Additional Resources
WHY use ORGANIC fertilizers & amendment?
Organic material feeds the soil microbiome which leads to improved soil structure & drainage [+] improved soil carbon retention. Organic fertilizers are derived from natural sources (e.g., livestock and poultry excreta, plant residues, biogas residue, and agricultural by-products) and their use is broadly beneficial to the ecosystem in your garden. Synthetic fertilizers are manufactured from minerals, natural gas & inorganic waste. Prolonged use can destroy entire populations of essential soil microbes, degrade soil structure, and contaminate groundwater.
WHY use ELECTRIC or BATTERY-POWERED garden equipment vs gasoline?
Crude 2-stroke gas engines are a source of heat-trapping green-house gasses. The exhaust contains smog-forming hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide & particulate matter. Their use poses multiple health risks to operator, including asthma, cardiovascular disease, and hearing loss.
Additional Resources
MORE INFORMATION
UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program https://ipm.ucanr.edu/index.html
California Native Plant Society https://www.cnps-scv.org/
California Invasive Plants Council https://www.cal-ipc.org/
UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara https://mgsantaclara.ucanr.edu/
UC Master Gardeners of San Mateo & SF https://smsf-mastergardeners.ucanr.edu/
Native Oaks https://oaks.cnr.berkeley.edu/
World Flora Online http://www.worldfloraonline.org/
Kew Science https://www.kew.org/science
Plant societies https://ahsgardening.org/gardening-resources/societies-clubs-organizations/
Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation https://xerces.org/blog/leave-the-leaves