BIG NEWS!!!!! AN ORGANIC GARDENING CLUB HAS BEEN FORMED.
You are cordially invited to the 1st meeting of The Organic Gardening Club of Garland and the Lakeside Communities.
When: Sunday, March 2, 2003 at 2:00 pm
Where: Rohde's Nursery meeting room. 1651 Wall Street, Garland
Call 214-647-1424 for details.
Now. On to the Newsletter! Learn how to grow your own salad fixin’s organically. Learn about roses, fruit trees, berries, and other things. But first, a serious vote for organics from the NY Times.
Organic Methods Are Urged for Lawns and Farms
NYTimes: Organics
by Carole Paquette
Spurred in part by the agency that supplies water to most of Suffolk County, a campaign is under way asking residents to rethink the way they keep their lawns green.
Several nonprofit bodies are promoting the use of organic methods — those that recreate the natural process — to maintain lawns and gardens, a process those involved with water quality say would keep excessive amounts of chemicals, like nitrates, found in synthetic fertilizers and pesticides out of the groundwater.
According to the federal Environmental Protection Agency, if the concentration of nitrates found in drinking water exceeds E.P.A. health standards, health problems may result. There are some drinking water sources in East Northport and the North Fork area that, before treatment, exceed these standards as a result of farming that was done there many years ago.
While the use of organic products — like compost to fertilize and garlic oil to ward off mosquitoes — is voluntary, some municipalities are incorporating such materials into their landscaping programs, and new federal standards are strengthening their credibility.
At the Suffolk County Water Authority, a nonprofit independent organization that provides water to 80 percent of Suffolk's residents and businesses, more than $2.5 million a year is spent in removing nitrates from its 450 wells, according to Stephen M. Jones, the chief executive. Because of filtration, nitrate levels on Long Island are currently comfortably within E.P.A. and state limits, but costs could rise if more filtration were needed, according to the water authority. Due to a sharp increase in water use during the summer, the agency has begun a campaign to educate its 360,000 customers on how to change their watering habits and still keep their lawns green and urging them toward organic maintenance. Mr. Jones said. "This has been since the advent of the automated sprinkler, and people tend to water their lawns indiscriminately."
Last year, the agency began a $450,000 three-year program to compare the effects of lawn care with chemical fertilizers and pesticides with the use of organic products. Its partners in the project are three nonprofit groups: the Long Island Organic Horticultural Association and the Long Island Neighborhood Network, both based in Massapequa; and the Long Island Groundwater Research Institute, based at the State University at Stony Brook.
In addition, the water authority has a $100,000 advertising campaign to "get people to think differently," Mr. Jones said. Notices will be placed with water bills, asking customers to water their lawns every other day for longer periods of time, rather than every day for short periods. "This method will send grass roots deeper and able to survive a dry spell without turning brown and will require less fertilizer," he said. "Shallow roots are unable to completely pick up the fertilizer's nitrates, which then go into the groundwater."
The agency will also use only organic products at its eight customer service facilities and Oakdale headquarters. The use of organic products and maintenance practices, while increasing, has been slow, mainly because initially it is more costly and "labor-intensive, since weeding is best done by hand," said Steve Restmeyer, president of the Horticultural Association and owner of Eco-Logical Organic Landscaping. Nevertheless, he added, while it can take up to three years for soil to return to its natural state, the cost and labor decrease as the lawn becomes drought-resistant and the need for continuous fertilizing is reduced. "Once an organic system is established, the property becomes self-sustaining," said Beth Fiteni, program coordinator for the Long Island Neighborhood Network. While some landscapers have begun using organic products, there is still a long way to go.
There is evidence of heightened public sensitivity to the danger of chemical lawn products. Over the past five years, nursery owners say, there has been a noticeable increase in the purchase of organic products. At the 150-year-old Hicks Nursery in Westbury, 33 percent of the lawn and garden fertilizer sold is organic, according to Al Littmann, a manager. "People are becoming more aware, and very concerned with the environment and what they eat, especially vegetables," he said. "There are more organic products on the market today, and as people learn it's just as good and it doesn't hurt you, so why not use it?"
