Green GardeningGreen Gardening

Kathy Becklin R(S)Kathy Becklin R(S)Founder, Grow Some GoodFounder, Grow Some Good

Educational School Gardens on MauiEducational School Gardens on Maui

What is Green What is Green Gardening? Gardening?

Definition: Garden - NounDefinition: Garden - Noun1.1. a a plot of groundplot of ground, ,

usually near a house, usually near a house, where flowers, shrubs, where flowers, shrubs, vegetables, fruits, or vegetables, fruits, or herbs are cultivated. herbs are cultivated.

2.2. a piece of ground or a piece of ground or other space, commonly other space, commonly with ornamental plants, with ornamental plants, trees, etc., used as a trees, etc., used as a park or other public park or other public recreation area: a public recreation area: a public garden. garden.

3.3. a a fertile and fertile and delightfuldelightful spot or spot or region. region.

Kathy’s Definition Green Gardening: Kathy’s Definition Green Gardening: Verb: To provide community needs Verb: To provide community needs

while making the natural while making the natural environment better for future environment better for future generationsgenerations FoodFood BeautyBeauty Culture / TraditionCulture / Tradition Shade / Cover / Material Shade / Cover / Material

Terms to understandTerms to understand OrganicOrganic SustainableSustainable PermaculturePermaculture Xeriscaping

What Does Your Client Want?What Does Your Client Want?

Live off the landLive off the land Chickens and BeesChickens and Bees Organic land / bedsOrganic land / beds Rich soil / garden bedsRich soil / garden beds Tropical fruit treesTropical fruit trees Tropical oasisTropical oasis Lush and perfectly manicured by Lush and perfectly manicured by

someone elsesomeone else

High Green-Focus

Low Green-Focus

Could you sell this Could you sell this House?House?

Could you sell this Could you sell this House?House?

www.facebook.com/GrowFoodNotLawns

Lawns consume resources. Be a producer, not a consumer.

The BasicsThe Basics

Building Good SoilBuilding Good Soil Minimize Use of Pesticides/HerbicidesMinimize Use of Pesticides/Herbicides Use Organic Fertilizers and AmendmentsUse Organic Fertilizers and Amendments Appropriate Water UseAppropriate Water Use Plant SelectionPlant Selection = Easy Maintenance= Easy Maintenance

Good Soil = minimal problemsGood Soil = minimal problems

Great Soil = Healthy PlantsGreat Soil = Healthy Plants Healthy plants survive white flies, Healthy plants survive white flies,

cabbage moths, nematodes, powdery cabbage moths, nematodes, powdery mildew, aphids and hundreds of others. mildew, aphids and hundreds of others.

Lots of mulch and compostLots of mulch and compost Millions of living organisms in soil Millions of living organisms in soil Don’t treat your Soil like Dirt! Don’t treat your Soil like Dirt!

TIPS: Get your soil tested at CTAHR for about $20. Makes a great closing gift!

Pesticides and HerbicidesPesticides and Herbicides Pesticides kill bugs – good Pesticides kill bugs – good

and badand bad Read and follow the labelRead and follow the label Knowing your problem is keyKnowing your problem is key

Herbicides kill plants – good Herbicides kill plants – good and badand bad Easy solution is never good long Easy solution is never good long

term (i.e. Weed and Feed) term (i.e. Weed and Feed)

Organic and natural pesticidesOrganic and natural pesticides Better but still use cautionBetter but still use caution

Tip: If in doubt, don’t use it or hire a professional

Fertilizers & Fertilizers & AmendmentsAmendments All plants need foodAll plants need food

Slow and natural is the bestSlow and natural is the best Compost Pile Compost Pile

3 browns, 1 green + water3 browns, 1 green + water Mulch to reduce water use and weedsMulch to reduce water use and weeds Fertilizer N-P-K (i.e. 6-5-5) Fertilizer N-P-K (i.e. 6-5-5)

Nitrogen – makes green / leaves & stemsNitrogen – makes green / leaves & stems Phosphorus – develop roots/flowersPhosphorus – develop roots/flowers Potassium – overall healthPotassium – overall health Organic fertilizers much lower numbers Organic fertilizers much lower numbers

but longer term effectsbut longer term effects Most non-organic fertilizers are Most non-organic fertilizers are

petroleum basedpetroleum based Crop rotation – Legumes add nitrogen Crop rotation – Legumes add nitrogen

that most plants use! that most plants use!

