The use of pesticides, either on a domestic or commercial level, has severe repercussions on the environment. In this piece, we explore what exactly it is about pesticides that make them a threat to soil health and ecosystems and look at actionable insights you can implement today to practice pesticide-free gardening. 

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How Do Pesticides Impact The Environment?

Whether in small or large quantities, the use of pesticides has an impact on the environment. Pesticides – chemical substances derived from both synthetic and natural sources used to control or eliminate pests, including insects, weeds, and fungi – can easily contaminate soil, water, turf, and a wide range of other vegetation. Besides vegetation, pesticides can kill insects, native plants, and many other species, including birds and fishes. While using pesticides in farming can have its benefits in terms of higher yields and better quality produce, they still pose significant risks to the wider environment, for example through contaminated water and soil. What’s more, residues that survive in groundwater can also go on to affect livestock and crops later in the cycle. 

While pesticides are designed to target pests, they can have adverse effects on human health if used improperly or in excessive amounts. Prolonged or significant exposure to certain pesticides has been associated with health concerns such as respiratory issues, neurotoxicity, reproductive problems, and an increased risk of certain cancers.

For these reasons, the best thing one can do to protect biodiversity and the environment is to stop using pesticides altogether, especially if one is using them in a garden or an allotment. 

There are so many alternatives to help you practice chemical-free gardening that can not only save you money but also safeguard the environment. 

How To Practice Pesticide-Free Gardening

1. Check Compost Is Peat-Free (Or Make Your Own) 

The first thing you can do to practice chemical-free gardening is to check that your compost is peat-free. The process of extracting peat is known to contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, since when it is harvested and dried, the carbon contained in the peat is released into the atmosphere. 

Nowadays, there are many sustainable alternatives to peat that are great for the environment and also help you to replicate what peat does for your plants without the negative environmental impact. 

Even better than buying compost and checking it is peat-free is to make your own. Get yourself a compost bin for the garden, where you can compost leftover vegetables, garden trimmings, coffee and tea bags, fruits, eggshells and nut shells. Then, put it into the top of your compost bin; as you add more, the structure of the compost bin will help speed up the decomposition process and moisture retention.

It takes between six months to two years for compost to fully mature – also depending on what you have put into your compost bin. However, you really only need to compost your soil once a year, so this works perfectly for most people. A great way to save money, generate less waste, and reduce your environmental impact at the same time.

2. Make Sure Your Rotate Your Crops

Rotating your crops is another way to reduce the need for pesticides. When you rotate your crops, you break the pesticide cycle and help prevent any bugs from building to a level that is damaging to your plants. 

While this alone will not completely prevent any bugs or insects, it is still a good thing to implement as part of a wider strategy to reduce your use of pesticides. For larger gardens or spaces where crops are regularly rotated, you can consider turning to a plant hire to access cost-effective tillers or cultivators that will do this thoroughly and help you improve the consistency and aeration throughout the soil. 

3. Research Companion Plants

Something else you can do to practice pesticide-free gardening and reduce the need for pesticides is to research companion plants. This is a highly-effective trick, as planting companion plants around your garden, whether it is around fruits and vegetables or other plants that are prone to damage from insects, can keep bugs away and ensure the long-term health of your garden or allotment. 

Unfortunately there is no one plant that helps to get rid of all bugs, so you might have to research for the right companion to the plants you are having issues with. For example, sage helps repel cabbage moths and carrot flies, basil keeps whiteflies away, and oregano repels most pests. Sunflowers are another great companion plant to boost pollination rates and keep ants away. 

4. Remember That Not All Bugs Are Bad

The majority of the bugs and insects that are in your garden are not harmful and actually help create a biodiverse garden. Good bugs include things like ladybirds, bees, spiders, centipedes, and lace wigs, which can help eat pests that harm your garden, pollinate your plants, provide foods for birds and animals that also eat pests, and even improve soil health. So, rather than wanting to remove bugs completely, instead focus on things like rotating your crops and choosing companion plants to help naturally remove the bad bugs and keep the good ones. 

Final Thoughts

It’s possible to maintain your garden without the use of pesticides, to create healthier plants in your garden whilst also reducing the environmental impact your garden has overall. With a few small changes, you can make a big difference, so moving into the summer start to make these changes and your garden and the environment will thank you for it! 

