Just say grow: getting gardens off chemicals

 
Chemical conundrum
Designed to kill
Just say 'grow': getting gardens off chemicals
Cities are doin' it for themselves
Way to grow!

Just say 'grow': getting gardens off chemicals

Green spaces can be taken off chemicals through organic gardening, which means avoiding intensive chemical fertilizers and pesticides altogether. Organic gardeners nourish the soil, which helps make plants more productive and encourages beneficial bugs such as ladybugs to fight garden-killing bugs such as aphids.

Organic gardening works best by planting grasses, flowers and shrubs native to your region. Native species have evolved and adapted to local environmental conditions. “Alien” species of plants, on the other hand, often require far more maintenance. Native species help reduce the need for fertilizer, pesticides and extra water. And that’s good news for gardeners, city grounds crews, and all Canadians who enjoy parks and gardens.

Canada is blessed with thousands of species of native plants, making it easy to choose suitable ones for your garden.

• For more on plants native to your region, visit the Evergreen Native Plant database.  
• For more on the benefits of going organic, visit the Toronto Environment Alliance. 
• For more on non-toxic alternatives to pesticides, read Nature Challenge newsletter number five.

Next page >>> Cities are doin' it for themselves

Tell a friend about this newsletter