Sunday, June 21, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
how to fertilize
As you all know, I am a natural girl. I utilize rain barrels for my watering needs, compost, recycle and try to make the most environmentally aware decisions in everything I do. So, I am always shocked when people ask me what type of synthetic fertilizers to use in gardening. Maybe it's because my backyard is a certified natural habitat, that I live near a stream, or that I have two storm drains in front of my house, that the thought of using lawn fertilizer or 10-10-10 makes me shutter.
I understand that companies make a lot of money on providing herbicides and insecticides with fertilizers as a sort of cure-all for making turf grow and somewhat thrive against its natural tendencies. Grass is a great ground cover when you meet all of its requirements. Often, however where we desire a lush, healthy lawn happens to be in a shady spot with poor soil. Where grass won't thrive, weeds certainly will.
Instead of reaching for a traditional lawn fertilizer at your local garden center-try compost. You can apply anytime of year, can't misapply, and don't have to fear runoff contaminating local water supplies. Compost also makes a great mulch and is 1/10th to cost of traditional lawn fertilizer. You need to be patient as using compost as a fertilizer doesn't yield immediate results, rather it works over time to enrich lawns and other plant material.
If you desire a healthy lawn and want to enrich the ecosystem around your yard as well as save some money, reach for compost instead of fertilizer.
I understand that companies make a lot of money on providing herbicides and insecticides with fertilizers as a sort of cure-all for making turf grow and somewhat thrive against its natural tendencies. Grass is a great ground cover when you meet all of its requirements. Often, however where we desire a lush, healthy lawn happens to be in a shady spot with poor soil. Where grass won't thrive, weeds certainly will.
Instead of reaching for a traditional lawn fertilizer at your local garden center-try compost. You can apply anytime of year, can't misapply, and don't have to fear runoff contaminating local water supplies. Compost also makes a great mulch and is 1/10th to cost of traditional lawn fertilizer. You need to be patient as using compost as a fertilizer doesn't yield immediate results, rather it works over time to enrich lawns and other plant material.
If you desire a healthy lawn and want to enrich the ecosystem around your yard as well as save some money, reach for compost instead of fertilizer.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
hummingbirds and butterflies-oh my
Generally speaking if you create a habitat for hummingbirds you will attract butterflies and moths as well. What could be more rewarding than beautiful flowers that serve to feed awe inspiring animals? As a rule, any bell-shaped flower serves to attract. The color red is also a powerful attractant-it is difficult to find a hummingbird feeder that does not have red somewhere on it. Full or part sun, annual or perennial, it doesn't matter as long as it produces nectar. The following is a list of proven winners:
aster
azalea
bee balm
begonia
bleeding heart
blanketflower
butterfly bush (buddelia)
canna
columbine
coral bells (heuchera)
cosmos
delphinium
flowering tobacco (nicotana)
foxglove
fuchsia
geranium
hollyhock
lantana
lilac
lobelia
mallow
nasturtiums
pentas
phlox
purple coneflower (echinacea)
rose of sharon
scabosia
sage (salvia)
sedum
verbena
zinnia
In addition to these nectar producing plants, some purists will also plant "host" plants which adult butterflies seek to lay their eggs. Any google search will yield more information about desirable habitats than you could want for.
Adding a hummingbird feeder to your garden ensures a flurry of activity. Whether in a pot or in the ground, keep these plants in mind as you plant this summer and welcome these amazing creatures to your yard.
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