10 ways to celebrate Earth Day in the gardenby Tara Nolan |
Today the media will be focused on Earth Day and the multitude of events happening across the country to bring awareness to environmental issues. Check out the Earth Day Canada site for a list of events happening in your community.
Now when it comes to your garden, I think every day should be Earth Day. I’m definitely trying to think green throughout my yard. My rain barrel collects lots of useful water, my seeds this year are all heirloom, organic varieties and I don’t use toxic chemicals to eliminate pests or weeds.
I know this sounds so cliché, but even small steps can make a big difference. Here are some ways you can go “green” in your yard.
1. Support the ban on cosmetic pesticides. Just in time for Earth Day, Ontario will be the second province to ban more than 250 chemical pesticide products (Quebec was the first). Encourage the decision makers in your province to follow suit!
2. Hook up a rain barrel. This is such an easy way to conserve water and there are lots of nice-looking barrels on the market these days.
3. Explore organic ways to fertilize your garden. Learn how to nurture your garden naturally with this excerpt from Marjorie Harris’ new book, Ecological Gardening.
4. Learn how to make your own compost. This is so cool—you can literally make your own dirt. This is one of my resolutions as my composter currently has nothing but old sod in it.
5. Attract bees to your yard. Bees are essential to the very survival of our plants. Lure them in with bee-friendly flowers and this neat little home.
6. Determine how eco-friendly your garden is. See you’re your garden and gardening practices rate on an enviro-friendly scale.
7. Return plastic plant pots. Sadly, most Blue Box programs do not recycle your plant pots. However if you purchase your flowers from a President’s Choice garden centre, they will take back your pots to recycle them. Plus, if you return 25 pots or flats, you will receive a coupon for $5 off a garden purchase of $50 or more.
8. Wean your lawn off chemicals. There are plenty of options on the market now to replace all those lawn chemicals of yore. But wouldn’t it be nice to stop worrying about that elusive, immaculate square of land and fill it with something fun instead?
9. Experiment with native plants. Choose plants that are native to your area that can easily adapt to the conditions of your garden.
10. Replace old garden gear with new eco options. If you’re in the market for some new tools and garden paraphernalia, test drive one of these “green” toys.
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Intead of buying a plastic pot and return it to the store for a credit why don t we just buy containers made of recycled materials Such as planters made of polyresin .Under each planters you have a sign (from 1 to 6).Just buy the one that can be recycle in your community.In my place we purchase the type 3 from a local dealer.They have an online shop named Cogeadesigns
good luck
That’s a great tip!
Hello Tara,
I actually recycle all my fertilizer containers to plant seedlings or flowers. All I do is to make a hole and use the lid to catch the water underneath!
Isn’t that neat?
~ Gabriela ~
That’s such a fabulous idea! I’ve been saving those plastic salad containers hoping I can put them to use somehow in my garden!
you can try a vinegar herbicide, like ecosense. http://www.ecoval.ca has some good products