How to 'Green Up' your Garden this Spring

After a few beautiful days in Winnipeg, it is starting to feel like Spring is in the air. That calls for some Spring cleaning and getting your garden ready for growing season! 

If your goal is to create a beautiful garden while reducing water use and eliminating the need for synthetic herbicides and pesticides, follow some of these tips to get you started. 

Choose plants and grasses native to your area
Check out www.veggiedelight.ca/ to see the vegetables doing best on the banks of the Red River.

Choose flowers, trees, ground cover and vegetables over a monoculture grass lawn (think of the bees)
To add some flowers, try pussy toes, wild bergamot, coneflower, three flowered avens, black-eyed Susan, and wild iris.

Use less water
Let rain water your yard as much as possible. If you must water your lawn and garden, do so in the early morning or at night to prevent evaporation. 

Choose certified organic potting soil and seeds
Consider using organic potting soil and seeds to avoid genetic engineering and toxic chemicals. 

Avoid gas-powered equipment like lawn mowers and leaf blowers
Gas-powered equipment is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Try using manual, electric or even solar-powered lawn equipment when possible. 

Avoid pavement where possible
Natural ground cover absorbs groundwater, while rainwater that lands on hard surfaces like pavement can drag toxins into lakes and rivers. 

Choose organic pest and weed control
Synthetic pesticides and herbicides can be harmful to the environment and your family. Keep bugs and weeds away naturally by manually weeding your garden, companion planting, and putting bird seed in your garden. 

If you'd like more information, come out on March 31st to our sustainable gardening workshop. Find details here. 
Or go to www.yougrowgirl.com - a web resource and forum for lateral, organic gardeners who want to experiment, play, and develop a refined appreciation for everything that grows.