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Show DAILYHERALD Green spring gardening your own is about as green right? On one levels yes. an environmentally responsible gardener this coming spring may mean changing your gardening practices. Using toxic chemicals is out, obviously. Here are a few more hints: If you live in a dry area, try to choose drought-toleran- t plants and flowers to cut down on water use. In wetter areas, install a rain barrel that can help conserve precious water and feed your greenery. Keep away the creatures with organic repellents using natural oils and odors. I Buy plants grown locally instead of paying for plants shipped to your area. Many community gardening groups host spring plant sales. Substitute locally made compost for peat, soils and manure shipped from as far away as Canada. I Need to light your garden path at night? Go for solar lighting that absorbs energy all day for illumination all night. Growing Sunday, April 20, 2008 MakingF'green,rpsicide Scientists turn natural compunds into biopesticides for organic and conventional farming. How a weedkiller is developed: - Scientists gather diseased or dying plants, and samples of soil from areas where plants are expected to grow but don't; in samples, they hope to find unusual microorganisms that In laboratory, scientists culture microorganisms found in soil and analyze chemicals produced A solution prepared from the microorganisms is sprayed on a common weed If solution damages plant, it's a candidate to be developed into a commercial herbicide impair plant growth The team develops ways to make the natural herbicide compounds ensure that the brew is compatible with existing Product must be approved by state and federal pesticide regulators and by the nonprofit Organic Materials Review Institute e, pesticide-sprayin- g equipment and check effectiveness on test fields jnitli!lll! ml J uv SOURCE: Pam Marrone, Marrone Organic Innovations Sharon Okada - MCT I'll! 'I! :. ProvoCsfVVefc';. 1 |