Our backyard exists within the larger world

There are many ways in which we, as individuals in industrialized nations, contribute to the problems of habitat destruction or unhealthy habitats. Here are some ways you personally can create a healthier world through your gardening practices.

Food and garden wastes

Don't let your waste go to waste by throwing it in the garbage or down the disposal! You can compost your kitchen scraps and garden wastes either in a traditional compost pile or bin system -- or let the worms do it!

Check out the books and links for more information on how-to. 

Pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers

Native plantings will be best able to stay healthy without help. How can you expect to have a backyard full of life at the same time you have a backyard full of poison?

Water

There are many ways you can conserve water. Perhaps most important is to use native plantings which are adapted to the conditions of your area. Underground soaker hoses put water just where you need it - at the plants' roots. 

Lawns don't really need to be watered; let them go dormant during a drought. If they are frequently watered, their root systems will be shallow which will lead to being less drought-tolerant, which will lead to needing to be watered more frequently, which will lead to shallow root systems. . . you get the picture. Yet another reason to reduce your lawn area.

And, as you enjoy that cup of coffee out in your backyard habitat...

You probably know that many of our migratory birds spend the winter in Central America, but did you know that the kind of coffee and chocolate you purchase either leads to the further destruction of their winter habitat -- or helps preserve it?

By purchasing shade-grown coffee and chocolate, you'll support the type of coffee production that preserves the rain forest habitat required by our own migratory birds in their winter homes.

For information and resources about shade-grown coffee

In Central New York, Wegmans carries Fair Trade, organic, shade-grown coffee.

The Java Juice coffee shop, 24 W. Main St. in Marcellus, serves Fair Trade, shade grown, organic Sumatra coffee.

And encourage your faith community to participate in this justice issue!