Plants & Bulbs

» Georgene A. Bramlage - More Good Tools

Angela and all,

I am not a fanatic about "organic." When we grew vegetables (lots of them to feed the kids and all their friends!) we used very few synthetic chemicals. Lots of homemade compost, mulching and bug-picking. My husband (who grew up on a farm) did use synthetic fertilizer when it was needed.

As for all my ornamentals...part of me is concerned; part of me is lazy I use very little in the way of pesticides and then only when forced against the wall - so-to-speak I do bug-picking and generally try to plant items which are insect and disease resistant.

I use sewage-sludge / other slo-release fertilizers (Milogranite and Nitroganic) partly because they don't burn if you misapply. They are more expensive and contain fewer nutrients per application than good old 10-10-10 or 5-10-5, etc.

For years we didn't ferilize our lawn. Now, I have a local lawn care company that uses a periodic fertilizer / herbicide program. The fertilizer is a ocmbination of slo-release nutirents and quick-start. I really got tired of having a lousy looking lawn after the kids weren;t around.

Angela and all...I should have written an article for you!

But, please check out the Tufts' stuff, you will be glad you did...their approach is very even-handed.

Regards,

G.