Organic gardening a must

Let’s face it folks: Using environmentally sound gardening and lawn care practices is quickly becoming a matter of necessity instead of a lifestyle choice. The recent debate about reducing the use of phosphorus, a key ingredient in fertilizers, to improve local water quality is just the beginning of a long-needed conversation about our environment in the Inland Northwest.

Moving to environmentally sound gardening practices isn’t just about pulling out your wallet to buy environmentally friendly products. It’s about how we plant, water, mow, weed and trim. It will take time to retrain and undo old habits – and now, with the snow and rain coming down, is the perfect time to start.

Begin by picking up books and magazines published by Rodale Books, which specializes in organic gardening and living.

Rodale’s “Illustrated Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening,” is filled with hundreds of organic techniques and methods, as well as explanations on why they are important.

Organic Gardening is Rodale’s leading monthly publication on the subject. Rodale began publishing the magazine in 1942, long before the idea of growing things by working with nature had become mainstream. Each issue is filled with timely articles on maintaining a healthy garden and landscape, and discussions of current hot topics like genetically modified seed and agricultural practices.

You can also pick up seed and garden supply catalogs to familiarize yourself with just what’s available to help you go green. Even if you buy most of your plants and garden supplies locally, catalogs are worth their weight in information and ideas.

The catalogs published by Gardens Alive! and the Peaceful Valley Farm and Garden Supply, are two excellent sources of information on organic-based fertilizers, soil builders and pest controls.

The Gardens Alive! catalog has excellent photos of damage caused by pests and diseases that can help you diagnose garden problems. Peaceful Valley has an extensive line of water thrifty irrigation systems plus many tools, books and seeds.

Seed catalogs are another good source of information. Seeds of Change specializes in certified organically grown seed, and they offer a wide range of hard-to-find heirloom and rare vegetable and flower seeds, along with new varieties. You can also learn how a plant has been used through history as well as its nutritional value in an organic diet.

Nichols’ Garden Nursery offers a solid list of flower and vegetable seed for Northwest gardens. The catalog offers lots of growing tips for use in the often unpredictable climate we have to deal with here.

Access and availability to environmentally friendly lawn and garden services and products is improving in Spokane. A number of companies offer environmentally friendly lawn and garden care services, and many garden centers have a section devoted to earth-friendly gardening products.

And now, thanks to the folks at Out There Monthly, the first issue of the Go Green Directory is available. Sponsored by Washington State University and Avista Utilities, the directory provides the first centralized list of Inland Northwest companies offering environmentally friendly products and services for the home and garden. You can also find environmentally friendly outlets for food, natural health, transportation, energy and recycling, as well as many other community organizations.

The directory is free and available at Spokane retailers and outdoor businesses and the Spokane Public Library’s Downtown branch.