These days, our culture has been swept up in the Green Revolution, the movement that most often
begins in the kitchen with the selections we make for produce, meats and sundries that go into our
meals. Those choices, for many, are conducted in the aisles of Whole Foods or the increasing number
of neighborhood grocers with organic sections in their stores.
For some, those fresh potatoes and peppers are picked from their own plots and pots. That's the
best ideal, isn't it? Home gardeners can control every aspect of planting, fertilizing and the ominous
decision about whether or not to apply potentially toxic pesticides to control the weeds and insects.
For those who don't have the time or talent to grow their own, however, the best new
alternative looks a lot like the option of old: the family farm.
To find out more on food gardening, click here.
Fertilizer by the Numbers
As I've traveled around the nation to talk about our nonprofit foundation SafeLawns.org, I've encountered a tremendous amount of confusion about organic products. "What's really organic, and what isn't?" people ask. A recent Internet poll of 1,162 home gardeners, commissioned by the Organic Trade Association, indicated that 97 percent of gardeners are confused by fertilizers and soil amendments labeled as organic.
Local businesses are the backbone of communities throughout America. Without them,
we would live in a world homogenized by corporate companies selling similar products
without variety and originality. When it comes to gardening, we all want flair. We
want plants suited for the environment and zone conditions, plants you can't find
anywhere else, plants that are grown with love and care in your community versus
those shipped in from who knows where. On the following pages, you will find 478
local garden centers that can provide all your gardening needs this summer. From the
profiles selected by our editors, you will find that many of these independent garden
centers and nurseries are family owned and operated. Not only will you find
knowledgeable staff and a great product, you can feel good about supporting a local
business. You never know where the garden will take you, so keep this directory handy
in the months ahead to learn about garden centers in your area and those you may not
have heard of. For inspiration and information, dig in.
SafeLawns & Landscapes Radio Live
SafeLawns & Landscapes radio is live every Thursday night at 8 Eastern. Great guests and smart advice on creating a chemical-free environment for your children and pets! Paul Tukey of HGTV hosts. Call in and be part of the conversation!
PPP TV Update!
With the conclusion of our television show's broadcast on HGTV, we are pleased to announce the North American release of our 46-episode collection of 5 DVDs on March 27. The show may be pre-ordered on Amazon.com. We are also negotiating to have copies for sale at the upcoming flower shows and will eventually offer the DVD set for sale on our own web site.
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We wanted to let you know that People, Places & Plants founder Paul Tukey will
be making the rounds throughout Maine and New Hampshire during the month of
June, including several speaking engagements focused on organic lawn care and
gardening. We hope you can stop by and see Paul to get your questions answered
and to share your story ideas for upcoming issues of the magazine. At each
stop, Paul will be carrying product coupons and discount subscription offers
and stopping for signings of his best-selling book, The Organic Lawn Care Manual.
Upcoming events where Paul will speak:
June 17 — Crystal Lake Watershed Association,
Gray, Maine, High School Gymnasium, 7-9 p.m. Cheryl Welch, ccwelch@tdisp.com.
June 21 — Garland Farm Historical Society,
Bar Harbor, Maine, 1 p.m. Patrick Chasse, Patrick@MossKing.com.
June 22 — Six-State Agricultural Teachers Conference,
Portland, Maine, 4 p.m. Gail Kiley Saunders, gkileys@aol.com.
We hope to see you there. Please stop by and say hello and be sure to tell all your friends.
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