Seattle show offers new ideas

Tue., Feb. 27, 2007

Pat Munts Correspondent The Spokesman-Review

» Here are just a few of the ideas from the display on ways to become a green gardener:

Think green

Be a green consumer by buying renewable and biodegradable garden materials and reusable products. There are lots out there to choose from if you look. Ask for them if you don't find them.

Go for quality

Buy good quality tools that will last a long time and take care of them.

Be water wise

Learn to use water efficiently and effectively. Tune up sprinkler systems and use water-conserving timers and soaker hoses that put water where it is needed.

Maintain

Pick plants that are tolerant of conditions in your garden. Pull out any that are disease prone or magnets for insects.

Compost

Recycle and minimize yard and kitchen vegetable waste by making your own compost pile and using garden trimmings as mulch. For us this includes shredded pine needles.

Work with nature

Learn options to reduce pesticide use and incorporate simple cultural techniques and beneficial wildlife and insects in the battle against pests.

Go organic

Take good care of your soil by adding organic material and working it in carefully to maintain its friability. Use organic or slow release fertilizers that add nutrients over a longer period of time. Lawns actually grow much more slowly with these types of fertilizers but still look great.

Environmentally friendly

Use tools that have the least impact on the environment and your neighbors. If you have a small, level lawn, consider using a new-fashioned reel lawn mower that doesn't make noise, use fossil fuel or wake up the whole neighborhood. Use hand tools instead of power tools where appropriate. A bonus is that you get more exercise as you do this.

Take note and network

Keep records of what you do so you can learn from your gardening experiences. Seek out information on new plants, products and techniques and share them with friends to build a network of like-minded individuals.

My annual sojourn to the Northwest Flower and Garden show in Seattle is always an opportunity to see new ideas and get inspired for the coming garden season. Just being around green things does wonders for my attitude.

Besides the opportunities to spend money, the hallmark of the flower show is the phenomenal display gardens that showcase all kinds of ideas for how to use your garden – everything from plants to hardscapes to ways to create unique living spaces outdoors.

This year there was a thought provoking display garden called the Green Garage, a landscape complete with a tool shed (read garage) full of simple, straightforward ways to become a more ecologically minded gardener. The display was developed by the American Horticulture Society and has been traveling around the country communicating the idea that gardeners and nongardeners alike can do simple things that can make a big impact.

“It doesn’t matter if you are a serious gardener or a weekend lawn mower, a few changes in habits can go a long way to being earth friendly,” says Laura Alexander, the AHS representative at the Seattle show. “We have been doing this realistic display around the country so people can visually see the concepts.”