American Plant is a dynamic, family owned, independent garden center with deep roots in our community for 80 years. Over the years our goals have evolved into a commitment to promote EarthWise gardening through our staff, customers and community for the health of our environment for future generations.

EarthWise gardening means adopting good gardening practices so plants can flourish naturally, without reliance on chemical pesticides. The use of chemical products in our gardens over the years has destroyed most of the benficial microorganisms, reducing organic matter and creating compact, infertile soils. Gardens dependent on the use of chemicals are more likely to suffer from insects, disease and drought conditions.

Feed the Soil

Feeding the soil may be a new concept to some of you, but you might have heard us talking about this in the stores. To help any particular plant produce its own defense mechanisms to fight off disease and insects, we need to replenish the soil. Over the years/centuries we have killed off many or most of the beneficial soil organisms that plants use to create their own self defense systems. We have done this with repeated applications of chemical (fast releasing) fertilizers and the application of many different types of insecticides, fungicides and herbicides.

American Plant would like our customers to begin to rebuild their soils so that plants can become strong and healthy and insects & disease might be naturally controlled. Established plantings would benefit with the application of humic acids in either spray or granular form. 'Roots', 'Rich Earth' or liquid compost are products that should be used. The use of organic fertilizer will continue the process. Organic fertilizers like 'Plant-tone' not only feed the soil but also do the more traditional job of feeding the particular plants they are used on.

For new plantings the use of a composted soil conditioner mixed with our existing soil gets your plant off on the right foot. Prepare your backfill by mixing 'Bumper Crop' or 'LeafGro' in equal proportions with the existing soil. In the hole, before backfill, you should also add a few handfuls of 'Rich Earth' and/or organic kelp and a packet of 'Soil Moist' Transplant Formula (beneficial microorganism not found in the before mentioned products). Water the planting in well with 'Iron Roots 2' or Neptune's Harvest 'Fish & Seaweed Fertilizer'.

Both established and new plantings will benefit from the addition of earthworms and earthworm castings. They are a great addition to the soil and add to the overall health of the plants. We can begin to restore the earth one square foot at a time, or one yard at a time, or one acre, or one village at a time. Begin to help your plants recreate their own self defense systems.

4 Step Organic Turf Care Program

STEP 1 - March/April

• Apply Limestone
• Apply 'Bradfield Organics Corn Gluten' (if not seeding – if seeding go to Step 3)

STEP 2 - May/June

• Apply 'Safer Grass Stimulator'
• Apply 'Safer Soil Stimulator'

STEP 3 - Late August / Early September

• Apply 'Bradfield Organics Luscious Lawn & Garden fertilizer'
• Apply grass seed
• Cover lightly with 'Chesapeake Green'
• Water lightly for 10-14 days

STEP 4-Late October / Early November

• Apply 'Bradfield Organics Corn Gluten'

Earthwise

It’s hard to believe that six years have passed since we decided to go organic and pull the chemical pesticides from our stores. That decision makes even more sense today as newer organic and natural products become available to replace the more toxic chemical products we used to offer. We've worked hard to educate our staff and customers about the benefits of EarthWise Gardening - sound horticultural practices that reduce the need for pesticides. Our commitment to our staff, our customers and our environment is as strong today as we continue to search for organic and alternative solutions to gardening problems.

~Mitch Baker, Horticulture Specialist

Feed the Soil Products

'Safer Lawn Fertilizer'
8-1-1, organic fertilizer with beneficial microorganisms added.

'Safer Grass Stimulator', all plants benefit from the micro nutrients and trace elements in Kelp. Kelp is also a food source for soil microrganisms.

'Rich Earth' Concentrated Compost Humates in an easy to use dry form for all plants, trees and lawns.

'Safer Soil Stimulator', beneficial microorganisms, proteins, vitamins and sugars.

'Wiggle-Lizer' Earthworm Castings, great source of nutrients, beneficial microorganisms and earthworm eggs.

'Soil Moist' Transplant Formula - formulated to innoculate trees and shrubs at planting time with a blend of beneficial microorganisms, including mycorrhizal and Trichoderma fungi, bacteria, kelp, humic acid, vitamins, natural sugars designed to enhance root development and water holding gel.

'Myco - Stim' - Biological Root and Soil Innoculant. Contains beneficial mycorrhizal fungi and Trichoderma fungi. Mycorrizae colonize the root system offering protection, enhanced development and aid in exchange of nutients. Trichoderma help displace pathogenic fungi that lead to many disease problems.

For additional information on the 'Soil Food Web', visit our stores and talk to our staff. Or, log on to DirtDoctor.com. This web site originates in Texas, so please keep in mind the difference in climate & geography, many conditions will vary from our region. The web site has over 75 links to related topics and their web sites.