TIPS: Stir compost once a week – scares critters away and provides better aeration. The bigger diameter – the more breakdown!

Appropriate Water UseAppropriate Water Use Planned planting – put plants Planned planting – put plants

with similar water needs with similar water needs togethertogether

After plants established, water After plants established, water deep and less frequentlydeep and less frequently

Drip IrrigationDrip Irrigation Rain GardensRain Gardens Gray Water SystemsGray Water Systems

TIPS: Drip systems use much less water and minimize weeds.

Sprinkle in the morning when wind is low and moisture can evaporate through the day.

Selecting PlantsSelecting Plants A plan is worth a thousand plantsA plan is worth a thousand plants NativeNative plants require less water, less pruning plants require less water, less pruning

and have fewer problemsand have fewer problems Many plants require little or no water after Many plants require little or no water after

established. Bougainvillea and most succulentsestablished. Bougainvillea and most succulents Floral plants are not only beautiful – they attract Floral plants are not only beautiful – they attract

bees and other pollinatorsbees and other pollinators Need a lawn? Seashore Paspalum grass is salt-Need a lawn? Seashore Paspalum grass is salt-

tolerant. HINT -- Most weeds are nottolerant. HINT -- Most weeds are notTIPS: Grow from seed where possible. Select the smallest plant They have higher survival rates and in a year will be same size.

Easy MaintenanceEasy Maintenance

Don’t overwaterDon’t overwater Remove or Remove or

minimize the minimize the lawnlawn

Compost – no hauling Compost – no hauling Mulch – reduce water and weedsMulch – reduce water and weeds Leave Room – Overcrowded means Leave Room – Overcrowded means

more work more work

TIPS: A small grassy area or path has as much impact as a sea of grass.

Why is Hawaii Unique? Why is Hawaii Unique?

Micro-climate zonesMicro-climate zones Highest number of soil types in very Highest number of soil types in very

small areasmall area Many endangered endemic species – Many endangered endemic species –

both plants and animalsboth plants and animals Long Growing Season – but still uniqueLong Growing Season – but still unique

TIPS: Use observation not traditional seasons. What area gets the most the sun in winter vs. summer?

Beyond The GardenBeyond The Garden

Gas Permeable surfacesGas Permeable surfaces Smaller lots / living spacesSmaller lots / living spaces Community gardens / orchardsCommunity gardens / orchards Artificial turfArtificial turf Tools – Hand, solar-powered, electric, Tools – Hand, solar-powered, electric,

gasgas

Resources Resources

Maui County Landscape and Gardening Handbook Maui County Landscape and Gardening Handbook http://www.co.maui.hi.us/documents/22/90/Handbook%20Publication.PDFhttp://www.co.maui.hi.us/documents/22/90/Handbook%20Publication.PDF

UH – CTHAR - College of Tropical Agriculture and UH – CTHAR - College of Tropical Agriculture and Human ResourcesHuman Resources Extension: Maui Master GardenersExtension: Maui Master Gardeners Hotline: 808-244-3242, ext. 228Hotline: 808-244-3242, ext. 228

Email: Email: MauiMg@ctahr.hawaii.eduMauiMg@ctahr.hawaii.edu Grow Some Good – Work & Learn DaysGrow Some Good – Work & Learn Days

22ndnd Saturdays at Kihei Elementary. Sign up for newsletter at Saturdays at Kihei Elementary. Sign up for newsletter at GrowSomeGood.orgGrowSomeGood.org

Maui Association of Landscape Professionals Maui Association of Landscape Professionals http://www.malp.org/http://www.malp.org/

Web – Ask Dr. GoogleWeb – Ask Dr. Google

TIPS: When searching, always add Hawaii (i.e. xeriscape Hawaii)