Organic Commitment
By Bruce Lee Deuley - 10/31/02

After a presentation I recently did for the Master Gardeners of Kerrville, my friend John Coleman, whose sage advice on gardening can be read weekly on this same page, told me the one thing I had caused him to realize was that organic soil care and gardening could only be successful if a commitment to an entire organic program is followed.

This column will be written each week to help those who want to make a commitment. to a safer, healthier way of life for yourselves, your loved ones and everyone around you.

The concept of feeding and caring for the soil then allowing the soil to feed and care for the plants growing in it, is the basis of the organic approach to gardening. The plants could be your vegetables, your shrubs and flowers or your lawn. Whatever you are growing, your goal is to feed the soil and make it healthy, in the process everything growing in that soil will benefit, just like Mother Nature intended. So also, will you, your pets, the local wildlife and all the rest of us.

This goal can be accomplished without the use of toxic chemicals, pesticides or herbicides.

Each week I will present a formula or recipe that can be made of products, most of which can be found in your pantry, that are not toxic in any way but will aid in your efforts to garden naturally. I will also list commercially available organic alternatives, which will accomplish the same thing, for those of you who are not into making your own organic "elixirs".

The list of "recipes" I provide will help you solve your Fire ant problems and eliminate such pest as aphids, thrips , white flies and other pesky vermin from your garden and lawn area. Other mixtures will aid in the rejuvenation of your soil by promoting the growth of good bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms which have been eliminated by the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, many of which are toxic and/or carcinogenic.

So, stick with me and remember to turn to the gardening page of this newspaper each Thursday for information on how to garden and grow with nature; naturally.

Next week: Cornmeal, its many uses in and around the garden.