subject: A Landscapers Guide To Organic Gardening [print this page] Many landscapers today are choosing to turn away from harmful and restrictive gardening practices, such as toxic pesticides, in favour of more environmentally friendly practices and products that improve and nourish our environment. Becoming an organic gardener isn't easy, as our reliance on chemicals in the garden is surprisingly pervasive, especially in built up, urban cityscapes. The change to organic landscaper is necessary, however, due to the damaging effect unnatural practices are taking on our general health, our food supply and relationship with the earth. Here we have collected some of our best organic gardening tips to help you make the change and reap the all natural benefits.
Take Some Time
At its heart, organic gardening is about working with the earth to produce something together, transforming the land to suit your requirements as a landscaper. This means that the organic landscaper needs to take some time before starting each project to consider the aspects of the environment that will affect what will grow and thrive. This involves considering your garden's watering requirements and making a few compromises to get the best results.
Grow some Veggies
Although landscapers can just as easily grow flowers as vegetables with organic gardening methods, many landscapers are using the organic revolution to rediscover the aesthetic and productive delights of edible gardens. You will soon find that your organic produce tastes and smells much better than any shop bought food, making a great incentive to eat healthier.
Purge your Chemicals
The first step to becoming an organic landscaper or gardener is to get rid of all of the chemicals in your garden shed. These can include lawn care products, weed killers, insecticides and fertilisers. Even if you only use these products infrequently, the chemicals will be affecting the quality and health of your soil. The next step landscapers take to start developing their own organic replacements, particularly rich organic fertilisers which will contribute to the growth of strong and healthy disease and pest resistant plants.
Manure Mania
So where do landscapers get these super fertilisers? Other plants and animals, of course! Manure of all kinds can be used successfully on the garden, but it pays to choose a manure from a local source and to have some knowledge of what your dumping on your garden. If you are lucky enough to live close to an agricultural area or even agistment paddocks for horses, you should be able to easily find manure for free or a very low cost.
