Each year, nearly 100 million pounds of chemical pesticides and fertilizers are used in American lawns and gardens, much of which washes into streams, lakes and local water supplies. These chemicals may provide quick, short-term benefits, but research has shown that they stress plants and kill beneficial insects and soil microbes. Without those soil organisms that make nutrients more available, your garden will become dependent on chemicals. Today there are many effective alternatives to chemical pesticides and herbicides that give good results with much less environmental damage. Try just one new earth-friendly solution this year, and see how it compares.
Water is our Earth's most abundant yet most precious resource.
During those times when water is scarce, it is easy to argue for water conservation. But even when there is no drought, careful watering is smart gardening. That's because inefficient watering is one of the most common causes of tired-looking gardens. Many people water only the soil surface so that roots don't extend deeply enough, causing the plant to become stressed. So water less frequently, but more deeply.