Environmentally Responsible Gardening Can Be a Hoot

Garden Defense Owls from Easy Gardener are a great way to deter pests without poisons.

There's a lot of talk these days about being environmentally responsible and it's something that many gardeners seek to do. With so many eco-friendly products on the market, it's easier than ever to be a good steward of our earth.

Leave it to Easy Gardener to come up with a very wise way to keep unwanted visitors out of your garden - new Garden Defense Owls. These owls aren't just your plain old plastic birds. The attractive critter deterrents look just like a Great Horned Owl and make great landscape or patio accents.

Often, the mere sight of an owl will frighten away garden pests. The Action Owl uses a wind activated spinning and bobbling head to frighten away garden pests. All it takes is a little breeze to get the head - and unwanted visitors - moving.

The Electric Owl takes it one step further. When an unwelcome visitor arrives, it turns its head toward the invader and shouts a loud "hoot." Electronic sensors activate the battery operated owl (it uses three AA batteries).

The owls are a great way to keep pests out of your yard without using harmful poisons and chemicals. They stand 15 inches tall and can be polemounted, attached to an existing structure or placed on the ground to get a jump on any critters approaching their turf.

Helping to conserve water is another way to be kind to Mother Nature. An easy way to cut back on the amount of watering you do is to line your landscape beds with a good landscape fabric. A great one to try is WeedBlock Landscape Fabric. Gardeners have counted on it for years to control weeds.

Weeds are unattractive and rob plants of water, nutrients and space. WeedBlock Landscape Fabric not only deters weeds, it encourages root growth by keeping soil moist and cool while reducing surface evaporation, meaning you'll have to water less.

The fabric is made of UV-treated polyethylene and features patented "Microfunnels" that allow the free flow of air, water and nutrients to soil while blocking sunlight - and weeds.

The product is ideal for landscape beds and perfect around trees and shrubs. Just lay the landscape fabric down around plants or vegetables and cover it with mulch or stone. WeedBlock can also be used in potted planters. It's a great way to conserve water naturally and keep weeds out without having to use messy and harmful chemicals.

Before you head out to the garden this year, stop by your local gardening center or chain retailer and check out

these wise products that will help you be environmentally responsible.