Grow Regina is pesticide (insecticide and herbicide) free to maintain a healthy garden ecosystem for people, pets and wildlife, such as birds, and beneficial insects like bees and ladybugs.
Gardening without chemicals is very rewarding, but it does take time and effort. Please take this into consideration when choosing a plot. A large plot you are unable to manage will not produce as much as a well managed medium plot.
Once the soil warms up in the spring prepare the soil by turning it over this will remove any weeds that have overwintered. This can be done by shovel if you want a good workout or with a rototiller. Plowing for People will prepare your soil for at a very reasonable price. Book their service at the April AGM they take orders and payment after the meeting, or contact Dawn Watkins at dalow57@gmail.com
Help keep those pesky weeds under control by picking them early.
- Do one very good weeding in the spring after your plants have germinated you will give your veggies a head start over the weeds. Weeds hinder the plants you want to grow.
- Weed thoroughly a couple of weeks later and you will have the weeds under control. Good time to thin out carrots, beets, and any other veggies growing too close together.
- Throughout the summer keep picking weeds before they go to seed as they will spread to other gardens.
- Use mulch (ie. grass clippings, cardboard, compost or leaves) to control weeds.
We also ask that you do not pile weeds on the pathways, instead bring them home to your compost or use the provided GFL green bins. You can consider joining the Compost Committee if you are interested in learning more go Compost Committee.
Keeping weeds under control is extremely important!
Every gardener is responsible for doing their share to keep the paths weed free.
Bugs and plant disease must be managed without commercial chemicals. Healthy plants have their own immune system to ward off bugs and disease so the first step is to look after your plants and to give them what they need to stay strong.
Cut worm, cabbage moth and the potato beetle are common problem insects.
- Remove infested leaves by hand or with a clean, sharp pair of garden shears.
- Rotate annual crops each year to prevent the soil from becoming depleted of nutrients and to control soil-borne diseases.
- Manually remove and kill potato bugs and cut worms.
- Provide environment for ladybugs who are a major defense against aphids, mites, white flies and scale insects
- Build tents over Bassica (cabbage family) plants with insect control material
Physical barriers help limit damage from gophers, and robins.
Grow Regina Community Garden 