Organic Vegetable Gardeners Alert РFuture of Earth-Kind® Plants

The Earth-Kind® program began in the 1990s under the direction of Texas county agricultural agents Drs. Steve George and Steve Chaney. The initial program involved years of testing of rose cultivars to find ones that survived and thrived under difficult growing conditions with limited supplemental water and no fertilizer, chemical treatment or extra care. They succeed beyond even their expectations and as of 2010, 21 rose cultivars are certified as Earth-Kind including the popular Knockout Rose.

What is Earth-Kind® Growing?

Organic gardeners believe that the healthiest vegetable gardens use no synthetic chemicals or pesticides. They disagree with the growing methods of many large commercial growers that routinely apply tons of chemicals to their crops that can end up in the water supply and kill beneficial insects as well as harmful ones. Although not purely organic in its basic philosophy, Earth-Kind landscape practices support natural and sustainable growing using mulch, compost, and appropriate varietal selection. Principles, practices, and recommended varieties fit well into organic gardening beliefs.

The Earth-Kind way of growing relies on research-proven techniques to produce healthy crops while protecting the environment. Because much of Texas has limited fresh water and low annual rainfall, the program emphasizes water conservation. Soil is amended with natural compost rather than fertilizer with 2 to 3 inches of mulch applied around all plants to retain moisture and mediate soil temperature. The program recommends raised beds for small gardens and limited tilling in larger ones.

Earth-Kind growers select plants varieties that have been extensively tested for pest and disease resistance and tolerance for challenging growing conditions such as extreme, extended summer heat. The program also recommends reducing contributions to landfills by using a mulching mower and not bagging grass cuttings and composting organic materials from the kitchen and office to add to gardens and landscape beds.

Plans for the Earth-Kind® Program

The Earth-Kind Rose program required 8 to 10 years of field-testing to find the best candidates for certification. Today, potential Earth-Kind rose testing expanded to 27 states and 4 foreign countries. For vegetable gardeners, the exciting news from the Earth-Kind program is the intention to expand testing and certification to shrubs, perennials, and vegetables. According to Dr. Chaney, candidate selection and testing in Texas will be as rigorous as the earth-Kind rose testing, but will take fewer years to complete the certification process.

Organic and traditional gardens benefit from applying the Earth-Kind landscaping practices and selecting plants that achieve Earth-Kind certification.

Resources: Earth-Kind publications