As the sale of organic products has increased, the price of the products "has come down substantially," he said. "Five years ago, 100 percent organic tree and lawn food was three times the price of chemical lawn food, now it's only slightly more," he said.
Suffolk County was prompted to put an organic maintenance program into effect at county-owned facilities in the 1990's. The towns of Babylon and Huntington have both instituted organic programs at their facilities.
The property surrounding Babylon's town hall, its ball fields and golf courses are maintained organically and the town is phasing in the program at its other facilities, according to Debbie Pfeiffer, a spokeswoman.
In Huntington, as a requisite toward zoning approval for the Greens at Half Hollow in Dix Hills — a development of 1,200 condominiums and 18-hole golf course on 400 acres — the developer, SBJ Associates, was asked "to hire a consultant to gear the course toward organic uses, and from what we know they are following that action," said Mark Cuthbertson, a town councilman.
The town has also hired a consultant to plan organic maintenance at Crab Meadow Golf Course in Northport. "Our ultimate goal there is to have it all organic," he said, adding that Huntington has allocated $3,000 for a brochure showing property owners "how to move toward organics."
At Planting Fields Arboretum, a 409-acre state historic park in Oyster Bay, the 200 cultivated acres of flower beds are fertilized primarily with leaf compost and organic products, according to Vincent Simeone, the assistant director. "Chemical products are used on a limited basis," he said. "Over the past eight years we have been going more to the natural. All we are doing is mimicking nature." Last year a new set of federal regulations spurred farmers toward organic methods. In October, the United States Department of Agriculture set strict standards for farmers with gross sales over $5,000 a year who wanted to label their food products with the official "U.S.D.A. Organic" seal, certifying that their crops were 95 to 100 percent produced by organic methods. Among other criteria, they must prove their land has been free of chemical fertilizers and pesticides for three years. According to Rex Farr, a member of the Long Island chapter of the Northeast Organic Farmers Association, a nonprofit group that has been accredited by the Agriculture Department to inspect and certify farms, the benefit is not to the farmer, but to the consumer. "The grower doesn't get the certification for himself, but when the consumer sees the word `organic,' they are more apt to buy those products because they know rules have been applied," said Mr. Farr, who owns a 60-acre fruit and vegetable farm in Baiting Hollow.
Green Thumb of Water Mill, a 100-acre vegetable and flower farm owned by the Halsey family, who have farmed the land continuously since 1700, "returned to organic in 1976" and is certified, said Bill Halsey. "It is more time-consuming and time is money, but we feel it is a better way to farm concerning the health of both the farm and the farmer," he said.
Not all farmers are able or willing to make a commitment to "total organic farming," according to Dale Moyer, a specialist at the Riverhead-based Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, an education and research organization affiliated with Cornell University. However, he added, "Most of those with farms over 100 acres are looking toward some type of organic practice such as crop rotation and incorporating compost."
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Things to Do in March:
Lawn Care: Contrary to Iowa State’s recommendations, I think Corn Gluten Meal (CGM) should be applied several times a year to help prevent weed germination. I also think that CGM should be applied with other organic amendments such as Humate or in conjunction with an all purpose organic fertilizer such as GreenSense. In 1992 we used CGM as our nitrogen source in the blending of GreenSense Fertilizers. We saw a decrease in weed population in every home that we maintained on a regular basis. The problem was that other customers who used our fertilizers also noted that when they applied seeds such as fescue, clovers, Bermuda and rye grass the seeds had very little germination. We also noticed that when we removed CGM as a major ingredient in GreenSense, weeds did not reappear in some of the previously heavily infested lawns we continued to maintain. The sod was thick enough to ward off weed populations.
So what does one do with a lawn that needs to be reseeded periodically?
Well, the first thing is to figure out why the grass dies back in these areas.
Bermuda likes sun and will only tolerate short periods of shade. It requires well-drained soil and if exposed to excess moisture for long periods may die back or be subject to fungal problems that will eventually weaken it. Now that we will be in our rainy season, venture out to suspected areas after a rain and see how long it takes for water to drain away. Determine if you have adequate slope for water runoff or if your soil is so compacted that it does not allow the water to percolate.
