Wildlife Photograph

Organic Gardening

 Compost

 Gardening is considered by many to be the most relaxing and rewarding hobby or leisure time activity they can participate in. Among the benefits: exercise, connecting to nature and producing something from your own efforts. Organic Gardening adds an environmental aspect to those benefits.

Protecting our soil, water and food supply by reducing chemical use, knowing where your food comes from, and improving food diversity are a few of the organic gardening themes you need to know.

Become informed by participating in Ijams' Living Clean & Green Organic Gardening program which are scheduled regularly at the nature center or can scheduled for FREE for your neighborhood association, civic group, or business.

Topics covered:
• Soil building/Composting
• Natural pest control: find out the difference between predator and prey in the garden
• Reduction or elimination of chemical fertilizers(everything you need you probably already have)
• Old gardeners never die, they just become compost

Tips for Success:
• Begin by looking at what you currently are doing in your yard. Ask these questions: what do you want from a garden? Is it vegetables you're interested in or flowers, herbs or a combo platter?
• What part of my yard is best suited to a garden space? Sunlight, moisture, convenience all play a part in making a garden space you'll actually end up using.
• START SMALL! Just because your brother in law owns a backhoe is no reason to dig up your whole yard for a garden. Start with small projects and build not only on your successes but also your failures as well. Success builds confidence, but failures teach lessons. Both are essential.
• Have fun, Gardening is a joy; let the sun shine in.


Useful Links:

www.organicgardening.com The most well known organic gardening magazine is still the standard for great information presented in a readable and usable format.

www.composting101.com/building-a-bin-article.html simple instructions for building a basic compost bin

This resource page is part of Living Clean & Green - a series of environmental education programs and workshops. Programs are held regularly at the nature center or can be scheduled for FREE for your neighborhood association, civic group, or business. Contact Kara Remington at 865-577 4717 ext. 15 or email keast@ijams.org for further information.