May - Ban Unsustainable Gardening Practices

 The time of year is here when everyone starts grooming their yards and starting their vegetable gardens. Before you fall for the lure of home improvement shows, you should know that there are a few dirty little secrets these "perfect" gardens are hiding. The truth about these seemingly picture perfect yards, is that they are such a mine field of toxic chemicals it's a wonder anything is still alive! Not only are they bad for the health of the environment, but they are also bad for your health as well.

We'll start things off with a list of the 'best be avoided' gardening products with some safer substitutes.

Mulch 

1. Commercial mulch is best avoided because we don't know if the wood used in it is treated with chemicals, which it often is. Fungicides are also added to prevent the growth of fungus, too bad that pesticide is poisonous too! These chemicals can leach into the ground and potentially contaminate your plants. Just think of yourself touching it and breathing it in! And definitely don't put this mulch in your vegetable garden!   
2. In the case of cypress mulch, the cypress tree is being forested like there's no tomorrow and the trees aren't able to grow fast enough to satisfy our want.  

                                                                      The Safe Alternative 

1. Really the only safe alternative to commercial mulch, is to either buy a mulcher or hire a service  to come your house so you know exactly what's going into your garden, good old wood-chips! 

Roundup And Other Herbicides

1. Commercial herbicides are extremely harmful to us, and the environment. Many chemicals that make up the main part of herbicides are leftover chemical weapons from as far back as world war 2! After the wars they had no use for them or anyway to dispose of them, so what better way to get rid of these chemicals than throw them in stuff we use everyday! 
2. Applying these chemicals continually to weeds can produce herbicide resistant plants. 
3. There are known cancer causing chemicals contained in herbicides. 
4. Many of these chemicals are persistent in the environment, and can cause many animal casualties. 

The Safe Alternative 

1. The best tried and true method is to get your hands dirty and just rip those weeds out by hand!
2. You can apply vinegar or strong essential oils to eradicate weeds, it may take a few applications though. 
3. Another safe alternative is to smother them with a weed barrier whether plastic or cloth. 
4. Invest your money in a flame weeder, it works magic! 

Commercial Fertilizer 

1. Read this article to find out the dirt on commercial fertilizers.     

The Safe Alternative 

1. Compost is an amazing substitute for commercial fertilizers. Compost is inexpensive, easy to make, and a composter can easily fit in your yard. 
2. If you don't have time to make your own compost and just need to buy a fertilizer; powdered or whole seaweed, bone meal, and blood meal all make very good fertilizers. But only purchase these from companies that you can trust! 

 By practicing sustainable gardening practices, not only are we doing the Earth and environment a favor, but we are doing our health a favor as well. 

Now for the levels, assess your level and try your best to complete all the activities for your level. 

Level One- HGTV is your favorite channel and you have done everything in your power to make your yard look like those perfect ones! Here are some ideas for you: 

1. For those parents out there watch this video for why organic is better. 
2. Make your own compost! Not only will this just use all those leftovers from dinner, it will make your garden happier too. 
3. Eliminate all pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides you use and invest your money in safe alternative instead.     

Level Two- You know better than to spritz Roundup all over your lawn, but can't help drooling at those HGTV yards! Here are some ideas for you: 

1. Watch this video on organically grown plants. 
2. Read this article on Natural News Network about why organic is better. 
3. Try not to buy mulch this year, and see if you can do that yourself. 
4. Don't use any chemical sprays on your plants. 

Level Three- You know all this and have a flourishing organic garden! Here are some ideas for you: 

1. Spread the word about organic, tell at least three random people in the supermarket why organic is better. 
2. Share your knowledge, and comment below. 

Resources 

• http://www.ecomythsalliance.org/2010/03/mulching-your-garden-is-good-for-the-environment/ 
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glyphosate 
• http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/31/organic-herbicides-weeds_n_914313.html