As an urban and commercial educational program, Horticulture provides El Paso County residents with the latest research-based information.

We do this by utilizing the mass media, short courses, community volunteers, demonstrations, computer technology and telecommunications to teach Earth Kind practices. We not only deal with gardening, but also with water conservation, recycling and other environmental issues in order to make our community, and world, a little better.

What is Earth Kind?
Earth Kind uses research-proven techniques to provide maximum gardening and landscape enjoyment while preserving and protecting our fragile environment.

What is the objective of Earth Kind?
The objective of Earth Kind is to combine the best of organic and traditional gardening and landscaping principles to create a new horticultural system for the 21st Century, a research-proven system based on real-world effectiveness and environmental responsibility.

What are the goals of Earth Kind?
Reduce the volume of water used in the landscape
Reduce the volume of fertilizers used in the landscape
Reduce the volume of pesticides used in the landscape
Reduce the volume of yard wastes entering landfills

What are the guiding principles of Earth Kind?
Base your horticultural decisions on:

A deep, abiding respect for the environment

The latest scientifically-sound, research-based information

Employ Earth Kind techniques of plant selection and culture to avoid pest problems before they occur

Use pesticides only as a last resort. If a pesticide becomes absolutely necessary, then select the most Earth Kind or environmentally responsible product available

Putting Earth Kind techniques into everyday practice will help your family, your business, your community and your environment. Remember, "Earth Kind to benefit humankind.