Ten Tips For A Healthy Garden And Lawn
April 7, 2012 9:00 AM
How To Garden Naturally
Ontarians can make their gardens and lawns healthy and green without pesticides.
It's easy to use organic or natural methods to grow beautiful lush lawns and gardens.
Build a healthy lawn by:
- Aerating your lawn. Removing plugs of dirt from the lawn lets air, water and nutrients reach the roots
- Applying grass seed mixed with compost, to make the lawn lush
- Cutting your grass only when it reaches 6-8 cm. (2-3 inches) in height. Shorter grass sunburns easily and lets weed seeds take root
- Leaving grass clippings on the lawn to fertilize the soil
- Watering deeply and infrequently to promote root growth.
Grow a bountiful garden by:
- Choosing plants appropriate for your local climate, soil type and moisture levels to help ensure they'll grow in your local conditions. Ask a nursery for advice
- Applying compost, bark, leaves or wood chips to keep the earth moist and control weeds
- Keeping garden tools clean and sharp. A clean cut is healthier for a plant than a rip or tear where pests and disease can start
- Quickly removing plant pests such as weeds or unwanted insects when you first see them
- Clearing dead or diseased material away to reduce places for pests to grow.
Building a stronger, greener Ontario is part of the McGuinty government's plan to protect the environment for our children and grandchildren.
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QUICK FACTS
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- Your lawn needs only about 2.5 cm (1 inch) of water a week.
- "Companion planting" is a toxic-free approach that uses the chemistry of certain plants to repel common pests tempted by sweet-smelling flowers and edible plants. For example, marry chives with carrots, tomatoes and roses and you'll help keep away Japanese beetles.
- New formulations of grass seed have been developed that can tolerate hot, dry conditions. Check out your garden centre for more information.
LEARN MORE
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- Our environment is worth protecting. Find out how you can help
- Find all kinds of gardening information by visiting Ontario's Horticultural Association
- Ontario has some of the most beautiful gardens in the country. Visit them to get inspired.
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CONTACTS
- Contact information for the general public
416-325-4000
1-800-565-4923 - Joe Kim
Minister's Office
416-314-6736
Joe.Kim@ ontario.ca - Kate Jordan
Communications Branch
416-314-6666
Kate.Jordan@ ontario.ca
via Ten Tips For A Healthy Garden And Lawn.