Tony Le Caufi, a Benton County Master Gardener and long-time organic gardener, presented a program on gardening the natural way at our July 2017 monthly membership meeting.
He shared with us a great deal of his years of experience with natural gardening. Of course there is a multitude of information on this topic, and one should always research from multiple sources to make the best choices in your garden. Check out the yard and garden section of the University of Arkansas Extension web site for research-based information.
Here are some of the highlights of his presentation with some added to links to more information:
Philosophy:
The organic philosophy relates to the ability to see and understand nature’s systems and work within those systems. The chemical philosophy teaches that man and his products can control nature. But nature can’t be controlled- it’s really futile to even try.
Getting Started:
- Make good plant decisions – the right plant in the right place
- Build soil organic matter
- Build mineral content of the soil
- Stop catching grass clippings
- Stop using toxic chemicals
- Use the least toxic pest control products available
- Encourage biodiversity
- Water wisely
Healthy Soil:
Soil and dirt are two different things. Dirt is an inert planting medium that holds up plants. Soil is a wonderfully dynamic, ever-changing, complex, living system of life, energy, organic matter and minerals. Soil, like all parts of the environment, is fragile. It is also hard to repair once damaged. Unfortunately, most conventional landscape and agricultural procedures have damaged and are continuing to damage the soil. The key is to stop the damage by starting to use management techniques, soil amendments, fertilizers, and pest control products that benefit soil health.
Composting Resources:
Bed Preparation General:
(For new beds with no grass or existing beds)
- No excavation needed
- Add four to six inches of compost, organic fertilizer, volcanic rock and cornmeal and/or dry molasses
- Roto-till or fork to a total depth of eight inches
- Top dress bed with two-to-three inch layer of shredded native tree trimmings mulch after planting
Mulch Choice Preferences:
- Compost
- Shredded native tree trimmings
- Shredded cedar
- Leaves
- Nut shells
- Pine needles
- Hay straws
Pest Control:
“The answer to pest problems is not in a bag of poisonous chemicals, but in a better understanding of the laws of Nature and a desire to work with these laws.” Malcolm Beck, 1988.
You can find more information in the publications from the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service on pest control.
Disease Control:
All organic products help control disease to some degree. When soil and plants are healthy, there is a never ending microscopic war being raged between the good and bad microorganisms, and the good guys win. Disease problems are simply situations where the microorganisms have gotten out of balance. Drainage is a key ingredient for the prevention of disease. Beds that hold water and don’t drain properly are the ideal breeding place for many disease organisms. Therefore it is critical to improve drainage, increase air circulation and add quality composted products.
Tree and Shrub Planting:
- Dig an ugly hole
- Run a perk test
- Plant high
- Back-fill with existing soil
- Settle soil with water
- Do not wrap or stake
- Do not prune
- Mulch the top of root ball