It's soon time to play in the dirt

We had a little taste of spring over the weekend, and then it snowed again. But at least we had that delectable nibble, which was enough to sustain us for the few weeks remaining of winter. 

Planting peas soon. Can't wait!

A few days ago, we picked up some of the seeds for our balcony vegetable garden. We searched out organic, non-GMO seeds and I encourage you to do the same. If we want to avoid GMOs and pesticides, we have to start in our own gardens! Don't be seduced by the cheaper products. It's just not worth it, folks.

I don't have a lot to say on the subject, but I do want to ask those of you growing gardens this year to commit to growing organic ones, free from the dirty hands of Monsanto, Dow, Bayer, and the likes. Let's speak with our wallets this spring and send the message LOUD AND CLEAR to the powers that be. We do not want, nor will we buy, genetically messed with seeds and plants.

While you're at it, make sure your gardening center is not selling plants treated with neonicotinoid pesticides, like the plants at Home Depot and Lowe's. And boycott them if they do!

Oh, and watch which kind of potting soil you use. If it's not organic, you can bet it's loaded with stuff you just don't want in your food. Just a thought...

Enjoy the coming spring and the harvest that will follow,

The Happy Gardener

As spring comes into full bloom, many of us are heading out to the local garden centers to purchase fertilizer, plant food, containers and more. But how many of us stop to consider the dangers in the chemically-laden products we're buying?

There is a safer alternative. The Happy Gardener Inc., a company founded in 2003 by Annette Pelliccio, focuses on eco-friendly gardening and lawn care. Their wide range of products include vegetable-based fertilizers and plant foods, rather than the traditional animal manure-based ones, as well as bird feeders, birdhouses and birdbaths made from recycled plastic milk jugs and soda bottles. They carry handmade specialty items, flower bulbs from the Netherlands, composting bins made from 100% recycled materials, container gardening supplies and more.