You might also like: All You Need to Know About Sustainable Gardening

The post How to Grow Produce Without Using Pesticides appeared first on Earth.Org.

With rising electricity costs and temperatures dropping below zero, we are all trying to find innovative ways to save money, especially with our energy bills. Several countries put a cap on energy. However, the move alone isn’t enough to alleviate the pressure that many households across Europe and the world face. Here are 5 ways to save energy this winter.

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5 Ways To Save Energy This Year

1. Dry Your Clothes Naturally

For those who own a dryer for their clothes, you may want to stop using it. They use a lot of energy that can ramp up those energy bills. 

Start drying your clothes naturally by hanging them up on an airer or a washing line. However, avoid using a washing line during winter because it is damp outside and may take longer to dry. 

Get yourself an airer and place it next to a radiator or heater. Ensure you do not put it too close to the heater where it can catch fire, and do not leave it unattended. You can also place it next to a dehumidifier to help dry them. These are efficient and can dry your clothes much quicker than leaving them in the air to dry alone. 

Below is a breakdown of the cost per hour for tumble dryers, dehumidifiers, and heaters. 

• Dehumidifier (extracts 20 litres of water per day) costs 16p per hour.
• Tumble dryer costs roughly £1.70 per cycle.  
• Fan heater (2kW) would cost 68p per hour however this would take much longer than both tumble dryers and dehumidifiers. 

2. Draught Excluders & Window Caulking 

Draught excluders are another investment for those who live in old apartments and houses. Furthermore, if you know your doors or windows are ageing, you will want to invest in a draft excluder for them. Although these are not massive money savers, they can keep your home warmer for much longer. 

Window caulking is the solution for your windows. It is affordable and is a great first line of defence against those winter drafts. The older your windows are, the worse the draught can be, so window caulking is a modern solution. 

3. Air Fryer, Microwaves, and Slow Cooker Season

When it comes to the winter months, the last thing you want to be eating is cold food. You will want something warm, especially after a long day at work in freezing temperatures. Using your oven every day to bake or heat up your meals can get very expensive in the long term. 

If you are looking for a more cost-efficient alternative and you do not want to miss out on the quality of your food, use air fryers or slow cookers instead. These are great investments and will not affect or alter the quality of your food.

Another thing you want to do this winter is meal preparation. Cook your food in batches so you have enough for multiple meals. Once you have finished cooking it, you can then put several portions into different containers. All you will need to do is reheat it in the microwave when you want to eat it. 

4. Hot Water Bottles, Hand Warmers, Heated Blankets

There is nothing better than a hot water bottle when you struggle to get warm. Furthermore, you can put your hot water bottle underneath a blanket whilst binge-watching your favourite television series. It is a great solution to not putting your heating on. 

Something else that you can do is purchase a heated blanket or a hoodie (yes, heated hoodies do exist). Whether you want to buy a hoodie or a blanket, these are simple solutions to those cold winter nights so make sure you are well-prepared to save money this winter. 

5. Windows & Curtains

We have already touched on window caulking but there is more you can do to ensure your home stays warm. You can opt for window blinds and curtains to control and reduce the light that penetrates inside your house. However, these can also be great for keeping out the cold air. We suggest you start using both curtains and blinds to keep out the cold air and keep the warm air inside your home. 

We advise you to buy blinds which use a thermal material. There are many blinds and curtains which are great and have a thermal material to keep the heat in. Furthermore, you will need different types in each of your rooms. For example, If you are buying blinds for your bathroom, you will need to ensure they are metal blinds, similar to the style of some conservatory roof blinds. The reason why is so they don’t rot and mould from the dampness in the bathroom, and they are easier to clean. 

Conclusion

As you can see, there are several ways to ensure you are not going crazy with your energy bills this year. Yes, it involves purchasing other items but will save you money in the long run. Air fryers are one of the most efficient things you can own for your kitchen so it is definitely worth the investment. 

This year, it will be likely that you are trying to avoid using central heating as much as possible. That is why you must invest in energy-efficient heaters as well as a dehumidifier for drying your clothes. 

You might also like: How to Lower Your Carbon Footprint Through An Eco-Friendly Home Audit

The post Global Energy Crisis: 5 Ways To Save Energy This Year appeared first on Earth.Org.