Howard Garrett
Encyclopedia
Howard Garrett, known as "the Dirt Doctor" (born 1947) is a controversial radio talk show
host and a leader of the Organic movement
. He is a landscape architect
, health activist, arborist
, newspaper columnist and organic activist living in Dallas, Texas
. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Park Administration and Landscape Architecture from Texas Tech University
in 1969. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Garrett worked at Club Corporation of America where he was a laborer and assistant golf course superintendent.
Garrett promotes natural organic programs and products. He opposes the use of toxic chemicals in lawn products and pest control, as well as criticizing some organic products that he believes do not work. He thinks that homeowners, nurseries and landscape companies under-estimate the dangers of non-organic solutions, and consults with commercial properties wanting to convert to organic techniques.
He has written about the plant-derived insecticide Pyrethrum, which is made from the painted daisy (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium or Chrysanthemum coccineum that contain pyrethrin organic compounds which are potent natural insecticides.) One of the common extra ingredients is PBO
, which is a synthetic synergist that gives the basic insecticide more killing power. Garrett agrees with the viewpoint of the Journal of Pesticide Reform, which says that in laboratory tests, insecticides made from pyrethrum have: caused tumors in animals; increased the risk of leukemia; disrupted the normal function of sex steroid
s; and triggered allergic reactions including heart attack and asthma.
Texas A&M plant expert Dr. Steven W. George, an associate professor and horticulturist in A&M's Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Dallas, and Dallas radio garden show host Neil Sperry
have been tough critics of Garrett's organic approach.
Garrett has been the topic in numerous magazines and articles.
Garrett runs a website giving information about his approach, and sends out a weekly newsletter to an audience of over 85,000.
The Dirt Doctor’s Guide to Organic Gardening 1995
Plants of the Metroplex (Revised) April 1998
Texas Bug Book March 1999
Texas Herb Book January 2001
Plants for Houston and the Gulf Coast March 2008
Howard Garrett’s Texas Organic Gardening June 1998
Organic Vegetable & Edible Landscaping October 1998
Texas Tree Book October 2002
Organic Manual' January, 2002
Organic Manual (new and revised) March 2008
Texas Organic Gardening Book
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
host and a leader of the Organic movement
Organic movement
The organic movement broadly refers to the organizations and individuals involved worldwide in the promotion of organic farming, which is a more sustainable mode of agriculture...
. He is a landscape architect
Landscape architect
A landscape architect is a person involved in the planning, design and sometimes direction of a landscape, garden, or distinct space. The professional practice is known as landscape architecture....
, health activist, arborist
Arborist
An arborist, or arboriculturist, is a professional in the practice of arboriculture, which is the cultivation, management, and study of individual trees, shrubs, vines, and other perennial woody plants...
, newspaper columnist and organic activist living in Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Park Administration and Landscape Architecture from Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University, often referred to as Texas Tech or TTU, is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas, United States. Established on February 10, 1923, and originally known as Texas Technological College, it is the leading institution of the Texas Tech University System and has the...
in 1969. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Garrett worked at Club Corporation of America where he was a laborer and assistant golf course superintendent.
Garrett promotes natural organic programs and products. He opposes the use of toxic chemicals in lawn products and pest control, as well as criticizing some organic products that he believes do not work. He thinks that homeowners, nurseries and landscape companies under-estimate the dangers of non-organic solutions, and consults with commercial properties wanting to convert to organic techniques.
He has written about the plant-derived insecticide Pyrethrum, which is made from the painted daisy (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium or Chrysanthemum coccineum that contain pyrethrin organic compounds which are potent natural insecticides.) One of the common extra ingredients is PBO
Piperonyl butoxide
Piperonyl butoxide is an organic compound used as pesticide synergist, especially for pyrethroids and rotenone. It does not by itself have pesticidal properties. However, when added to insecticide mixtures, typically pyrethrin, pyrethroid, and carbamate insecticides, their potency is increased...
, which is a synthetic synergist that gives the basic insecticide more killing power. Garrett agrees with the viewpoint of the Journal of Pesticide Reform, which says that in laboratory tests, insecticides made from pyrethrum have: caused tumors in animals; increased the risk of leukemia; disrupted the normal function of sex steroid
Sex steroid
Sex steroids, also known as gonadal steroids, are steroid hormones that interact with vertebrate androgen or estrogen receptors. Their effects are mediated by slow genomic mechanisms through nuclear receptors as well as by fast nongenomic mechanisms through membrane-associated receptors and...
s; and triggered allergic reactions including heart attack and asthma.
Texas A&M plant expert Dr. Steven W. George, an associate professor and horticulturist in A&M's Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Dallas, and Dallas radio garden show host Neil Sperry
Neil Sperry
Neil Sperry is a Texas gardening and horticulture expert known for his books, magazine, radio program, and annual gardening show. Sperry was born and raised in College Station, Texas where he graduated A&M Consolidated High School as Salutatorian and Student Body President. He attended Texas A&M...
have been tough critics of Garrett's organic approach.
Garrett has been the topic in numerous magazines and articles.
Garrett runs a website giving information about his approach, and sends out a weekly newsletter to an audience of over 85,000.
Bio
Howard Garrett- Landscape Architect
- Member American Society of Landscape Architects – ASLA
- Arborist - International Society of ArboricultureInternational Society of ArboricultureThe International Society of Arboriculture is an international non-profit organization headquartered in Champaign, Illinois USA. Its mission statement: "Through research, technology, and education promote the professional practice of arboriculture and foster a greater public awareness of the...
– ISA. - Nationally syndicated radio talk show host — Salem Radio Network,
- Columnist for the Dallas Morning News - Organic Answers,
- Author of 14 books
- Chairman of Texas Organic Research Center (TORC) a 501(c)3 corporation,
- Member of the Organic Advisory Board Texas Department of Agriculture
Books by Howard Garrett
- University of Texas Press
The Dirt Doctor’s Guide to Organic Gardening 1995
Plants of the Metroplex (Revised) April 1998
Texas Bug Book March 1999
Texas Herb Book January 2001
Plants for Houston and the Gulf Coast March 2008
- Taylor Trade Publishing
Howard Garrett’s Texas Organic Gardening June 1998
Organic Vegetable & Edible Landscaping October 1998
Texas Tree Book October 2002
- Tapestry Press
Organic Manual' January, 2002
Organic Manual (new and revised) March 2008
- Gulf Publishing
Texas Organic Gardening Book