Everyone (including me) hates how the word “sustainability” has been overused and misused. Yet there are some good concepts associated with the word that can help gardeners make rational decisions about products and practices. This week’s podcast deconstructs sustainability into specific actions that gardeners can easily follow:
- Discovering and nurturing the natural processes that keep your gardens and landscapes healthy and functional
- Choosing plants and products wisely to conserve natural resources
- Creating gardens and landscapes that don’t require constant inputs of packaged fertilizers and pesticides
The podcast illustrates each of these points. First, there’s a research article that demonstrates the benefits of polyculture in growing vegetables. Next, there’s a critical look at a website presenting a “Sustainable Garden Starter Kit: 10 Must-Have Products for the New Green Grower.” Lastly I dispel the myth of “instant landscaping”, which is code for “long term disaster.”
The interview this week is on building your own garden pond. Dr. Jim Scott (PhD in horticulture), turns his talents to the plumbing, electrical work, and aesthetic disguises needed to build a really great garden water feature. Lucky for me, he also happens to be my spouse!
Jim and Linda try to figure out how many years it took to do a week long project
Decks…
…cleverly disguise pump system…
…and filter system
Seasonal guests
Permanent residents (the little orange guys in water)
Please let me know what you think of the podcast; you can email me directly or post a comment on the blog. Suggestions for future podcasts are most welcome!
Lacia and Dalli (the goat who thinks she’s a lap dog)
The goats make short work of most garden and yard waste
My podcasting producer Tina makes some new friends
Chickens are part of the system, too. They eat bugs from the used goat bedding.
Lacia setting up the milking station
Bee fountain
Bee heaven – nectar and lots of water
Corky opens the hive
Bees and honey!
Art and the garden