Fescue require more shade then sun and many times is applied in areas that are to hot and dry for it because the bag says heat and drought tolerant, but does not give a zone hardiness. Can fescue really do well in a Dallas (Zone 8) summer drought?
Those who like to have green lawns (and mowing) in the winter by sowing rye grass or clover seed need to apply the last application of CGM three months prior to applying winter cover crops.
Use an organic fertilizer such as GreenSense All Purpose Fertilizer. The naturally slow releasing ingredients will work on the soil making it rich and fertile in time for spring blooms and summer growth. Using soil amendments such as lava sand, rock phosphate and Humate will just make things better.
If possible, apply soil activators like GreenSense Microbial Treatment. Unlike some of the other brands, GreenSense Microbial Treatment contains 7 species of live organisms that start working in your soils immediately. The microbes will help in loosening the soils and improve aeration and percolation. Remember that microbes love to digest carbon materials, so always apply them after fertilizing the area.
Check out Rohde’s Chemical Free Fertilizing Program. Follow our program as much as possible to improve your organic garden.
Pruning: Now is the time to prune shrubs that flower in the summer and evergreen shrubs that may have gotten too tall or out of shape. Hollies, photinias, privet, and nandina can be pruned now. BUT, spring flowering shrubs such as hawthorns, lilacs, azaleas, spireas, forsythia, and flowering quince should be pruned after they flower. Try not to deform the plants. If possible thin out the center of the plant rather than the outside, giving the plant a vase shape. Fertilize plants after they have bloomed. You can use GreenSense Vegetable & Flower Food to help plants produce beautiful flowers and berries.
Roses: Most of you know that Rohde’s carries a large selection of Antique Roses from the Antique Rose Emporium. The reason that we carry mostly antique roses is for their proven low maintenance. Some antiques actually do better with a minimum of care and pruning. If you ever get a chance to go to an old cemetery or an old abandoned house out in the country do not be surprised if the only living plant or the most beautiful is an antique rose bush.
I found out a long time ago that when a plant is cut back it responds by sending sap to the area to “heal” itself. This sap causes new growth and if pruned too early, a March freeze can “burn” this new growth. If pruned in the middle of the summer when it is very hot then the extreme heat can also burn the new growth.
One of the first roses to bloom in the spring is the “Lady Banks”. These roses and other climbers should be pruned after they bloom. Climbers bloom on old growth, so after they bloom remove all dead and diseased canes.
At my house I have two “Martha Gonzales” roses that started to bloom early in the spring of last year and kept blooming into December. I only lightly trimmed my roses to create new growth for them to bloom on.
When I trim my roses, I make sure that the blades are sharp. Luckily, I have several employees that know how to sharpen a pruning blade without damaging it. There are several hardware stores that offer this service such as C&S Hardware in Richardson. If you are going to prune heavily, first remove all the dead or diseased canes. If there is an excess of canes, thin out some from the middle. Prune about a quarter inch above a bud at a 45-degree angle.
During the pruning process, periodically disinfect the pruners with weak bleach in water solution so you won’t transmit a disease like fire blight. Before going from one rose bush to another always disinfect the pruners. Remember that roses are in the same family as hawthorn, pyracantha, cotoneaster, cherry laurel and photinias, and all of these plants are highly susceptible to fire blight. Always disinfect the pruners before going from one of these plants to another.
Do not forget that roses are heavy feeders and love food on a monthly basis. Yes, GreenSense Rose Food available in 5 and 40 pound bags.
Vegetables (repeat from March 2000): I am surprised how many people are asking about vegetable gardens and the best way to prepare them. Now is a good time to start your seeds indoors and have them ready to transplant as soon as the soil warms up. Check the seed package for proper planting times.
For transplants the time to plant is:
- When soil temperatures have reached 45-50 degrees plant: Spinach, lettuce.
- When soil temperatures have reached 55-60 degrees plant: Chard, collards, and turnips.
- When soil temperatures have reached 65 degrees plant: Beans.
- March is a good time to plant fruit trees and berries too.
