 |
|
 
Designed to kill
Designed to kill
Pesticides are equal-opportunity killers. While they may eliminate garden pests, they also kill beneficial soil bacteria, insects, and even wildlife. Killing off these “good” bacteria, worms, and bugs unfortunately leads to a catch-22 situation since gardeners then have to add even more chemical fertilizers and pesticides to replace the jobs these helpful creatures used to do for free! It's easy to forget that lawns and gardens are actually part of local ecosystems. They support a diversity of life in our cities. Plants and trees provide habitat for bugs, birds and small mammals. Flowers provide nectar and pollen that feed insects, bees, birds, and butterflies. Trees provide essential nesting habitat for local birds. And although the total amount of pesticides we use on our gardens may pale in comparison to what is used in agriculture, homeowners tend to use pesticides much more enthusiastically than farmers or grounds keepers. One study conducted in Alberta found that the amount of pesticides applied on gardens and lawns was more than three times the intensity (kilograms of pesticide per hectare) than the amount applied in agriculture and six times the amount applied in city parks. Next page >>> Just say 'grow': getting gardens off chemicals Tell a friend about this newsletter
|
|
