“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.”
~ Native American Proverb
The Demarest Garden Club encourages the education and activism of its members. This year’s National theme, “Nurture the Earth – Plant Natives” encourages gardeners to protect Mother Earth by growing regional native plants which tend to be hardy, drought and disease resistant. This leads to less water waste and reduces chemicals used in our gardens.
Conservation Tips for the Garden
- Stop using garden chemicals . . . Lawn pesticides and fertilizers leach into drinking water and come into your house on shoes and pets.
- The many natural products available at your local garden shop are better alternatives.
- Do not allow herbicide 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid to be used on your lawn. Exposure doubles your pets’ risk of canine malignant lymphoma and threatens your own health.
- One way to avoid herbicides is use white vinegar to kill grass between patio bricks and spot spray on weeds in lawn – best results when used on a sunny day.
- Kill aphids by spraying soapy water on infested plants then rinse with clear water.
- To avoid pesticides, introduce beneficial insects into your garden.
~ One ladybug eats as many as 5,000 aphids per year.
~ Reduce mosquitoes by putting a bat box in your yard.
~ Encourage insect eating birds by providing birdhouses.
GCNJ Reports
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Websites of Interest
| http://www.gardenclub.org/ | Information on National Garden Clubs, Inc. |
| www.nwf.org/gardenersguide | Global warming and its affect on native plants |
| www.bbg.org/invasives | Worst invasive plants in the New York area |
| http://www.cleanoceanaction.org/ | Info on NJ’s Offshore Liquefied Natural Gas Port |
| http://www.carbonfund.org/ | Learn more about your carbon footprint |
| http://www.grassrootsinfo.org/ | Environmental toxins and their affect on health |
| http://www.organicgardentips.com/ | Gardening without chemicals |
| http://www.thegreenguide.com/ | Online magazine of Environmental News |
| http://www.greenyour.com/ | Eco-friendly tips for sustainable living |