Starting Seeds: time to start vegetables from seed like tomatoes, cucumbers, leeks, lettuce and peppers. Herbs can be started now. Basil, chives, catnip, mints or many of your favorite herbs can be started in the house now. Perennials will give you years of color and beauty and can be started from seeds you collected last year. Start seeds using a rich organic soil and mix soft rock phosphate into the soil.
Many of our customers tell us they use earthworm castings as their seed medium, adding just five ounces of Soft Rock Phosphate to a 15 pound bag of castings. Soft Rock Phosphate (Colloidal Clay) will help seeds root better and then encourage stronger stems, better flower and fruit production. You can sift this material if you wish, even though many customers do not.
Start your seeds in egg cartons, plant pots, or the old flats from the flowers you purchased last year. Find a sunny window or a protected patio that is bright, warm and protected from cold winds. Be prepared to move the seeds indoors if temperatures are going to drop. This will give you a fun project to do with the kids and give you a head start on this year’s crop. Transplant these into the soil when roots are well developed and soil temperature is warm.
Landscaping: transplant or divide any perennials that may have become too large or overcrowded for your landscape. Join a garden club and trade plants with other members. Find out what schools are doing landscapes and donate the plants to them. Only as a last resort, compost your excess plants.
Make sure you get a big enough root ball and that the hole you are moving the plant to is already dug and ready for the new plant. Finish your transplanting before the plant starts to put out new growth. Your survival rate will be higher the sooner you get this done.
After you have finished transplanting look for areas to use more creativity, more color or plants that will bear fruit or berries for the birds. Awhile back I mentioned that I do not feed the birds with purchased food. All my bird feeding is done with my plants’ fruit.
Planting: Spring is the second best time to plant. Fall is the best. Start early in the spring so roots will have plenty of time to establish and more able to withstand heat and drought situations. Consider using our new soil amendment- GreenSense Mycorrhizal Fungi. Mycorrhizal Fungi are unique root inhabiting fungi that colonize a plants fine absorbing roots to obtain essential organic nutrients. For more information on Mycor click here.
Flowers: consider using perennials or flowers that will reseed themselves in the next season. Even though we make money when we sell you a flat of annual flowers, we would much prefer to sell you a plant that will give you years of enjoyment. Know the height and space required for each perennial that you buy. Find out the different bloom periods and plant your bed so that you can enjoy the different seasons with these long-lived plants.
Resolutions
How many of you have made New Years resolutions? I did.
How many of you have kept your New Years resolutions? I did……..NOT! My New Year’s resolution was to get my once beautiful body back into shape again. I had decided to quit drinking Dr. Pepper’s after 9:00 am, this would limit my caffeine and phosphoric acid intake considerably and drink more green tea. I decided to exclude fast food restaurants, unless I was to eat a prepared salad or yogurt. I was going to eat more fruit and greens, more fish, less red meat and fewer Dove Bars.
I was going to make my body my temple? Hmm, I wonder if that should have been an exclamation mark?
Before I go to bed, I like to gather the clothes for the next day and place them in the bathroom so as not to wake my wife Sandra up by turning the light on early in the morning. One day, waking up earlier then usual I decided that I was going to work out before coming into the nursery; I gathered my clothes and got dressed in the dark.
I really do not embarrass too easily, but as I walked into the gym I noticed that the few people at the door were looking at me and smiling, almost laughing.
You know how you always look behind you in hope they are actually looking beyond you, like at the person coming in behind you?
Well, they were not.
There was nobody behind me. I looked down to make sure my zipper was all the way up, and as I looked down to my zipper I noticed that I was not wearing white socks. They were pink, just like my t-shirt!
I turned around and walked out the door, back to my car and of course back home. I hurried to our room and turned the light on, not really caring if I woke Sandra up. I went to my drawer, noticed not only my socks and t-shirts were pink, so was my underwear.
“What happened? I asked my now semi-awake wife.
“I washed my new sweatshirt with your laundry”, she responded groggily.
Eighteen years of marriage and nothing like this has ever happened. Sandra does the laundry for Assisi, Victor and both of us and has never has a problem like this before. How could she do this and why did it have to happen to me?
