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 www.caps.20m.comCanadians Against Pesticides |
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Celebrated CBC personality, Peter Gzowski went to bat for Canadian weeds this week. The longtime host of "Morningside", was angered by 2 lawn companies, Spraytech (Groupe Vertdure) and Chemlawn, who are using the Supreme Court of Canada to challenge Hudson Quebec's municipal ban on cosmetic-use pesticides. With a hint of vitriol, he reveals that it is chemical companies, not lawn maintenance services who are behind the landmark case because they would "like to get back to poisoning". "That seems to me like having the tobacco companies fighting some city's decision to ban smoking from restaurants." He clearly announces his position "I know what side I'm on: the weeds'. Let 'em grow, I say; let 'em flourish. Whoever said dandelions or Queen's Anne lace or buttercups or black-eyed Susans... were ugly?"
Gzowski eludes to North American society being long overdue for a paradigm shift in lawn & garden aesthetic. The European vision of the single species (monoculture) "lawn" as beauty must be abandoned. Nature's plan is based on a variety of native species working in harmony. This model eliminates the need for pesticides because such 'ecosystems' create natural and hardy defenses. By inviting all manner of insects and an appropriate selection of native plant species, Mother Nature creates an elegant and effective system of checks and balances, more than sufficient to guard against infestation and disease.
Gzowksi calls this new suburban ecosystem a meadow... "and meadows, it seems to me, are far more natural, pleasing, easy to maintain and healthier for everyone (except the chemical companies) than those boring, immaculate, high maintenance exhibitions of neighbourhood conformity and competition called lawns." Garden authors such as Allen Lacy, Michael Pollan (Why Mow?) and Toronto's Lorraine Johnson (Grow Wild, The Ontario Naturalized Gardener, 100 Easy To Grow Native Plants For Canadian Gardeners) are excellent resources for one looking to return a lawn to a more natural, healthy state. As Johnson says, the key is using 'native plants', those species that were most prevalent before European Settlement. She also points to a common misconception. "People tend to think that native gardens are wild looking or messy or out of control." She says this does not have to be the case. "Whatever aesthetic appeals to you... you can achieve that through native plants." And you'll still eliminate the need for pesticides... and the mowing! For those who hold steadfastly to the almighty lawn, Gzowski sums up his position: "...If you really don't like "weeds", pull 'em up." -Bernard Frazer, CanadiansAgainstPesticideS www.caps.20m.com |