1. Grow a healthy, non-toxic garden
Chemical fertilisers may produce a "quick fix" to a gardening problem but will likely have adverse environmental impacts over time. Some of the negative impacts of chemical additives include the destruction of worms, deterioration of soil quality, and the alteration of vitamin and protein content in vegetables. Natural methods are far safer. Try some of the following methods to improve the health of your soil and control pests:
Feed the soil as much as possible with organic matter instead of fertilisers - manure, compost and other organic material.
Worms make your soil more productive. Worms live on the organic matter in your garden; they process it for you by eating it and then providing worm castings to nourish the soil. At the same time they aerate and break up the soil as they tunnel around looking for food.
Compost as much as possible. Compost is made up of organic matter, material which was once living, that has broken down. The nutrients from compost give a never-ending supply of all the nourishment your soil will need to grow strong and healthy plants. You won't need to spend money on chemical products to nourish your garden.
Mulching reduces water evaporation, controls weeds, keeps the ground cool, encourages worms, and provides much needed nutrients for your plants.
