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Are You Organic By Neglect?

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker United, Realtor

There are several types of organic gardeners. They range from the anal gardener who must follow an exact method to my favorite, organic by neglect.  Many, many people fall into this catagory and every neighborhood has atleast one house that organic by neglect. You know the house....its always next door to your newest listing or worse... it is your newest listing. What makes it so organic, the owner hasn't touched the yard in the ten years he's owned the house.  My husband who often gives lectures on organics and natural landscaping loves to be funny by starting his lectures with a picture of this house to illustrate the beauty of organic and natural landscaping. A gasp goes over the lecture hall and then he laughs and shows them the real slides.

I fall into the lazy gardener type.  While my yard doesn't look neglected, I won't put out a lot of effort to keep a particular plant in my yard. After all I only get to garden when I'm not selling houses, doing girl scout/ boy scout activities (by the way does anyone want to buy some cookies? Oh sorry I got of track)  and not volunteering at the schools. That doesn't leave a lot of time to tend to the gardens.  So, if a plant is going to live in my garden it has to be able to fend for itself or its history.

 What type of gardener are you?

Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP

LOL.  When I was growing up there was a lady that was the 'organic by neglect' on my street.  She had a garden in her backyard but didn't keep up with it and her tomato plants started creeping out to the front yard...and eventually completely off the property.

I cracked up one day when my mom was taking tomatos from the plants that were 'no longer on her property'   I couldn't believe it!!!!!   Still laugh to this day.  Think I'll call my mom and remind her right now actually.

Jan 18, 2008 01:04 PM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info
I like your philosophy - why force things to grow that don't want to be there.  I like no fuss plants and low maintenance trees.  If it dies from neglect, didn't need it anyway.
Jan 18, 2008 08:50 PM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!
Hi Mary, I will be thinking this year of landscaping ideas that require less care, much like the organic "weeds" that spring up each year! I think far too much energy can be wasted in lawns and landscaping! I like Georgina's comment!
Jan 19, 2008 01:17 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital
Mary, I consider dandelions to be perennials, much to my neighbor's chagrin!
Jan 20, 2008 11:18 AM
Mary Bowen
Coldwell Banker United, Realtor - The Woodlands, TX
Real Estate At Its Finest!!!
Patricia, LOL Your too funny.
Jan 20, 2008 11:20 AM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!
LOL! Patricia made me laugh also! There is a place north of me called "Dandelion Acres." Believe me, it is! My mother in law used to make dandelion greens back in the day!
Jan 21, 2008 09:53 AM