Slide 1: Green lawns, hot flowers & ornamentals you can eat Carl Grimm Metro Natural Gardening & Toxics Reduction Specialist
Slide 5: Green lawns, hot flowers & ornamentals you can eat I. II. Why “green”? Principles of green or natural gardening III. Eye-catching and delicious plants
Slide 6: 1st, What is “green” or natural gardening? (also sustainable, organic, etc…) …Gardening for biodiversity, environmental quality & human health, while reducing hazardous & polluting practices.
Slide 7: Why natural gardening?
Slide 8: Why natural gardening?
Slide 9: Why natural gardening?
Slide 10: Why natural gardening?
Slide 11: Why natural gardening?
Slide 12: Principles of natural gardening 1. Soil organic matter matters 2. Biodiversity fosters stability 3. Non-toxic pest management protects 4. Wise watering saves
Slide 13: Soil organic matter matters Organic matter and the dynamic soil organisms it feeds foster: • Crumb structure • Better drainage • Better water holding capacity • pH buffering
Slide 14: Soil organic matter matters One source of organic matter is mulch
Slide 15: Soil organic matter matters Another source is compost Make home-made compost from: • Yard trimmings and fruit & vegetable trimmings • NO meat, dairy, grease, grains or bread
Slide 16: Soil organic matter matters Steps to composting: 1. Chop materials to speed the process
Slide 17: Soil organic matter matters 2. Mix “browns” and “greens”
Slide 18: Soil organic matter matters 3. Maintain moisture damp as a wrung out sponge
Slide 19: Soil organic matter matters Keep animals out of compost: • Rodent-resistant bins have a lid, floor and no holes larger than ¼ inch • Buy the Earth Machine at MetroPaint Store on Swan Island for $35, floor $7
Slide 20: Soil organic matter matters • My current favorite purchased fertilizers: Alfalfa Meal and greensand
Slide 21: Fertile soil Balance is key • Over fertilizing can cause pest problems and pollute rivers and streams • A balance of nutrients fosters plant health
Slide 22: Biodiversity fosters stability
Slide 23: Biodiversity fosters stability
Slide 24: Biodiversity fosters stability • Flowers provide nectar for beneficial insects • Trees and shrubs provide shade and habitat
Slide 25: Biodiversity fosters stability • Appropriate plants include natives, and non-invasive exotics
Slide 26: Biodiversity fosters stability • Damselflies, dragonflies, birds, beetles and more eat pests
Slide 27: Biodiversity fosters stability • Simple water features provide vital water for birds, bees and butterflies
Slide 28: Biodiversity fosters stability • Symbiotic bacterial in legume root nodules make fertilizer from thin air
Slide 29: Biodiversity fosters stability • Diverse pollinators, soil organisms, pest predators and plants keep our gardens thriving
Slide 30: Non-toxic pest management protects Preventions and cures • Enhance plant health • Foster diverse insects and birds • Remove some pests and weeds by hand
Slide 31: Non-toxic pest management protects • Use mulch to suppress weeds
Slide 32: Non-toxic pest management protects • If necessary, many non-toxic and less-toxic products now available
Slide 33: Wise watering saves • Level your beds • Use compost and mulch
Slide 34: Wise watering saves • Select drought tolerant plants
Slide 35: Wise watering saves • Disconnect your downspout if your site allows for it
Slide 36: Wise watering saves • Use efficient irrigation techniques like drip systems, soaker hoses and timed shutoff valves
Slide 37: Eye-catching and delicious plants
Slide 38: Eye-catching and delicious plants
Slide 39: Eye-catching and delicious plants
Slide 40: Eye-catching and delicious plants
Slide 41: Eye-catching and delicious plants
Slide 42: Eye-catching and delicious plants
Slide 43: Eye-catching and delicious plants
Slide 44: Eye-catching and delicious plants
Slide 45: Resources
Slide 46: Resources
Slide 47: Resources • Metro Natural Techniques Gardens in SE Portland and now also at Blue Lake Park • Recycling Information Center (503) 234-3000 • www.metroregion.org/garden
Slide 48: The future is in your hands – garden naturally!