Ecological gardening: for an eco-friendly garden

Harmful to the environment, biodiversity, and human health, it’s no surprise here that pesticides (including herbicides and insecticides) are sworn enemies of any eco-responsible gardener.

But what other solution is there against those pesky insects that wreak havoc on your harvests? Sylvie Gemme, teacher at the École des métiers de l’horticulture de Montréal, recommends alternative methods, such as companion planting. “Consider planting marigolds, which chase away nematodes attacking potatoes, eggplant, tomatoes, and other vegetables. You can also use nasturtium, which attracts aphids, preventing them from getting to your veggies. Inversely, several fragrant herbs, given their strong odour, make it hard to find your vegetables,” she explains. Gemme also advises using protective nets as a preventive measure.

Uh oh! Aphids have already set up camp on your plants? Here’s how to get rid of them without resorting to pesticides.

And last but not least, apply a thick layer of mulch to your soil to prevent weeds from taking over your garden.

Go ahead and maintain your garden, but don’t engage in an eternal battle against nature! First and foremost, respect your hardiness zone. In other words, plant vegetables, fruits, and herbs that thrive in your region and its climate without too much human intervention.

Next, embrace imperfections. For instance, a few leaves eaten by caterpillars are just a small sacrifice contributing to the emergence of butterflies—key pollinators that will ultimately help your garden grow. “Speaking of which, I encourage anyone with a garden to plant flowers in order to attract as many pollinators as possible, » says Gemme.

In the fall, take a break! Never mind cleaning up the flowerbeds: leaves, stems, and other organic debris provide coverage for a wide variety of useful organisms in the winter months. And seeds, for their part, can serve to feed the birds!