Practice Natural Gardening & Landscaping
Natural is beautiful! A new movement currently afoot is changing the face of many of Victoria's gardens. Rather than using mostly exotic and tropical plants (many of which require lots of water), gardeners are discovering the beauty of native plants. Native plant gardens can incorporate just as much complexity and creativity as exotic plant gardens. They usually require less water, little or no pesticides and fertilizers, and create habitat and food sources for wildlife such as birds and butterflies.
How do I practice Natural Gardening?
With proper technique and some planning, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers can be reduced or eliminated altogether from our lawns and gardens. This means better health for ourselves, our children and local wildlife. Composting provides nutrients and texture for soil. Certain plants attract beneficial insects, birds and bats that control pests without the need for chemicals.
Water conservation is important in Victoria during our dry summers. Using less water also helps to prevent erosion, and limits the amount of pollutants that are flushed off impervious surfaces and into streams and harbours. Conserving water doesn't necessarily mean a "parched" looking garden, especially if you use native plants that are adapted to this climate.
There are many excellent natural gardening guides available. By incorporating some of the techniques described in the resources below, gardeners can add to the beauty of their landscapes, create wildlife habitat, reduce pollution and water use, and possibly even save time, money and effort.
Additional Resources & Links
- Alternatives to Pesticides
- Drought Tolerant Gardening
- CRD Native Plant Gardening Workshops
- Gardening with Native Plants - Habitat Acquisition Trust (PDF
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Websites
- Earth Easy
- Victoria Compost Education Centre
- Naturescape BC
- Caring For Wildlife Habitat at Home: The Stewardship Series(PDF )
- Native Plants for the Garden, South Coastal BC: Naturescape (PDF )
- Native Plant Gardening: Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary
- Native Plant Society of BC
- Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team
- Native Plants of the Northwest
- Pesticide Free Naturally: City Green
- Homeowner's Guide to Outdoor Water Use (PDF )
- Rain Gardens: Improve Stormwater Management in Your Yard: CMHC
Articles
- What's Your Poison: Putting Your Garden Yard and Pets into Detox: The Georgia Strait (PDF )
- Alternatives to Pesticides: The Georgia Strait (PDF )
- Gardening with Native Plants
© Image courtesy of Lotus Johnson