Marvin Duren, owner of Marvin's Organic Gardens on U.S. 42 in Lebanon, with one of his favorite plants, a variegated aralia, also called “devil's walking stick.” (Dick Swaim photo) | ZOOM |

        A huge glass house has been under construction this spring between Mason and Lebanon on a section of U.S. 42 that still feels like country. The “house” reflects one man's high-tech venture into an important aspect of nouveau gardening. Soon it will be filled with plants and the products to support the growing interest in organic gardening.

        After years of owning regional Waffle House restaurants, Marvin Duren is pouring his energy into his passion: plants. Marvin's Organic Gardens opened this spring on a parking lot decorated with tables of hardy plants and a cluster of hoop houses to shelter delicate plants.

IF YOU GO

What: Marvin's Organic Gardens, selling organically grown plants and organic garden supplies.     Where: 2055 U.S. 42, Lebanon.     When: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1-6 p.m. Sunday.     Phone: (513) 932-3319     Miscellaneous: Special grand opening events next weekend will include talks by owner Marvin Duren: Organic Gardening and Lawn Care, 10 a.m. next Saturday; ,Developing a Bird Habitat, 2 p.m. next Saturday; Composting and Its Many Uses, 2 p.m. June 24.

ORGANIC GARDENING

• Grailville is converting its landscaping to native perennials, grasses and shrubs, and expanding its organic gardening efforts. By mid-summer, organic produce and honey will be available at the Grailville farm market, 932 O'Bannonville Road, Loveland; 683-2340; grailville@fuse.net.     • Gardens Alive! of Lawrenceburg manufactures responsible products for home, garden and pets. www.GardensAlive.com.     • Ohio Ecological Food and Farming Association has established guidelines for organic farming. P.O. Box 82234, Columbus, OH 43202; (614) 421-2022; www.oeffa.org.     • Rodale Publications has 60 years of experience in growing food without chemical herbicides and pesticides. Information: 33 E. Minor St., Emmaus, PA 18098-0099; (800) 848-4735; www.rodale.com

        Mr. Duren is committed to helping people understand the importance of their gardening decisions. Spraying pesticides kills bad bugs, but it kills good bugs, too, and it likely affects birds, pets and humans. Improper use of fertilizers can kill or damage plants, and cause an imbalance of nutrients available to plants.

        There are ways to reduce or eliminate dependence on commercial chemical products, many of which are simple and inexpensive. Sometimes it is simply a matter of putting the right plants in the right places, composting and encouraging natural predators, such as birds, ladybugs and praying mantises, which eat bad bugs.

        Mr. Duren has invested heavily in his project. Ten acres of the 65-acre farm (formerly owned by the Shillito family) will be developed for retail sales. The remaining nursery acreage will be tended using strict organic standards. A complex recirculating water system, designed with natural filtration elements, captures water runoff and holds it in retention basins until needed for watering plants during periods of drought.

        Although Marvin's Organic Gardens is in its adolescence, its selection of plants and the knowledge of its staff are exceptional. Mr. Duren's three children are involved in the venture; the manager is Chris Mulford.

        Unusual shrubs and perennials make a stroll through the garden center a delight. Although business hours are limited, many exciting plans are in the works, including the opening later this summer of the 3/4-acre glass house — the greenhouse — complete with heated floor.
       

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