WELCOME TO 1988. It is traditional for us to enter January with a list of several New Year’s resolutions. They seldom stay with us later than Jan. 2, but where would the human race be without its weaknesses, passions and gencral lack of willpower? Being a traditional sort of guy, | have made several, one of which relates to this column. I will begin the first article of each month with a list of timely tips and gentle reminders for the upcoming month in the garden. So here we go for January. © protect tender plants from winter frost damage © stake new plants against wind damage © continue garden cleanups ® turn the compost pile © sharpen pruning equipment © prune trees and shrubs that re- quire dormant pruning © apply dormant sprays © garden centre seed stocks are in ® start slow to grow flower seeds indoors ® take geranium cuttings ® take power equipment in for ser- vicing © get the mower sharpened ® repair tool handles . work on garden design Speaking of New Year's resolu. tions, 1 have one that can. actually help you keep a couple of our most common pledges. Has anyone out there committed themselves to los- ing weight by the beginning of the swimsuit season? A few of you must be saying, ‘'I need more cxercise to ward off those cardiovascular bogies and clear the head.** Or maybe you have decided to finally kick the habit and quit smoking. Most of you will think I'm nuts for trying to link organic garden- ing to the keeping of one’s prom- ises, but humor me and hear me out. . Organic gardening demands the samc kind of commitment, resolve and determination that is required for the maintenance of New Year's resolutions. It may sound like work, but it couldn't have been all! that easy getting chubby either. Chances are, if I can talk you into taking a closer look at organic gardening, life in the garden will become a lot iess complicated and it will become increasingly difficult to rationalize your way out of those promises. You will probably develop an unforgiving set of scruples and a nag for a conscience, but your garden and perhaps your waistline will reward you for it. First, | must acknowledge those of you who cringe every time you see me condoning the use of over the garden gate by Geoff Tobiasson diazinon, Roundup, slug bait, or any other chemical ‘solution’, by offering this rationalization. For nearly 15 years now, I have been asked to offer advice relative to indoor and outdoor gardening. During that period, I have witnessed many odd and unusual patterns of behavior by those of you whose plants are in some form of distress. Like the lady who saw a product that contained both a fertilizer and a systemic insecticide to feed and Protect roses from aphids and other bugs. W interior fextiles itd. NOW OPEN! « Delectable Chintz e Tasteful Interior Design * «High Quality Creative Sewing + Neat Stoff * CHINTZY Prices You'll Love Us! 1180 Marine Drive North Vancouver 985-8011 Albeit an easy product to use, it is extremely toxic and should have been treated with respect. On the label it clearly stated that the product was not to be used around food crops. Of course, our heroine didn’t read the label, decided it would work wonders on her tomatoes, and put herself and her family in the hospital, near death, Or the more typical gentleman who comes into the store to ask for advice on weed control in the vegetable bed. He is told that mechanical treatment (hand removal) and cultivation) is by far and away the safest course. He promptly ignores the advice and buys some expensive ‘NukeAway' weed kifler which sterilizes his garden for the next several centuries. These examples appear to sup- port those arguments that call for a cessation of the recommenda- tions of these potentially harmful products. I see it differently. 15 - Friday, January 8, 1988 - North Shore News The average homeowner doesn’t want to hear about getting down on his or her knees to pull weeds or squash bugs between their fingers. They want the quick fix. If we offer them no alternatives they will go to the nearest discount Store, buy whichever product has the most effective label and blast away, Better to present a logical and sound argument for good, organic practices in conjunction with the safest possible chemical alter- native. That way if they feel they must resort to the quick-fix, it will cause the least damage possible. But this article was intended as a declaration of the benefits of organic gardening and it has degenerated into a plea for pardon to the organic gardeners of the North Shore. Next week, I'll see if I can stay on track. In the meantime, Happy New Year to you all, and hold on to those resolutions. Total labour cost on 1 custom draperies only . . ONE WINDOW OR THE WHOLE HOUSE REGARDLESS OF JOB SIZE! COM. orders do not apply Tre Ulimate in [o) Custom Design rink Sim : North Vancouver f° 1099 Marine Drive a Phone: 985- 6148 IN) Vancouver ; 4605 Cambie Street § Phone: 879-1466 A ae “te.