Subject: one-straw revolution
From: "Bill Robinson" <roseguy@flash.net>
Organization: Roadrunner Community Network -- Binghamton, NY, USA
Date: Tue, 5 Aug 1997 09:23:32 -0700
Message-ID: <MOD$970805.6422@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
It seems to me that as one goes from 'chemical' gardening
to 'organic' gardening, some simply discontinue the use of
materials that are considered toxic or environmentally
destructive and they replace that material with one of lower
toxicity; i.e., going from something like diazinon to something
like Safer's Soap. The goal of killing some particular pest might
remain the same and this replacement may or may not be require a different
amount of work.
I have the idea that going 'organic' also involves a greater use
of environmentally friendly cultural practices. Hand weeding
and the generous use of compost as a mulch rather than using RoundUp, etc.
Really getting fussy and seeking out the right
plants that are truly disease resistant other then using Funginex
and so on.
For what its worth, I don't use any pesticides - including those
materials considered "organic" - and rely totally on the use
of environmentally friendly cultural practices for pest control.
I am reasonably satisfied with the level of control just plain,
simple gardening gives but I also find it to be hard work. I don't think
the "One-Straw Revolution" really addresses that issue.
Bill