Message from the president of the BCLNA

Simple choices will contribute to a more sustainable backyard.

Welcome to the GardenWise: Healthy Garden Guide. I hope it motivates you to think about the gardening practices and products that are used in your yard.

While it’s always dangerous to generalize, it’s probably safe to say that gardeners are environmentally aware and given the option, would choose practices and products that do not have a negative impact on their surroundings or the people and pets who spend time there.

One of the advantages of the enormous attention being focused on green issues is the increased spending in research and development of products that have a far lower impact on the environment than those available in past years.

In addition to these products, we can all make a positive contribution in other ways too. There are relatively simple choices that will contribute to a more sustainable backyard. It could be as easy as choosing plants that are pest-resistant, making sure your soil is healthy or composting. Every choice that reduces your impact on the environment is an important one.

The Guide’s tips on responsible gardening practices need to be taken seriously; each of us has to be more aware of our environmental impact. For more advice on how to be more environmentally friendly in your yard, consult with your local garden centre, a master gardener, or a landscape professional. Visit www.gardenwiseonline.ca for gardening information and to search for landscape service providers in your area. To learn about the BCLNA and the landscape nursery industry, go to www.bclna.com.

Fred Giesbrecht
BCLNA President

Contents:

Caring for the Environment
The Circle of Life
Next-Generation Gardeners
Trees for Life
The Pruning Puzzle
Landscape Professionals
Choose Green
Lawn Alternatives
Condo Gardens
Sustainable Gardening Choices
Environmental Farm Plans
Healthy Soil
Community Capital
Plant Health
Around the Garden
Winning Landscapes

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