by Catherine Haug
Today’s savvy gardeners are looking for less toxic ways to control pests in the garden, lawn, and landscaping. Not only are chemical pesticides toxic to humans and pets, but also to our water sources and environment. This post addresses good gardening practices to help your plants fed off insects and diseases, rather than application of substances. [See Tips: Natural Pest Control in the Garden for practical substances] (more…)
by Catherine Haug
Bill Clanton, a Kalispell gardener, shared some of his expertise with the DIL for their May 2, 2009 issue. I include the highlights from these articles and also one from the Washington Post on Floating Row Covers, in the same issue. (more…)
by Catherine Haug
When you garden as part of a community, you not only provide food for your table, but also food for your soul. Perhaps because of a return to healthful fresh foods, or because of the current state of the economy, community gardens are springing up all over the Flathead.
Kalispell Community Garden
This group is starting a container gardening project (kick-off event was April 25). See Kalispell Community Garden (ACGA site) or Who is Your Farmer (Farm Hands) for more info about this garden.
Nourish the Flathead
This is a non-profit organization in Whitefish, is starting with a community garden in Whitefish. They can help you start a community garden in your neighborhood (Contact Diane Grove for more information; dianneg44(at)gmail.com; email disguised).
St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church
ESP is assisting the church in Ferndale to develop a Community Garden on their property. This year will be busy readying the soil, fences and water for next year’s gardens (2010). (more…)
The following is a transcription of a sidebar to the article in April 2009 issue of Scientific American: Saving the Honeybee [see Saving the Honeybee: A Synopsis for information on that article]. To me, the problem of ailing bees is the canary in the mine: warning of a dire future if we don’t pay attention. Our monoculture ag system is at the root of the problem and should be discarded if our planet is to survive.
Refer to the Xerces Society and KQED-QUEST websites for much more information about pollinators, especially the following articles:
by Catherine Haug
This article was sent to me by John Holbrook, from Missoula Extension service, on a test project regarding apple pests in Missoula. (more…)
Three presentations this evening; almost more info than one can digest in one evening. For complete summary, refer to pdf file: Gathering Summary: Pollinators & their Habitats; below is a summary. (more…)