tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20831949.post6314520679101842098..comments2024-03-24T10:06:36.115-03:00Comments on Bloomingwriter: Gardening in Nova Scotia: Sustainability and a bloomingwriter's gardenAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12107236871193698777noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20831949.post-26072620798608835342010-04-08T13:16:16.979-03:002010-04-08T13:16:16.979-03:00Bravo, Jodi! You are an inspiration. I'm one...Bravo, Jodi! You are an inspiration. I'm one of the newcomers, myself, having only picked up Rachel Carson's book about five years ago now. (I can say, without exaggeration, that it changed my life.) <br /><br />My grandfather, who farmed for over 50 years, most of them spent using the chemical methods popularized just after WWII, suffers from Parkinson's disease today due to Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11454557080455458675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20831949.post-67126574928382629632010-04-08T11:21:28.153-03:002010-04-08T11:21:28.153-03:00Beautifully written post Jodi.
We're chemic...Beautifully written post Jodi. <br /><br />We're chemical-free here. I grew up with a huge vegetable garden, and parents who lived by Mother Earth News and Organic Gardening.<br /><br />It was interesting, to say the least, marrying a man who loves his lawn and used every chemical in the book to keep it lush and weed free. I knew preaching wouldn't work, and am thrilled that over the garden girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13284047851881823280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20831949.post-38976339916670593212010-04-08T11:21:28.154-03:002010-04-08T11:21:28.154-03:00Amen to all that, Jodi. Well said.
It is good to...Amen to all that, Jodi. Well said. <br /><br />It is good to look back sometimes, if only to see how far we've come. Occasionally, we get despondent when we consider how high the hill is and how far away the top, but by looking back, we see that we've already climbed halfway up...Susan Tomlinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01532464326705599296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20831949.post-46967744356769831932010-04-07T14:26:01.579-03:002010-04-07T14:26:01.579-03:00What a beautiful post Jodi! Happy Earth Day to yo...What a beautiful post Jodi! Happy Earth Day to you!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03056395799217097118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20831949.post-42276717676082125302010-04-07T11:05:26.325-03:002010-04-07T11:05:26.325-03:00The argument for using chemicals stems mostly from...The argument for using chemicals stems mostly from the belief that we need them to feed all the people in the world, wether we are talking huge acreages of roundup resistant alfalfa to feed the cows or massive fields of soybeans to support the processed food companies. My garden is chemical free. when I go to the grocery store I have to decide wether to buy organic fruit and vegetables from Melanie J Wattshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03265452434129642917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20831949.post-22226498625927351362010-04-07T09:09:44.251-03:002010-04-07T09:09:44.251-03:00Hello Jodi, just the thought of being in that gree...Hello Jodi, just the thought of being in that greenhouse you worked in was enough to make me feel like my breathing was restricted! <br /><br />I'm working on becoming a little bit more sustainable in my garden habits day by day and very much like the 'gently does it approach' to the issue that you describe. The extremist approach would just make me feel inadequate and defensive and Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20831949.post-80414332678261699402010-04-06T23:42:39.518-03:002010-04-06T23:42:39.518-03:00Wonderful, well written and enlightening, Jodi. I ...Wonderful, well written and enlightening, Jodi. I loved reading about your 'gardening beginnings' and what you learned over the years, and how you've arrived at where you are today. I read this earlier today and left you a message on Blotanical. I am so happy that you have contributed! Thank you for your terrific contribution and good luck;-) I hope you are enjoying the spring weatherJanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12844013803699228989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20831949.post-17128376107648614532010-04-06T21:37:42.868-03:002010-04-06T21:37:42.868-03:00Your words serve as a beacon, a reminder, and an i...Your words serve as a beacon, a reminder, and an inspiration. <br />My balance in the garden is to encourage the birds into the garden to feast on seedheads of native flowers....and they enjoy a side dish of each and every insect. If only I could get the birds to leave the catepillars on the parsley alone. :-)Janet, The Queen of Seafordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07876204203323750245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20831949.post-81716966051537528282010-04-06T20:31:55.302-03:002010-04-06T20:31:55.302-03:00Beautifully written post, Jodi. Awareness is most ...Beautifully written post, Jodi. Awareness is most important ... I am a 'daughter of the earth' and have recycled and gardened organically for years, knowing what kills the bad also kills the good (plus, I'm an edible herb/flower gardener). Caring for our public gardens is a task that I often, state my case, but overruled must succumb to the alternative methods. I hand dig weeds, my joeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09569378877717221045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20831949.post-91121837303225143542010-04-06T18:06:16.761-03:002010-04-06T18:06:16.761-03:00Hi, Jodi;
I abandoned all use of chemical fertiliz...Hi, Jodi;<br />I abandoned all use of chemical fertilizers ages ago. But, that's mostly because I've worked in the food industry all of my life. Seeing the dead soil of commercial farm operations is enough to change anyone's mind about the damage caused by a cheaper route to harvest. Good luck with your submission. Very well said! :))Kate/High Altitude Gardeninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06690999267357525527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20831949.post-10842580196511055912010-04-06T16:54:17.202-03:002010-04-06T16:54:17.202-03:00Jodi, This is outstanding! I will definitely star ...Jodi, This is outstanding! I will definitely star it in my Google Reader so that I can come back to it easily; I think it is deserving of several re-readings. <br /><br />While you were raising uncomfortable questions in ag school, I can remember going to a little evening seminar sponsored by the Scott's fertilizer company at my local Agway store. When I got in the first question of the Q&Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20831949.post-80648004729552878332010-04-06T15:15:13.617-03:002010-04-06T15:15:13.617-03:00Hi, Jodi! Lovely history of your sustainable days....Hi, Jodi! Lovely history of your sustainable days. Amazing how things change, isn't it? I also agree that balance is the key, and we must all do our best, wherever we are in life. Great thought-provoking post to reflect on ourselves, our own habits, and impact on our friends, neighbors and environment.Kimberlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18123627573356760362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20831949.post-70736178199530471372010-04-06T14:04:01.533-03:002010-04-06T14:04:01.533-03:00Hi Jodi-
VERY well written article. It really shou...Hi Jodi-<br />VERY well written article. It really should be in a magazine - and posted in the chemical section of every nursery and home building center. <br />My New Year's Resolution was to really pay attention to the amount of plastic that comes into my house and to do everything I can to reduce it and recycle what does make it in. <br />If we all were as good a stewards as you are, this Cenyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14995723033134976164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20831949.post-92032193395487674352010-04-06T13:34:00.326-03:002010-04-06T13:34:00.326-03:00Hello Jodi,
I enjoyed this post very much! Like ...Hello Jodi,<br /><br />I enjoyed this post very much! Like you, glycophosphate is used from time to time in my garden, but that is the only chemical. I think you are right that we keep in mind what effect we have on the environment and then do what we can, within reason, to limit our impact. For example, years ago, I used to spray my roses with the pesticide, Orthene. Now, I just use my Noelle Johnson https://www.blogger.com/profile/12198931083102476324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20831949.post-62329325412827186752010-04-06T13:32:57.994-03:002010-04-06T13:32:57.994-03:00A very well-written post, Jodi. I like how your mi...A very well-written post, Jodi. I like how your mind works, always questioning the "status quo." I think you were ahead of your time and Ms. Carson definitely planted a seed in your bonnet. And that seed has sprouted into a delightful, non-judgmental enthusiasm for the world around you. Kudos to you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20831949.post-31245220110207447442010-04-06T13:06:42.848-03:002010-04-06T13:06:42.848-03:00A wonderful post Jodi, and so eloquently put. The...A wonderful post Jodi, and so eloquently put. The world doesn't need sustainable gardening saints, it just needs all of us to make the best efforts we can to preserve what nature has blessed us with. Perhaps that means changing our ideas of what a beautiful garden is. For me that has been true. It's not manicured pesticide-ridden lawns. For me there is nothing more beautiful than a Curbstone