Earth Day, earth week, has traditionally been linked with the 'tree hugger' and the Hippies. I was born on the tale end of the of the 60's, on September 3rd 1969 to be exact, so I missed the whole hippie "free to be you and me" thing; however I am proud to have 1969 as my birth year and for some crazy reason, every time I watch Forest Gump I feel a strange connection to the free spirited character Jenny. Strange!!

However, I don't think Earth Day is just for tree hugger's anymore. All politics, professors and liberal media aside, I think everyone deep down wants to be a good steward for our planet even without all the news reports of climate change.

I want to do the right thing. I recycle, I try to shop as local as I can, I plant a tree every year, I compost, I try to cut out wasteful car trips, and so forth...and try to teach my kids the same.

I was interviewing a local produce farmer (Jerry Untide) on his property in Montrose, MN and he was telling me how he cares for his land, and cares for the soil. He plants amazing tracts of natural vegetation to preserve his livelihood, the Soil.

It struck me on that warm summer day listening to this gentle man talking about how he practices sustainability; how he farms; that he really cares about what he is doing and believes in giving back to the earth what he takes. I think we should all take a page out of Jerry's book. Oh! And if you like the State Fair sweet corn, that's farmer Jerry Untides sweet corn.

Next time your at your Local garden center, as you get ready to plant your garden there are always little hiccups that require some intervention of some sort. To help you do the right thing, and be a little more Earth Friendly, I have compiled a list of common garden problems and earth friendly products to help you solve the problem...

SLUGS: Pine straw mulch & Diatomaceous Earth.

BUGS AND BEETLES: Box Elder b-gone, Bonide Thuricide, Japanese Beetle traps, Apple maggot Trap, Concern Citrus home pest control.

WEEDS: Concern corn gluten ( there are also lawn fertilizers containing corn gluten) Burn Out weed killer.

Try using these, and by no means are they all approved for organic practices but they defiantly friendlier than other products, so look out for them next time your shopping at your LOCAL FAMILY GARDEN SHOP !