Periwinkle or vinca border these stone steps and again require no toxic chemicals in order to thrive. Cutting back on the amount of lawn makes organic gardening easy.
			Note the use of pachysandra to break up the monotony of lawn surrounding this house. Ground covers require no pesticides or chemical fertilizers if they are allowed to keep the leaves that fall into them in autumn. Over the winter these leaves decay and provide a healthy natural mulch for the plants.
						May apple and fern abound in New Jersey woodlands. They are native plants that grow easily in New Jersey gardens. These species are not usually seen in suburban landscapes because more exotic plants have become fashionable. However, with declining natural areas in the state (we are over 50% developed, the closest state to us is Massachusetts with 28% development!) the need for natural species has increased. Birds, insects and microorganisms need natural species in order to survive.
	Photos by Alice Roche