Local Gardener Creates Eden

Posted On August 1, 2012

A couple of weeks ago I happened to pass by a yard on a back street in Perth-Andover that was bursting with flowers and foliage of all sorts….it had an almost tropical look to it, something we don’t see too often up here in this northern clime.
 
I stopped in to find out who had created this explosion of a glorious garden, and met Cita Green, who graciously told me her story and allowed me to take pictures.
 

Cita moved here from the Philippines some 30 years ago. She bought her current home on Park Street in 1995 and has been turning her yard into a garden paradise ever since.
 

The back yard is filled with all manner of vegetables and flowers as well.
 

Cita recycles everything, and has several compost bins continually working to turn her vegetable refuse back into rich, organic compost.
She never uses commercial pesticides or fertilizers, and only practices organic gardening methods.
 

Although I do not yet have a garden, I began a compost heap some weeks back and have been astounded at how much it has reduced my garbage volume.
All the carrot tops, egg shells, tea bags, coffee and coffee filters and so on that used to go out in plastic garbage bags to fill up our over-burdened land fills is now turning into nourishment for the soil in a secluded corner of my back yard.
 

I do have to say that a few critters seem to find it a tasty buffet, but since it is all vegetable matter it has only attracted a few stray skunks and coons, which always visit our yards anyway.
If you decide to make a compost heap, make sure to never add meat, fish or any bones….these additions will attract rats and other animals you probably don’t want hanging about!
 

Cita grows tobacco plants that she dries and boils into a strong tea that she makes a natural pesticide from. She sprays it directly onto pests such as tent caterpillars and those pesky flea beetles.
I guess nicotine does have some positive uses, eh?
 

Cita comments that we should all be eating more vegetables, especially organically grown produce.
We all know this, of course!
 

The P-A Farmer’s Market has had local organic produce on offer lately, along with free range eggs.
In fact, these are so popular that they sell out early, so if you have your heart set on good, natural eggs get to the market early!
 

And if you have time, swing by Cita’s house on Park Street in Andover to see what one dedicated gardener can do with a small yard in town. It will amaze and inspire you!