Why I am an organic gardener

Posted on 14 Mar, 2008 1 comment

I’ve already said in my postings that my philosophy of gardening is laissez faire…but that it too simplistic…I’ve been reading and searching and found this crede in a book: Anne Lovejoy’s Organic Gardening and Design School, published by Rodale Press. I was hooked from the first page but on the ninth page I found this…and I want to share it…there are so many gardening books out there that many who could benefit from Ms. Lovejoy’s knowledge may never see… So I will try my hand at precis writing…
Her title is “Why I’m an Organic Gardener”: In her first paragraph she talks about the evolution of gardening, the availability of cheap labour and the assumption that gardening was a pursuit for the wealthy, and the male sex.
In her second paragraph she talks about the folly of the ‘perfect garden’ the absolutely immaculate, bug and weed free garden; in a society which sees nature as something to be dominated, manipulated and overcome. “Domination of nature through poisons like pesticides and herbicides is cruelly easy.. Its very simplicity fosters feelings of superiority and makes it seem as if
it were right to kill any living thing that might annoy a human.”
She calls this type of gardening “control oriented power gardening”
Seems apt to me.
Her second last paragraph is about the most basic of methods in which she co-opts nature by using the planting patterns found in nature. Knowledge of plant form, and the essential nature of the soil on the site where she gardens are her strengths. She leaves native species along the verges of her garden to provide for wildlife and as an insect buffer. No part of nature is excluded from her plantings…
Her last paragraph states quite eloquently her part as natures aide or steward. Her garden is, by her choice, a place “overflowing with ease and comfort, not endless chores and problems.”
I am impressed by this because of it’s eminent good sense. Nature isn’t out there ready to pounce and twart us at every turn…she is waiting for us to finally get with the programme!
Observation is the key…know the whys and wherefores of the piece of the planet that you have chosen to make whole again. By all means innovate but if it fails reevaluate your wants and your methods by what is already growing on your plot. Hopefully we will recognize the right combination when we see it.
So today I will sit down again with my drawing pad and pencil, and while I’m dreaming it up…my second thoughts will come…and hopefully the formula I need will appear effortlessly because I read Anne Lovejoy’s book.
I would recommend it to all gardeners. Even if you don’t share her devotion to organic methods, her plant lists are quite interesting, and you may pick up a useful tidbit here and there.
the basics of design are the same … but some of her methods are different. I think all can benefit from her work.

Comments

Steve

14 Mar, 2008

hi lori
we also try to be as organic as possible, both in the garden and veg patch.it means leaving the odd patch of nettles or wood to encourge insects , planting shrubs to attract butterflies . using soapy water instead of chemical sprays. i use organic fertiliser( fish bone & blood) as a general fertiliser, and dig in lots of well rotted compost as required.this year we are going to experiment with companion planting in the veg patch, i think marigolds dettract the pests, and in the greenhouse several pots of basil as well.and this is a great herb to cook with!
we try and compost everything , apart from weeds, as we are never to sure which ones to throw away and which ones will compost , maybe someone can enlighten us.we also have bird feeders all year round and several nesting boxes, although to date these dont seem to attract any nesting birds, but we live in hope! i may write a blog on our success/ failure later in the season.
steve

Blog post by Lori.

0 people like this blog

Why I am an organic gardener

Why I am an organic gardener

Comments

Recent posts by Lori

Archive