Hill Gardens of Maine - Prepare For GREAT Gardening!

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Prepare For Great Gardening!
by Fred Davis, MG, Hill Gardens of Maine (To view other articles, click Archives)

Welcome through Fred's Garden Gate! (Early Spring, 2008) "Yes, Virginia. . . there really is a Spring!" I know. That's not the way it goes in the movies, but it seems so appropriate.

OK! It'll be a while longer before every trace of snow has vanished; soon spears of daffodils, crocus and tulips will be poking through litter and mulch; faint wisps of emerald green will soon paint fields and lawns; and flocks of anxious gardeners are on the verge of venturing into garden wastelands which, only two long seasons ago exuded life and color and fragrance. From back steps of winters' confinement come the cries of frustrated-gardener-bird: "Our gardens need us!" "There's work to be done!" "No time to lose!" "I need to get into that dirt!" "Where's my trowel and shovel?"

But wait! It's still too early to work rock-solid and soon-to-be waterlogged soil. It is not, however, a moment too soon to consider our plans, purposes and goals for a wonderfully-successful tour of garden duty during 2008.

According to the view from here, a mere pair of foundational gardening methods—or philosophies—come to play as we attempt to wrench beauty and sustenance from our soils: biological, and chemical.

Biologically-healthy soil almost literally hums! Millions upon millions of tiny creatures labor unseen beneath our feet, our compost bins, our mulches and our life-giving cover crops. Soil bacteria—harmless to humans—continually reduce coarse organic material into rich, nutrient-filled, chocolaty-brown humus which ultimately ensures health and vigor, stamina and strength, beauty and bounty. Lovely flowers to grace and cheer; vitamin and mineral-packed fruits and vegetables to enhance active and effective immune systems, help in building strong bones, and assist in sustaining physical health and emotional peace of mind.

Soil fungi—also harmless to us and our pets—assist en masse the decay and distribution of vital nutrients to plants, their produce and ultimately us. Masses of tiny threads weaving connections between essential minerals and the plants they sustain. A true symbiotic relationship. A vital link to life, itself. It gives me goose bumps just to imagine the churning efficiency of natural elements within dark recesses of healthy, rich, vibrantly-alive soil!

But wait! Over there! An entirely different—and tragic—story. . .

Chemically-dead soil. Sadly, a fate which has befallen vast acreage and countless tiny gardens alike. Rare and random droppings of passing wildlife provide the only life-giving organic material these soils ever experience. Absence of interest. . .or will. . .or information. . .or concern. . .dooms a stunning majority of our nation's soil to inefficiency and ineffectiveness. Stony, pale, weak and tragically deficient in most trace or micro-nutrients, chemically-dead soils barely exist. . .yet it is these very soils which grow much of our food and from which most of our flowers are extracted.

Here's a novel idea: if you've always inclined toward the use of powerfully-toxic formulas of artificial fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, why not make this the year you vow to restore truly vibrant life to your gardens foundation?

We're surrounded by resources! Barnyards are a good place for those with strong constitutions (and backs) to begin. Your local farm-'n-garden store can help with sacks of favorably-priced organic soil-building additives. Composted manures are great! Compost, itself, is great! Natural mulches are great! Natural bug-chasers and killers are really great! Associating and aligning yourself with, and learning from, naturally-inclined gardeners and small farmers is exceptionally great!

We have poured, sprinkled and sprayed enough dangerously-toxic "stuff" in and on our gardens and farms. . .on our food, in our water, on the very food which our food-animals are forced to consume. The time for restoration of life to both our soils and us is upon us. Every square foot of soil reclaimed and restored to biological health brings us all one step nearer our ultimate goal: to be responsible stewards of our precious soils!

Enjoy a healthful, satisfying, fruitful Spring!

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