Organic gardening takes spotlight in seminar series

Posted April 23, 2010 11:00 pm

If you think organic gardening means growing plants without chemical fertilizers and artificial sprays, think again.

Regular patrons of Pesche's Flowers & Garden Center in Des Plaines are learning there is more to it than steering clear of anything artificial. There is a science to organic gardening, and it leads to a whole lifestyle change, they say.

They kicked off their free series of seminars earlier this month with classes on going back to nature, biotic organic gardening, using native plants in perennial borders and how to collect water in open spaces.

"At Pesche's, we've been pushing organic and natural gardening for at least 15 years," says Chris Pesche, "long before going green was trendy."

However, their efforts intensified last year when the garden center began carrying Dr. Earth products and the organic gardening methods promoted by the company's founder, Milo Lou Shammas.

"This is the future of gardening," Chris Pesche says matter-of-factly, "and it goes way beyond avoiding putting chemicals into your soil."

Shammas himself will be on hand at Pesche's for the next two seminars. The first takes place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 1, when he will describe his pro-biotic fertilizer products and their success in reactivating soil and leading to healthier plants and produce.

The following day, from 8 to 10 a.m. Sunday, May 2, Shammas will be part of a live radio broadcast with Mike Nowak from "The Mike Nowak Show", airing on Chicago's Progressive Talk WCPT 820 AM and 99.9 FM.

Up to 150 people who arrive before 7:30 a.m. will be able to sit in the audience and watch as the broadcast is taped.

"We've seen a real interest in organic products with all of the advancements in high-tech gardening," says Wally Schmidtke, Garden Center manager. "Dr. Earth's products have caught on and become one of our best sellers, in no time at all."

Shammas is a California resident who created the first pro-biotic fertilizer, using seven champion strains of soil microbes and fungi to pump into his pro-biotic "for life" organic formulas.

He now markets the formula in his line of more than 150 products, including fertilizers - both for lawn and gardening - inspect sprays, and potting soils.

However, Shammas believes in more than using natural products. He is just as passionate about linking pro-biotics in the soil with the pro-biotics in the body.

His wisdom quote at the end of his e-mail reads: "The nutrition your fruits and vegetables provide you, is only as good as the nutrition you provide for your soil."

Chris Pesche describes it as a very simple principal, that you will reap all the nutritional benefits from the high quality natural ingredients you sow into your soil.

"It's all about making people aware of organic gardening and its effects on a healthier lifestyle," Pesche says. "It's a whole new way of thinking, but it leads to people taking care of their own health care and thinking actively about healthy living."

In fact, he adds, it really does bear out the age-old adage, that you are what you eat.

Saturday, April 24

10 to 11 a.m.: Native Perennials for the Home Garden - Marlene Frisbie from Hoffie Nursery introduces the home gardener to the use of native plants as a part of their existing perennial border. These tough, drought tolerant, adaptable perennials are becoming essentials in the home garden.

11 a.m. to noon: Shade Gardening, Rain Gardens and Green Roof - Richard Sierra of Hortech, Inc. leads a discussion and answers questions about these topics.

Saturday, May 1

11 a.m.: Dr. Earth Days featuring Milo Shammas - Dr. Earth is some of the best completely Organic Pro Biotic fertilizer on the market today. Shammas makes a one-hour presentation followed by a question-and-answer session.

Sunday, May 2

8 a.m. to noon: Dr. Earth Days featuring Milo Shammas - Shammas will be on the air live from Pesche's with Mike Nowak from "The Mike Nowak Show", on Chicago's Progressive Talk WCPT 820 am and 92.5, 92.7 & 99.9FM. Following "The Mike Nowak Show", "The Mighty House Show" will broadcast live at Pesche's from 10 a.m. to noon. After his show, Mike Nowak will be available in Pesche's Garden Center.

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