CLASS SUMMARY:
This six session class series is about the principals and practices
of organic gardening. It covers both the use of "organic" materials
and the use of "organic" cultural practices . The class series is not
so much "anti-chemical" as it is "pro" gardening in an environmentally
friendly manner.
Content includes an overview of gardening in co-operation with the
ecosystem of the home garden, ways to build soil tilth and richness,
plant nutrition using organic fertilizers, ways to grow a garden that
are naturally resistant to pests and disease, and ways to work with
nature in correcting garden problems.
This class series is a companion to the FAQ for
rec.gardens.ecosystems
and is designed for the home gardener.
TEXTS:
Brady, Nyle C. 1996. The Nature and Properties of Soils. Upper
Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, A Simon & Schuster Co.
Olkowski, William, Sheila Daar and Helga Olkowski. 1991.
Common-Sense Pest Control. Newton, Conn.: A Fine Gardening Book,
Taunton Press
Pleasant, Barbara. 1995. The Gardener's Guide to Plant Diseases.
Pownal, Vt.: A Down-to-Earth Gardening Book from Storey
Publishing, Storey Communications, Inc.
CONTENT OF CLASS MATERIAL:
SESSION #1: OVERVIEW OF ORGANIC GARDENING:
Definition of Basic Terms:
- Organic
- Certified Organic
- Ecosystem
- Integrated Pest Management
Summary of Basic Concepts:
- Healthy Garden
- Pests and Weeds
- Toxicity
History of Organic Gardening
Reading:
- Section A; FAQ;
"General Information, Definition of Terms, Hints & Tips"
- Appendix A; FAQ;
"Organic Certification Standards"
- Appendix B; FAQ;
"Recommended Reading"
- Olkowski, Daar & Olkowski; "Common-Sense Pest Control":
Chapter 1: "Naming Living Things and Understanding their
Habits and Habitats"
Chapter 2: "Natural Pest Controls"
Chapter 3: "Introduction to Integrated Pest Management"
SESSION #2: SOILS; SOIL ORGANISMS; AND SOIL AMENDMENTS
Soils:
- Soil Texture
- Soil Structure
- Soil Properties
- Soil Reaction
Soil Organisms:
- Soil Microorganisms
- Mycorrhizal Fungi
- Soil Pathogens
- Soil Macro Organisms
Soil Amendments:
- Building Organic Content
- Improving Drainage
- Bio-Remediation
Reading:
- Section B; FAQ;
"Soil Structure & Content; Soil Properties &
Amendments; Soil Microorganisms, Soil Macro Organisms;
Correcting Soil Problems; and Mulches"
- Brady: "The Nature & Properties of Soils":
Chapter 11: "Organisms & Ecology of the Soil"
Chapter 12: "Soil Organic Matter"
SESSION #3: COMPOSTING & PLANT NUTRITION
Composting:
- Composting Process
- Uses of Compost
- Sheet Composting
- "Green Manures"
- Vermicomposting
Plant Nutrition:
- Macro and Micronutrients
- Chemical vs. Organic Fertilizers
- Role of the Soil Organisms in the Nutritional Process
- Foliar Feeding
Reading:
- Section C; FAQ:
"Composting & Use of Compost"
- Section D; FAQ:
"Plant Nutrition"
- Brady: "The Nature & Properties of Soils":
Chapter 13: "Nitrogen and Sulfur Economy of Soils"
Chapter 14: "Soil Phosphorus and Potassium"
Chapter 15: "Micronutrient Elements"
Chapter 16: "Practical Nutrient Management"
SESSION #4: CULTURAL PRACTICES
Environmentally Friendly Cultural Practices:
- Plant Selection
- Crop Rotation
- Companion Plants & Bio-Diversity
- Trap Plantings
- Garden Layout
- Watering & Irrigation Practices
- Sanitation Practices
- Pruning
- Fertilizing
- Mulching
- Garden Monitoring & Garden Editing
- Hand Weeding
Reading:
- Section E; FAQ;
"Cultural Practices"
- Olkowski, Daar & Olkowski: "Common-Sense Pest Control":
Chapter 4: Pest-Treatment Strategies and Tactics
Chapter 26: "Garden Design and Maintenance"
SESSION #5: WEEDS, WEED PREVENTION & WEED CONTROL
Weeds:
- The Nature of "Weedness"
- Characteristics & Control of Annual Weeds
- Characteristics & Control of Perennial Weeds
Weed Prevention:
- Use of Mulch
- "Hot" Composting
- Soil Solarization
Weed Control:
- Hand Weeding
- Use of Flame or Heat
- Use of Biological Control Agents
- Problems with the use of Chemical Herbicides
Reading:
- Section I; FAQ;
"Weeds, Weed Prevention and Weed Control"
- Olkowski, Daar & Olkowski: "Common-Sense Pest Control":
Chapter 27: "Meet the Weeds"
Chapter 28: "Safe and Sane Weed Management"
SESSION #6: PRINCIPALS OF PEST CONTROL; PESTS & SOIL
DISEASE; PLANT & SOIL PESTS
Principals of Pest Control:
- The Garden as an Ecosystem
- Organic Gardening vs. Integrated pest Management
- Issues of Toxicity
- Learning "not to see those things we don't want to see"
Treatment & Prevention of Pests & Disease:
- Use of Certified Materials and Methods:
- Use of Pesticides
- Use of Beneficial Organisms & Biologicals
- Use of Traps & Barriers
- Use of Cultural Practices
- Use on Non-Certified Materials & Methods:
- Use of "Home Remedies"
- Use of Toxic Pesticides
Reading:
- Section G; FAQ;
"Plant & Soil Disease; Treatment & Prevention"
- Section H; FAQ;
"Plant & Soil Pests; Treatment & Prevention"
- Olkowski, Daar & Olkowski; "Common-Sense Pest Control":
Chapter 5; "Meet the Beneficials"
Chapter 6; "Choosing the Right Chemicals against Pests"
Chapter 7; "Some Useful Inorganics, Organics & Botanicals"
Chapter 30; "Least-Toxic Lawn Pest Management"
Chapter 31; "Pests of Food and Ornamental Gardens"
Chapter 32; "Pests of Shade Trees"