Thursday, October 15, 2009

Truly Green Gardening

By ethiquette.ca Staff

Gardening can be a very enjoyable and therapeutic pass-time but sometimes, the products we choose to maintain lawns and keep pests out of gardens can be tough on the environment. Whether you’re growing vegetables or tending to your houseplants, here are a few ways to make gardening even greener.

To give plants or vegetables a boost and keep unwanted insects away, without using strong chemicals, consider using natural fertilizers and pest control products.

Natural Fertilizers

Several Quebec companies now offer environmentally friendly fertilizers that are nutrient-rich, derived from natural sources and approved for use on organic farms.

You can also create your own fertilizers while reducing your waste output by using an indoor or outdoor composter.

Natural Pest Control

A relatively harmless but effective way to control ants and earwigs, especially inside the home, is to use products that contain diatomaceous earth (tiny crystals of fossilized organisms). These powders can be applied to areas that the insects frequent and will continue to work as long as the powder is present. These pesticides are sold under several brand names in major hardware stores.

For other pests, consider using tried and tested natural methods such as borax powder, dish soap and even Tabasco sauce!

Saving Precious Water

Why waste good drinking water on your plants and your lawn when you can give them some nice unchlorinated rainwater? By placing deep containers at the bottom of your eave pipes, you can harvest dozens of liters of water for your plants after just a couple of rainy days.

For more information, visit http://ethiquette.ca/gardening.

About www.ethiquette.ca : The Responsible Consumer Network ethiquette.ca is an information service which brings responsible product and service choices to Canadian consumers through this website and its monthly electronic newsletter. ethiquette.ca is run as a social enterprise whose mission is to create social value for consumers and marketing value for eligible businesses. We seek to serve the needs of the conscientious consumer looking for options that reduce harm to the environment and help improve social conditions. By the same token, we work to support the innovative businesses that have decided to take the high (and difficult) road towards incorporating a culture of sustainability/responsibility in the marketplace.

Gardening is so exiting activity for me, especially when you know the flowers meaning. Thank you.