Gardners everywhere share certain concerns: water, fertilizers, pests.  How they deal with these concerns varies depending on the garden, and the gardener.  From an environmentally responsible standpoint there are ways to deal with each of these concerns.

Water:

Xeriscaping uses native plants that are generally drought-tolerant and pest-resistent.

Mulching increases soil-moisture retention, but be aware that all mulches are not the same.  Cypress swamps are being clear-cut to provide large corporations like Lowe's and Home Depot with stock for their garden-centers.  Look for eucalyptus or melaleuca mulch. (Melaleuca is an invasive species found in the everglades. The mulch is a by-product of the eradication program currently underway.)  Mulching also prevents soil-boring bees from being able to establish nests. With bee populations in crisis, this is a huge concern for all.  Bee are one of nature's top pollenators and essential to food crops.

Fertilizers:

Organic gardeners know that compost is the ultimate fertilizer.  Instead of bagging up raked leaves and grass clippings, turn them into nutrient-rich compost and feed your plants for free. This also prevents dangerous chemical runoff into storm drains and water supplies.  Compost can also be used as a mulch.

Pests:

As mentioned earlier, xeriscaping with native plants provides a measure of protection against pests.  There are also many natural pest-control alternatives available from natural pest predators, like the lady bug and praying mantis, to diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous Earth is the finely ground fossils of prehistoric fresh water diatoms. Kills household and garden pests like cockroaches, ants, slugs, fleas, beetles and many other crawling insects. Works great indoors or out. Insects die within 48 hours of contact.

Check out Planet Natural, an online garden supply store offering organic fertilizers, natural pest control, organic gardening equipment and more.

Happy Gardening!