Horticulture

GOING Organic

At the landscaping company where I work, our clients sometimes ask about changing to an organic lawn-care program. I can spot two assumptions by the way they phrase the question: They think it’s simply a matter of swapping out traditional (synthetically derived) products for natural ones to yield a similar result, and that letting the lawn “go organic” means less work.

Making the switch is more complex than that. For the most part, you won’t find exact one-for-one product swaps. And it’s not so much work as it is work. Perhaps the trickiest part is managing

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Horticulture

Horticulture4 min read
Around The World With Herbs
When I talk about herbs with fellow gardeners, their first thought is “basil,” followed by parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme—like the Simon & Garfunkel song. For many, culinary herbs are synonymous with Mediterranean plants. My herb books list the sa
Horticulture14 min read
Steve Castorani
IN THE 1980S, Steve Castorani founded North Creek Nurseries with Dale Hendricks. Sharing an interest in native plants, natural landscaping and ecological restoration, the two focused their southeastern Pennsylvania company on the propagation of North
Horticulture2 min read
Editor’s Note
There isn’t much I miss about the garden at our old house. I best loved the lessons it taught me, which I brought with me when we moved. But one highlight—sometimes—was the saucer magnolia (Magnolia ×soulangeana) that stood near the front door. I did

Related Books & Audiobooks