Ergonica Twelve-Step Program to Reduce and Eliminate the use of
Toxic Chemicals in your Home Environment
Declare your intent to kick the herbicide habit of using toxic chemicals in your
lawn and garden to 5 friends by e-mail (to document the event). Tell them about the 12
- Step program you are ready to undertake. Ask for advice and
suggestions. If some of your friends or neighbors are ready to
kick the herbicide habit themselves, you can make a pack to do this
together. Moral support, practical guidance and sharing resources,
such as excess plants, materials and special tools, for example, are key
factors for success. Many garden clubs
are also supportive of natural weed control methods. More tips
on sharing with your own
Organic Gardening Sharing Group below.
Debate the pros and cons of using harmful chemicals versus going
organic with two close friends with different points of view. Prepare for your debate by
online research such as in Weeding Tips
and
Weed Twister vs. Roundup. Ask the other debaters to do
some serious research, as well. The debate will help to
strengthen your resolve especially in the face of nay-sayers.
Prepare a list of people and pets who may be at risk of harm by
continuing to use toxic chemicals in your lawn and garden.
Include people and animals who frequently visit your home and
neighbors downwind from your property.
Map out one or two areas of your garden where mulch may be
useful in preventing weed growth. Weed prevention using
natural methods and organic products is the most important part of
your natural weed control program.
Purchase mulch and apply. Get advice for types of mulch
and application tips as needed. See Weeding Tips and Weed Control for other natural
weed prevention and control methods.
Upgrade your selection of weeding tools with more precise tools
(low till), back-saving tools and deep-root pullers and twisters.
Learn more about weeding tool options and the newest weeders in
Weeder Features. Avoid the use of wide-blade hoes that
tend to promote latent weed seeds.
Schedule 15 minutes a day for defensive weeding and begin using
your upgraded weeding tools every day. Avoid going beyond the
scheduled time. Plan for a pattern of clearing different areas
on different days of the week. Once weeds have already been
visibly removed, use this time for weed patrol, pruning, trimming,
cleaning and admiring your beautiful garden.
After your first 30 days of organic weeding methods, assess your
progress and give yourself a pat on the back. Prepare a brief
report on your progress and share it with 5 friends by e-mail.
Include problem areas that may require new techniques. Feel
free to share your First 30 - Day Herbicide Detox Report with
Ergonica, as well, by e-mail to gardenclub1[AT]ergonica.com.
As you begin your 2nd month of chemical-free lawn and garden weed
control, spend another hour or two of additional research on organic
gardening methods appropriate to the current season and your
specific climate region and types of crops and weeds in your garden.
After your first 90 days of organic weeding methods, consider
yourself an herbicide detox success! Prepare a brief report on
your success and share it with 5 friends by e-mail. Feel free to
share your First 90 - Day Herbicide Detox Report with
Ergonica, as well, by e-mail to gardenclub1[AT]ergonica.com.
Celebrate this day by ceremoniously throwing out your old toxic
herbicide containers and drinking a cup of your favorite herb tea.
A tea brewed from leaves or flowers from your own garden will be
your greatest compliment. You can be confident that there will
be no residual toxic substances in your cup. Enjoy a little Weed Poetry
with your tea. Your special friends may appreciate a cup of your
organic tea and a little weed poetry reading, as well. Your garden thanks you!
For each season of the year, adjust your plans for mulching,
planting different crops and ornamentals, and using different
weeding tools
as appropriate. Upgrade your hand tools as needed. Encourage your friends and garden club mates
to learn from your experience. Perhaps your local garden club
is ready to become an
organic garden club, as well? If your entire
neighborhood block also goes organic, less contamination and toxic
fumes will spread your way. Ergonica
congratulates you!
By organizing or joining your own Organic Gardening
Sharing Group, you can save money and share knowledge and materials to detoxify
your lawn and garden more efficiently. Expedite your benefits by taking inventory of items in
possession that members are willing to share, loan, give or trade with one
another. Shared items may be special tools, heavy equipment, plants,
seeds, mulch, landscaping materials, etc. This will help you when preparing a list of items you need to get
from outside sources. The group can save money by purchasing items
in bulk, such as mulch, corn gluten meal or organic fertilizer, for example.
Ergonica also offers
volume discounts, as well. If someone in
the group has a large vehicle or truck, you can trade hauling services for other
goods and services. Some laborious tasks can also be done as a group on an
occasional or seasonal basis (Throw
a Weed Twister Party?). An
organic lawn care service may be hired by several group members for
seasonal care at a negotiated discount rate.
Garden club members may be able
to get a nursery store or hardware retailer to provide a special discount or
even to sponsor your project. Savings can also be realized when renting
heavy equipment that can be shared with several members. Special hand
tools can be purchased by one member and shared with others for testing to see
if they also wish to purchase the same tools themselves. Don't forget to
share your research and personal experiences, as well. Sharing is good for
members and good for the environment, as well, because of less waste and
hopefully fewer cars driving to shop. Online shopping is also economical and
reduces vehicle mileage and pollution. Sharing is also fun! Don't
forget to share the organic fruits of your labor once the toxic traces have
cleared. Share,
socialize and save!
The organic gardener does not need to be a masochist or
super-human. Good planning trumps sweat and tears in the eco-friendly
garden!
12
- Step Herbicide Detoxification Program - Kick the Herbicide
Habit!
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