Re: Friendly worms or killer worms???

**"Doreen Howard" g*@charter.net**

Jeff Ball wrote:
 In any case, we were musing
> about how it seemed that garden writers tended not to want to get into
> controversial topics; just an opinion of course.  By controversial topics
we
> meant genetic engineering of plants, spreading of invasive species by
> nurseries, phosphorous seepage into lakes and streams from lawn fertlizer,
> evironmental impact of lawn care company's lawn care progrms, etc.

 You make excellent points, Jeff.  Part of the problem is that many
publishers and in turn managing editors will edit out controversial things
like lawn fertilizer polluting groundwater, because their bias is towards
the advertisers who will be offended.  Once a writer gets their hand
slapped, they tend not to do it again.....if they want paying work.  I've
been there and done that.

The following is not meant to be self-aggrandizing.  I write for
publications that pay big bucks, and I write crap.  To save my soul and keep
my ethical center intact, I also write for publications that let me tell the
truth and tell it often.  They don't pay very well, and I still write the
crap to pay the bills.  Call me a sell-out, if you like, but I'm a
pragmatist.

Mother Earth News in the last 24 months has beefed up their gardening
content and increased their circulation.  I write the truth there--about
worms eating your humus, about selling the tiller and planting cover crops,
about rain gardens to prevent toxins leaching into the water table, etc.  We
get out the message.  In fact, I have an article featuring Mary Applehof and
her worm expertise on the calendar for 2004.  Pick up the latest issue and
find an article I did on how 5-star restaurants and supporting and helping
organic growers to prosper.  If gourmet chefs and their customers who pay
$150 for a meal are aware of the impact many gardening practices have on the
environment, I think we as garden writers can find an audience that will
care.

My point is, as writers, if one publication won't let you tell the truth,
look for others.  Eventually, we will create a body of garden knowledge that
is true and environmentally sustainable.  End of my rant for the day.
Doreen Howard

_______________________________________________
gardenwriters mailing list
gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org
http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/gardenwriters

GWL has searchable archives at:
http://www.hort.net/lists/gardenwriters

Send photos for GWL to gwlphotos@hort.net to be posted
at: http://www.hort.net/lists/gwlphotos

Post gardening questions/threads to
"Organic-Gardening" <organic-gardening@lists.ibiblio.org>

For GWL website and Wiki, go to
http://www.ibiblio.org/gardenwriters