We all share the same air, soil and water on this earth, so doesn't it make sense to use the most earth-friendly options available to us when working with our plants? By earth-friendly, we mean products that have the least negative impact on the world around us, both now (when we use the products) and in the future. The concept of earth-friendly solutions includes organic gardening but goes further to look at some of the gardening products that do not meet the definition of organic, but are considered "safer" than many organic products. While the exact definition of ‘organic’ changes as we learn more and more about the inter-connectedness of everything in our environment, the essence of the word stays the same: Organic gardening uses products and techniques that are natural. To be involved in gardening with earth-friendly solutions, the gardener must be open to constantly learning more. New research and product development is always challenging the earth-friendly gardener to stay informed. A product that was once thought to be safe to use may now be questionable, or worse, dangerous. What may be a relatively safe chemical used by itself (and, yes, not all chemicals are bad) might be extremely hazardous if used in combination with another chemical or if used on the wrong plant or at the wrong time of year. Another challenge for many earth-friendly gardeners is accepting limitations since choosing these methods may mean having to accept a few weeds in the lawn and a few blemishes on the fruits, and being realistic about the fact that there are organic chemicals that are at least as toxic as some of the non-organic chemicals. Reaching the goal of gardening in the most earth friendly way is definitely challenging. Here is an overview of many of the earth-friendly products that are on the market. These are common products and there are thousands more. As you can see, this is a huge subject that has generated lots of information. For further information, check Bachman's selection of books, your local library or on the web.
Fertilizers/Soil Amendments Bone/Blood Meal Blood meal is a good source of nitrogen. The combination bone/blood meal fertilizers are good. Unless you have a source of plain bone meal that has not been steamed, it is not a good fertilizer for our area. Steamed bone meal offers little more than calcium and local soils are naturally very high in calcium. Fish Emulsion and Seaweed/Kelp Extracts Good water-soluble source of nitrogen.
Ringer's Restore and Ringer's Supreme Natural fertilizer for lawns and gardens.
Sustane Excellent local source from composted turkey litter for lawns and gardens.
Renaissance fertilizer 6-0-6 organic based lawn and garden fertilizer. Gro-well fertilizer 15-0-4 organic based lawn and garden fertilizer.
Manure, Earthworm Castings & Compost Nutritional value and quality varies greatly on packaged products, but all composted products improve the soil structure as well as offering some nutrition.
Miscellaneous Gypsum, Lime, Iron Sulfate, Green Sand, Rock Phosphate, Sulfur, Cottonseed Meal.
Insecticides Insecticidal Soap Very effective against soft-bodied insects.
Horticultural Oil Works well on many insects including hard problems such as scale and spider mites. Bacillus thuringensis (Bt) Several strains available that target chewing insects, fungus gnats, mosquitoes and Colorado potato beetles. Pyrethrin Broad spectrum contact insecticide derived from plants. Various forms (natural and synthetic) and sold in combination with other insecticides because it makes both work better. Neem Works as a repellent, a contact and residual insecticide and interrupts the life cycle of the insects. Sold as Bio-Neem by Safers and as the active ingredients in products such as Rose Defense by Green Light. Pharm products for fungus, insects and animal repellant. Miscellaneous Nicotine, Rotenone, Sabadilla, Boric Acid, Milky Spore
Fungicides Horticultural Oil and Neem Both of these products are fungicides as well as insecticides. Sulfur and Lime Sulfur Sulfur is a broad-spectrum fungicide. Available in combination with lime to make it more effective but warnings on the label of the lime sulfur products are frightening. Both products can be harmful to soil micro-organisms and beneficial insects as well.
Copper/Bordeaux Mix A very strong fungicide used very selectively as a last resort. Harmful to plants if not used very carefully. Can actually act as an herbicide. Harmful to soil micro-organisms, beneficial insects, all mammals.
Baking Soda Research is ongoing as to the best way to use baking soda but it appears to be a fairly effective broad-spectrum fungicide, especially when applied with an oil as a sticking agent.
Herbicides Safer's Herbicides (check the labels closely- Safer’s has changed ownership and not all Safer’s products are still earth-friendly) Post-emergent; high concentration of fatty acids, kills non-woody top growth. Quick acting but often requires additional treatment.
Corn Gluten Pre-emergent; more effective after repeated applications.
Round Up/Finale Non-selective, post emergent; effective but new research indicates it should be used with care; not as innocuous as once thought.
White Vinegar can be used as a non-selective herbicide.
Repellents and Barriers Scare Tapes, Owls, Snake and Balloons Work strictly by scaring the pests. Hot Pepper Wax Extract from hot peppers keeps most pests from chewing/sucking. Citrus Oil Derived from oranges, citrus oil is an effective repellent for ants and some other insects. Garlic Barrier Garlic scent is supposed to be light enough not to be noticed by people once it dries but continues to repel insects (including pollinators) without adding flavor to the plant. Deer Away, Tree Guard, Hinder, etc. These repel by taste and by smell. Some are in a sticking agent to keep them from washing off the plants. Diatomaceous Earth Most effective as barrier against slug damage; consists of fossilized diatoms. Copper Strips Galvanic reaction creates a barrier slugs won't cross. Animal Urines Specific predator animal urines can be used to repel rabbits, deer, etc.
usually no information about their source and collection. Bird Scare Tape Reflective tapes
Traps Tanglefoot and Sticky Yellow Cards Sticky substance that traps insects, spread on a lure or used as a barrier. Slug Traps Various configurations of shallow containers to trap and drown slugs. Pheromone Traps Traps baited with pheromone, a species specific sexual attractant. Wasp Trap Baited with something sweet and with meat, attracts and traps wasps. Apple Maggot Traps Round, red apple-like sphere coated with Tanglefoot, some baited with pheromones.
Beneficial Insect Lady Bugs Dormant adults sold for release to help with aphid control. Praying Mantis Egg cases sold for incubation at home; Praying mantis will target beneficial insects too.
Beneficial Nematodes Specific strains of nematodes that infest grubs in the soil.
Flowers and gifts from Bachman’s make any day a special one. When you order your flowers or gifts online, you know you’ll be getting a beautiful fresh flower arrangement from a trusted florist known for outstanding flower design, plus quality and service.
If you’re sending flowers or gifts out of town, you can rely on us to choose the best florist from either the FTD or Teleflora nationwide flower network. Florists who can be counted on to deliver the best fresh flower arrangements and gifts, even when doing a same day delivery.