Valley Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06714297348566721344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20831949.post-64895725201296948262010-04-06T12:45:33.170-03:002010-04-06T12:45:33.170-03:00Having been , in my small way, protecting the litt...Having been , in my small way, protecting the little corner of NS soil that is mine, for many years, I'm always eager to learn new methods. On the weekend, I initiated a new approach. I hired a bright 11 yr old to help me shovel compost. He was a great help, & full of questions. When I likened compost to a vitamin pill for plants, he indeed grasped the whole concept of nature nourishing semdpnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20831949.post-29572324321959006982010-04-06T12:35:48.535-03:002010-04-06T12:35:48.535-03:00Canada may be well ahead of the US in environmenta...Canada may be well ahead of the US in environmentally friendly practices. I would estimate that far fewer than 10% of our population is willing to go out of their way or give up their bad habits to live a more responsible life. In spite of all the talk, nobody is practicing what they preach. <br />MarnieRoses and Lilacshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07121676379580186489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20831949.post-33343601355289011102010-04-06T11:38:41.464-03:002010-04-06T11:38:41.464-03:00You've inspired me! Thank you. I have had th...You've inspired me! Thank you. I have had the "blogging blahs" for a while now. Uncertain what to say, and if anyone would even be interested.<br />The funny thing is, the entire planet used to farm organically. <br />I will have to do some research, but if I am correct things began to change around the time of the Industrial Revolution. Combine that with greed and lust for Karahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01681021126113385783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20831949.post-85773432945835992222010-04-06T11:33:54.544-03:002010-04-06T11:33:54.544-03:00Beautifully penned, as always, jodi -- a wonderful...Beautifully penned, as always, jodi -- a wonderful contribution to Jan's Earth Day project.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20831949.post-6197706747125058892010-04-06T09:52:18.954-03:002010-04-06T09:52:18.954-03:00Great post Jodi! I'm the same way - I do every...Great post Jodi! I'm the same way - I do everything I can with as low impact as possible - within reason. I think it's important to keep in mind that not everyone can do everything they tell us to do.Davehttp://www.GrowingTheHomeGarden.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20831949.post-66409051553569468462010-04-06T09:50:03.536-03:002010-04-06T09:50:03.536-03:00Jodi - how wonderful to hear about your history - ...Jodi - how wonderful to hear about your history - and your principles. And for telling me about GBSLEDCelebration! I'll get right to work. We live on 60 Massachusetts acres, more than we were looking for! - and are too busy to do more than care for the acre or so around the house which means Nature has her way with the woods, the pond and most of the fields. Talk about diversity!Commonweederhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10913336590036045901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20831949.post-74933202092894250812010-04-06T09:39:51.438-03:002010-04-06T09:39:51.438-03:00I am not a purist but I sure try to live and let l...I am not a purist but I sure try to live and let live in my garden. You have written a good article here Jodi.Lisa at Greenbowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07743973292900758183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20831949.post-20920133564000930682010-04-06T08:51:34.674-03:002010-04-06T08:51:34.674-03:00Hi Jodi - Your piece is worthy of appearing in any...Hi Jodi - Your piece is worthy of appearing in any magazine - so well written and poignant. Thank you for sharing your story. It makes one think about how important our world is and how we can impact it. Here in our hometown, we cannot use any pesticides on our lawn. Yes, there are weeds, but it's good to know that the water going into our sewer systems is just a bit healthier. It's heather @ what's blooming this weekhttp://www.whatsbloomingthisweek.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20831949.post-44375938168409070082010-04-06T08:40:16.772-03:002010-04-06T08:40:16.772-03:00Wonderful post and so well written. I did not know...Wonderful post and so well written. I did not know of Rachel Carson's book until I began school for horticulture a few years ago. It has since made quite an impression on me, though I am like you; only resorting to glycophosphate in dire consequences. No insecticides. I let the bugs fight it out. The vision of frogs in your pond is a very nice vision.tinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17415302577518111227noreply@blogger.com