beneficial arthropods such as spiders, etc.
While present organic fertilizer inputs remain high, they should decrease in time as soil organic matter increases and ongoing farmscape projects add to species diversity. Moreover, the public relations advantage in transitioning to sustainable management practices has surpassed all expectations. If the proof of sustainability lies in the future, it may be premature to declare total success. All short term indicators, however, look promising. From the use of soil organic material and beneficial fungi to enhance soil microbiology for disease management to planting California native plants to attract beneficial insects , managing ecological relationships is essential for sustainable garden management.