Did you know that gardening is a form of activism? When you work directly with nature it connects you in ways that you may not have been connected to it in the past. Learning how to garden means that you are learning skills required to sustain yourself regardless of the economic market, you are maintaining areas of your home for animals and insects alike, and you are directly supporting nature. The closer you are to nature, the more you recognize the need for humans to return to their roots.
So, if you love gardening and the environment, and want to make a statement with your garden, this blog is for you!
Peat is a non-renewable resource that is heavily used in the horticultural industry. Peat bogs are a major carbon sink, and when peat is extracted it releases carbon into the atmosphere. Not only is it releasing dangerous emissions into the atmosphere, but it’s destroying the habitat of many insects, birds and animals. Removing peat from your gardening practices will make you more environmentally conscious.
The main place that peat is found is in bagged soil and other soil blends. This includes seed starting mixes as well as potting mixes. The other common place to find peat is in biodegradable pots or pucks that you use to start seeds.
In addition to avoiding peat based products, purchasing from companies that offer alternatives lets them know that you appreciate their products. You can even email the company to let them know you appreciate their products. Also consider emailing your favourite companies that don’t offer alternatives to let them know that you no longer want peat in their products.
Pesticides on your lawn or garden are harmful to insects, your health and your soil. Many chemicals labelled as safe, often are not. For example, BT and Neem oil are common in the organic garden however there is anecdotal evidence that neem oil actually harms bees, while BT harms more then just “bad” insects, but will also hurt butterflies in their caterpillar form. Instead of using chemicals, learn about the insect life cycles to help you fight garden pests.
Removing the idea of the “perfect lawn” from your mindset will help you become comfortable with a mixture of plants in your lawn. This will stop you from feeling like you need pesticides when you understand that a naturalized lawn provides food and shelter for beneficial insects that will help your garden grow stronger.
Plastic is pervasive in our world, which means it’s nearly impossible to avoid. However, we can work to reduce its use in the garden. A lot of the common garden items made from plastic include pots, trays, and tools, often used for seed starting. Options to replace these include; toilet paper rolls, newspaper pots, soil blocking, wood trays and tools that are made of wood and metal.
As exciting as seed catalogues are, they have an environmental cost to them. To produce and receive a catalogue includes; cutting down trees, creating paper products, coating the paper, covering them in ink, and then mailing them to you. The resources used to print and mail these catalogues has a negative environmental impact. Plus you’re being sucked into buying seeds from only one or two suppliers.
When you purchase online, your options are much wider since you can choose from any company, whether they have a catalogue or not. By buying online, it also allows you the opportunity to do your research on who ethically sources their seeds. A little known fact is that many seed companies use seeds from around the world which is contributing further to global emissions.
And I’m sure you’ve noticed this, but print catalogues are known to produce more sales. As gardeners, we treat seed catalogues like the Sears Christmas Wish Book and often get swept up and buy seeds we probably don’t need.
The answer? Switch to digital catalogues – it will save both the environment, and your wallet.
There is a good chance that you have local companies to sell you seeds, seedlings and garden products. The best is if you can find local seed companies that grow their own seeds or source them in Canada, as these seeds are better suited to our climate.
Next, instead of supporting big box corporations, find plant seedlings from neighbours, local sales, or from farmers. These plants will have received better care than plants that are sold at large garden centres, and will likely do better in your garden. Buying from local gardeners or farmers will do well for you since these varieties do well for the farmers that you bought them from.
Invest in quality garden supplies from local companies, and avoid getting products from dollar stores or other companies where the lifespan of the product is limited.
Collecting rainwater helps reduce the pressure on municipalities. Rain barrels come in multiple sizes and are generally filled from the gutters and downspouts off your roof. Collecting rain is free to do, lowers your water bill and also gives your plants water that is filled with nutrients that don’t exist in your tap water.
If you garden in an area without a home to collect water from (like an allotment or garden plot), place a garbage can on cinder blocks, flip the lid upside down and drill holes in it to collect rainwater. Bonus points if you can find a can used – vs buying new.
Rain barrels can be purchased off Facebook marketplace or at rainbarrel.ca. The most important factor is to make sure that they are food safe when purchasing used containers.
Lawns are a biodiversity desert. It’s where insect dreams go to die. Instead of making insects suffer, remove your grass and grow native plants. Not only does it support bees and butterflies (along with a large assortment of other insects), it looks beautiful.
Whatever you do, please do not use artificial turf! Find native plants for your area that support your needs because I guarantee there is a plant for what you need. Once we start installing artificial turf, what comes next? Blow up palm trees? If lawns are where insect dreams go to die, then artificial turf is where insects go to die.
This is a reminder that insects and animals don’t understand property lines. They were here long before we moved in and built that fence! Therefore, when building your garden it’s important to keep this in mind and create a garden that supports the insects and animals.
Ways to support insects and animals in your garden include leaving out water that animals can access, and shallow water for insects to access. Placing water in multiple, protected places allows all visitors to safely grab a drink without drowning, and allows them to bathe.
As hybrid flowers become more common, it’s important to recognize that not all varieties are accessible to insects. For example, flowers that are “doubles” generally have little to no pollen when compared to their single counterparts. Examples of plants that have doubles and singles include cosmos, hollyhocks and dahlias. Planting native flowers will avoid this altogether, while also supportying your native insects.
Finally, include bug, bird and bat houses to your property to bring in more biodiversity.
There are many organizations in Canada that will certify your garden. From a wildlife-friendly habitat to a monarch waystation, the options are endless. To get certified, you must decide which type you want, and apply on their website! Once approved, you pay to get a plaque sent to you to display in your garden.
What we love about these certifications is that it stops people while out on their walk to read the sign. It brings awareness to your neighbours about the need for pollinator friendly gardens.
A couple of options to choose from include the Canadian Wildlife Federation, Xerces Society and Certified Wildlife Habitat.
Many municipalities have outdated laws that harm the climate and biodiversity. Check your local by-laws and petition your city to review and change them. You can also look for local organizations in the city who might also be working on changing the by-laws and partner with them.
Common, outdated by-laws include; a lawn must stay below a certain height (eliminating any chance for a wildlife/pollinator front lawn), food cannot be grown on front lawns, boulevards cannot be used to grow food or flowers.
The last by-law is understandable from a height perspective, as you don’t want to obstruct the view for drivers, however if they have by-laws for the height of grass, then it’s possible to limit the height of boulevard gardening!
You don’t have to do EVERYTHING that is on this list, and you certainly don’t have to do it right away. However, taking the steps above can help you care for nature more fully, lessen your footprint, and help change the industry, one step at a time.
We appreciate you being here, reading this article and learning more about caring for Mother Earth!
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