Secrets of the Earth

Secrets of the Earth
March 01 & March 03

Composting is nothing new. My wife and I have practised it for more than 30 years. Before the days of recycling, we even shredded and composted every discarded piece of paper that came to our house from envelopes to newspapers, adding it to our giant 60 square foot compost pile. There were always two such piles on the go, and the previous year’s compost, now a rich, mellow black earth was generously spread onto our vegetable garden, eventually turning the stiff clay into a thing of pleasure. Even today, we still compost, on a lesser scale, using it for flower beds and tree bases. Truly Nature’s gold.
For the same period of time, we have never used pesticides, and have rarely used commercial fertilizers. It just seemed like the right approach to a backyard in which we have tried to attract wildlife, not to mention maintaining our own health. And if left to Nature, everything seems to work quite well on its own, without artificial help. I am always reminded of Peter Trueman’s classic comment on one of his TV documentaries. “The best thing we can do for Nature is stop trying to play God, learn how to control ourselves, and then get out of the way.”
Local residents will have a chance on March 19^th to hear success stories, handy tips, and suggestions on how to garden without the use of pesticides. I have the pleasure of being one of four presenters that day as I do a presentation on how we have naturalized our two acre property with a variety of native plants, trees and shrubs
in our efforts to attract wildlife, and that we did it using only compost and other natural means. The presentation, taking place at the Community Centre in Picton, commences at 1:30 p.m. and is being organized by the Prince Edward County Council Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC).
One of the local residents spearheading the initiative is Doug Parker of Milford, Chair of the EAC
pesticide sub-committee, and he will also be present to give an illustrated talk on composting. Organic lawn care specialist Jenn Nash and organic landscaper Lorraine Schmid will also be on hand to share their expertise. The six workshops on backyard naturalization, lawn care, flower gardening, vegetable growing, composting and vermiculture will be held concurrently, and will be repeated once to give those in attendance a chance to take advantage of more than one workshop. The presentations are expected to conclude by 4:30 in the afternoon.
Being advertised as “The Secrets of Life,” the afternoon of workshops is hoping to challenge attendees to look at gardening in a new way, and inspire them to seek out more detailed information, while offering a wide range of ideas and techniques. For example, ever hear of Diatomaceous Earth? It is a non-toxic, perfectly safe substance made up from crushed fossils of freshwater organisms and marine life. Crushed to a fine powder and observed through a microscope, the particles resemble bits of broken glass. We have used it for years with great results. So, despite the name, it really isn’t dirt or earth at all. It kills by physical injury rather than by chemical poisoning. The microscopically sharp edges of diatoms are drawn to the insect by static electricity, puncturing the skin and draining the insect of bodily fluids. This causes dehydration and ultimately death. If the dust is eaten by an insect, the microscopic needles of silica interfere with the insect’s breathing, digestion and reproduction, thereby preventing further infestation. Insects simply cannot become immune to its action.
This is the sort of information we are hoping attendees will be able to glean from these workshops. “This initiative is a practical outcome of the EAC’s mandate from County Council, to advise Council and do public education of environmental concern,” explains Doug Parker. “We are delighted to offer this unique opportunity to explore some marvellous alternatives.”
Organic pest control products, compost, beneficial insects, companion planting, building healthy soil by adding blood meal, bone meal and wood ashes to provide needed nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, all work toward a healthy ecosystem. All these, and many others, are alternatives that all of us can easily learn and apply to our premises.
The afternoon Secrets of the Earth festival on March 19^th is free, and everyone is welcome to come and explore the alternatives being offered. More information on the event can be obtained by contacting Doug Parker at 476-1543.