Many probably know the history behind Earth Day…that it was started as an environmental awareness event in the United States and the first one was held on April 22, 1970.
What surprised me was the fact Canada did not join in the movement until April 22, 1990 when we joined with 200 million people in over 140 countries to celebrate the first International Earth Day. Wonder why it took us 20 years to get with the program?
Whatever the reason, it is heartening to see to what extent this environmental awareness event has grown. There are now over six million Canadians amongst the billion or more people from 170 to 180 countries (the number of countries varies between different sources) celebrating Earth Day. And that is just on the day — April 22.
We now have Earth Hour, Earth Week and even Earth Month…all dedicated to embracing and promoting a healthy environment on a global scale. Phenomenal.
Of course, gardeners have really been celebrating Earth Day since the beginning of time…pretty much.
We deviated somewhat when the advent of pots made of plastic provided us with a cheaper means for sowing our seeds early and getting a jump start on the growing season. The Second World War did not really help either when it gave us new chemical solutions to our dastardly plant pest problems thereby ensuring perfect fruits and vegetables at harvest time also at a reasonable cost.
Turns out just these two items used by gardeners past has contributed a fair amount to the overflowing of our garbage dumps and the pollution of both our land and water resources.
Thank goodness for Earth Day! The very basis of this global event makes us stop and ponder a little about what we are doing.
Do we really need to be throwing those plastic pots in the garbage? Of course not. They are recyclable. Many nurseries will take them off your hands…especially if you clean the pots for them first.
Do you need to use plastic pots in the first place for sowing your seeds? Of course not. There are all manner of convenient containers already to hand…egg cartons, milk cartons, lettuce containers once you have eaten it all, even empty toilet paper rolls. Use your imagination whether an item can be reused before it gets tossed.
Do you need to use chemicals to combat those nasty plant pests? Of course not! First and foremost, if you feed your soil, feed your plants and meet their water needs you will not have a huge pest problem in the first place. As any good strategist will tell you — a good offence is always the best defence. But if that fails…a few well-aimed, strong blasts with a hose will generally knock most of the problem off your plant.
Water…do we need to pour hundreds of gallons on our plants to keep them alive? Well sure, some species would love you for it but there are any number of ways of delivering adequate quantities directly where it needs to go…like right to the plant instead of also, heaven forbid, on the driveway.
If you plant a diversity of species in your garden, you will ensure a diverse number of beneficial insects and animals. Banning all, and I mean all, pesticide and herbicide use will also provide a healthy environment for those same beneficial species.
These are only just a very few helpful things you can do in the garden in support of Earth Day, Week, Month. How many more can you add to this list?
It is good that we should care for our planet globally. It supports us all…no matter the colour of our skin, the denomination of our religion or the leaning of our political beliefs. And it certainly should not be about making money. Looking after our environment in a sustainable manner is really just about looking after…us — each and every one.
Okay…it is Earth Month! Enough “office time.” I am heading out into the garden to look for more ladybugs and a reappearance of my first hummingbird of the season. High time to celebrate Mother Earth, spring and most importantly…Birthday Month! Enjoy life!
Leslie Cox co-owns Growing Concern Cottage Garden in Black Creek. Her column appears every second Friday.
