There was a strange stillness. The birds, for example where had they gone? Many people spoke of them, puzzled and disturbed. The feeding stations in the backyards were deserted. The few birds seen anywhere were moribund; they trembled violently and could not fly. It was a spring without voices.

Rachel Carson Silent Spring,1962

Rachel Carson's classic book awakened the world to the perils of pesticides, which harm not only unwelcome weeds and bugs but also birds in the air, fish in the waters, life giving plants on the earth, and, inevitably, ourselves.

The battle over pesticides is once again brewing. People are realizing that using herbicides and insecticides to achieve a flawless garden is not worth the risk to human health and the environment. A beautiful garden can be yours without spraying poisonous chemicals. Remember, a healthy garden is more pest resistant than one that is poorly maintained, and numerous organic solutions exist for most pest infestations.

Improve Your Garden's Health

Plants have natural defences against infestations. When stressed by other factors, however, they become more vulnerable to attack. To increase your garden's resistance to pests:

• Choose plants suitable to each area of your garden. Insufficient or overabundant light or moisture makes plants more vulnerable to pests.
• Prefer plants native to your area so that they are adapted to local climatic conditions and pests. Keep your garden soil healthy by adding compost and well aged manure.
• Include a diversity of plants to minimize your garden's susceptibility.
• Leave enough space between plants so the air can circulate.
• Rotate vegetable crops from year to year.
  
  

Use Organic Pest Control

• Check your garden often to catch problems early.
• Try manual methods, like pulling dandelions, plantain, and other weeds by hand; picking off and disposing of pests; pulling off and discarding infested leaves; and hoeing the earth to eliminate weeds.
• Keep slugs away by grinding up eggshells and sprinkling them in a ring around each plant. Powdered ginger sprinkled around a plant can help keep slugs and snails at bay. Remember to reapply after rain.
• Hose down plants and shrubs with water to rid them of aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites, being careful not to damage flowers or buds.
• A tin can with its ends removed deters cutworms if placed around plants to a depth of 3 cm.
• Brew your own bug spray. Mix 100 ml of crushed hot peppers with 400 ml of water. Strain the concoction and spray it on infested plants. (Note that hot peppers can irritate eyes and skin.) Do not spray when it is windy or in strong midday sun.
• Make another home brewed insect spray by finely chopping 10 to 15 cloves of garlic and soaking them in 500 ml of mineral oil for 24 hours. Strain the solution and spray as is, or dilute it with water before applying. Use this solution selectively as it also repels beneficial insects.
• Grubs in your lawn can be controlled naturally through the use of commercially sold nematodes microscopic worms that prey on grubs and other pests. Be sure to follow instructions carefully. Pest problems can often be "devoured" by attracting insectivores, like songbirds, bats, amphibians, and predatory insects, into your garden.
• Many pests have a natural aversion to mint, garlic, basil, chives, dill, onions, marigolds, and other aromatic plants, which may be interspersed with more vulnerable plants in your garden.

Create a Pesticide free Community

After learning the hazards of harmful chemicals and exploring alternatives, take steps to make your whole community pesticide free:

• Link up with others who oppose the use of these chemicals. Share ideas, strategies, and information. Some helpful partners might include doctors, medical associations, cancer advocacy groups, environmental organizations, field naturalist groups, fish and game associations, and organic gardening clubs.
• Write letters to local politicians urging tighter controls over pesticides. Submit a news release stating your concerns to newspaper, television, and radio reporters. Encourage them to run commentaries on the hazards of bug and weed killers.
• Approach your municipal council with a proposal to prohibit or restrict the spraying of pesticides. Towns like Chelsea, Hudson, and Westmount, Quebec, have passed by laws banning the "cosmetic use" of these chemicals.
• Inspire your neighbours to get in the act by posting a "Pesticide Free" sign on your lawn.