WATCH WHAT “CIDE” YOU’RE ON
or Maintaining a Healthy Garden in a World of Chemicals
I don’t care what Punxsutawney Phil said, I’m dreaming of a green garden. I see fields of snow melting away to crocus and daffodils and emerging grasses, or are they weeds!
Quick, to the herbicide. Ah, digging in the soil, the smell of rich humus, what’s that – a Bug, to the insecticide!! Oh well, Plant, Plant, Plant! Soon a lush garden, maybe a little too lush. Oh no, uninvited pests, quick to the pesticide. Now that’s better, look at the beautiful snap peas. Hey, there’s a bite out of one of my peas, no wait, the stem is severed – no time to lose, to the rodenticide.
Yes, it will soon be that paradoxical time of year when every ad, storefront, website, and friend, will all be exalting – Grow, Life, Spring is for Lovers, you name it, and equally at the same time will be promoting the “cides”. The Latin word cida actually means to kill, killing. Ironic, a little too ironic, don’t you think? WHAT exactly are you killing?
Think, you are what you eat, sound familiar? Well, it is true. Everything you put into your garden soil, the air around it and in the water works it’s way up the food chain, all the way up to – you got it – to the top, the head honcho, the big kahuna – You!
Every “cide” you use could have an impact on your health. So, before you choose a “cide”, a few key thoughts:
#1 Take your reading glasses to the garden store so you can READ the label. Or take your chemist friend.
#2 If you choose to purchase a “cide”, use the correct amount. Making it twice as strong will not kill them deader!
#3 Know the enemy, take a sample pest from your garden or have your teenager take a cell phone picture and e-mail it to the store.
#4 Don’t talk to a salesperson who stands in the “cide” isle more than 2 minutes. Ever notice that chemical smell in that section? Well, as the saying goes; If you can smell it, well, you know.
# 5 Lastly, don’t use a “cide”! There are other ways to deal with the challenges of gardening!
Stop, stop right there! Overload, right?
Exactly my point, too much “cide”.
Enough for now, we’ll get into specifics next time, but for now: Think about what you use to Kill something that’s in your garden, the garden that feeds you to stay Alive!
Take Care,
Greenhouse Richard