Apparently, she felt comfortable with her laundry skills and felt it was not necessary to read the directions. This is something I thought usually occurred to the male gender of humankind. But, as we all know God is male and every once in a while he needs to remind women that they too, are not perfect. Or it is something he does to give men leverage for their next screw up. “Sandra, you can not get mad at me for this. Remember the laundry incident, remember how you damaged hundreds of dollars worth of my clothes?”, will be the first phrase out of my mouth if I ever fail to do something, or do it incorrectly, but, so much time will pass (because I am so infallible!) before I have a chance to use this phrase that I will forget about it.
SO…..While we are on the subject of reading instructions and following directions, I must point out the number of calls that we get on a weekly basis from customers who call claiming they purchased a product from Rohde’s and want to know how to apply them.
Of course, the first thing that we ask is, “Have you read the directions?”
Many will say no they have not. Others will say that the label is unreadable.
The ones that I really like are those that saying they purchased a product from us. “What product is this?” we will ask. Malathion or something similar could be the answer.
We always ask the customer to read the label so that they can follow the directions as carefully as possible. If the customer has a fax we will email them a label if it is a GreenSense product. If it is not a product we manufacture, we recommend calling the manufacturer of that specific product or going to their website and looking for that specific bottle label.
If it is a chemical product such as Malathion we proudly let the customer know that we do not sell toxic chemicals, so he could not have purchased it here. We will also try to ask the customer if he called the store up where he actually purchased it and did not like their not so competent response or if their response made him unsure of the products intended use. We may also ask: “Is the reason that you can not read the label because some of the product has spilled on the label damaging it to the point where it can not be read, do you think that as you are holding the bottle you may be contaminating your self by absorption of the product through the skin?”
Once we know that the customer has accessibility to the label we can only hope that they read it. Unfortunately so many people remember using a product before and think that they can remember the correct dosage and do not bother reading the instructions again even if it had been used a year ago. Also, products that have shelf lives, but customers do not look for these and in some cases, do not understand what that means.
The products that I see people have more confusion with are products that contain live organisms. For example: Nolo Bait. This product contains bacteria that have a shelf life of three months. I have seen containers of this product being sold at competitors even though it had an expiration date that was over a year old; to make matters worse, this product had been sitting on a shelf with a western exposure opposite a large window. In the short amount of time that I was standing there, I started to sweat profusely. The heat probably killed many, if not all of this live product.
Treated wood products that you purchase at box stores and you use for construction of sand boxes or raised vegetable gardens are things that some people may consider safe just because they can not imagine stores selling a product that would be detrimental to the health of a person with out adding some disclaimer or warning to the treated products. The Dallas Morning News printed an article on Saturday February 8th titled: “Treated wood in kids’ play sets may increase risk of cancer.” The article states that: “almost all woods used in playground equipment have been treated with chromated copper arsenate or CCA”. Many of our yard maintenance customers have sand boxes and retaining walls built with these materials and even though I have tried to point this out to some of them, they continue to let their kids play in them.
Every one that I spoke to was unfamiliar with CCA and many have asked us to remove the treated wood from their property.
Most of us know that wood and other natural products break down when exposed to air, moisture and soil, why do we not ask why a wood product has a 20-year warranty?
What chemical additive was pumped into that wood to increase its durability? What will those products do to my family, my pets and my environment?
Most people I talk to are unaware of Hazardous Waste Collection sites in Dallas.
In Dallas you can take the treated wood and other hazardous material to 11234 Plano Rd; their phone number is 241-630-9160.
Most major cities in Texas and around the U.S. have collection centers. Find out where they are and what documents you need to be able to use these free facilities.
Dispose of contaminated waste properly. Do not flush liquids or pour them down the sewer. Do not disguise contaminated waste by wrapping them in paper or placing the toxic contents in another container.
We need to rely on our intelligence, commonsense and labels, not our memory or a “close-enough” guess on a daily basis. Simple things -as doing the laundry can become problems when we do not follow directions. Please, for everyone’s sake, check labels on new articles of clothing or household products that may have had some ingredient changes since the last purchase.
Or be ready for pink socks!