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Annuals/bugs in the garden
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Question
Hi, I live in Seaford and I would like to find a way to deal with the pests in my garden in an organic way. Do you have any suggestions?
The New York State Health Dept identifies Seaford as a Prostate Cancer zipcode -- rates 15 to 49 percent higher than expected. Links between incidents of Prostate Cancer and certain pesticides are established; it's figuring out how and why this disease happens to men who are exposed to specific chemicals that they haven't figured out yet.
But why wait?
Fact is, farmers get more Prostate Cancer than any other occupation. Repeat exposure to certain pesticides seems to be the trigger. Sounds like a warning bell to me. Head to the organic trail, and stay there.
There are LOTS of specific things you can do TODAY that will put you on that organic road... and hopefully keep you away from the side effects while your neighbors continue to pollute their air, water and soil with cancer-causing substances. But you have to start somewhere.
Start here:
www.helium.com/items/1028660-ways-to-maintain-healthy-lawns-and-gardens-without-using-harmful-chemicals
which is MY speech on seven 'Ways to maintain healthy lawns and gardens without using harmful chemicals'.
Like the speech says, Landscapes grown without chemicals aren't just safer. They're more beautiful.
That's the truth.
Your followups welcome. Thanks for writing and welcome to the club, neighbor. Peace,
THE LONG ISLAND GARDENER
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Answers by Expert:
Long Island Gardener
Expertise
Decisions, decisions... If you can't make up your mind which Annuals to grow, you're not alone. Problem with your new flowering Annuals flats? I`ve been there, done that. Petunias, Sweet Alyssum, Larkspur, Marine Blue Lobelia -- they all grow here at my house on Garden Street on Long Island, N.Y.. Cutting and Cottage Gardens, Sun and Shade Gardens, White Gardens and Night Gardens, I`ve done them all. Annuals are the perfect summer flower, bursting with color June through fall's first frost. I can`t speak on Cactus or tender Tropical Plants -- they don`t grow outside in my Zone 7. I`m no Farmer, so I cannot guide you on Fruits and Vegetables. But whether it`s an Annual you want to start from seed, mail-order or pick up at your local garden center, I can help you grow amazing blooms this Summer. Yes, together, we can turn your neighbors green with envy.
Experience
I have a lifetime of gardening behind me here on the North Shore of Long Island. While I have degrees in related fields, there's nothing like hands-on work to build real knowledge. I stay on top of current science -- there's a boom in research, and Kingdom Plantae is filled with surprises. By the way, I really do live on Garden Street.
Publications
Gannett newspapers, The New York Times, and hundreds of others - but not on Annuals.
Education/Credentials
B.A., botany; graduate credits in European Intellectual History and Political Science; minor coursework in related fields, docent training at our local botanical gardens (required for volunteers). I'm currently working on an advanced biochemistry degree.
Awards and Honors
I could tell you, but then you'd know who I am.
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