The Dirt Doctor visited SE Campus last week to give students tips on protecting and working with organic gardens and plants.

Howard Garrett, a landscape architect, arborist, radio talk show host, columnist for The Dallas Morning News and author of 14 books, spoke March 4 as part of the SE Tree Campus project.

Having a slideshow of pictures with various landscapes of trees and different plants and fungi, Garrett described different ways to grow plants and the needs of those plants. He said several places like golf courses, office buildings and schools have gone into organic programs. He said all five TCC campuses are in the process of going organic.

Garrett also explained the products he uses in the organic program. One, BioWash, is a non-toxic, biodegradable treatment for many common fungi. The product also stimulates root growth and helps protects plants during cold weather.

Soil Mender, another non-toxic product, is an effective way to kill insects, Garrett said.

Garrett said trees are the easiest plant to grow of all. He said the best tree to grow is the Montezuma Cypress, which is native to Mexico.

“Trees are my favorite plant since I was a little kid,” he said.

SE student Brandi Conedera attended the speech because she is interested in the process.

“His speech … gave me some good tips on how to do it since I want to grow an organic garden,” she said. “I like the different things and all the natural stuff you can use.”

— Diana Silva