In the garden

Here are some things you can do in your garden to be an eco-friendly citizen.

• In summer, water the garden in the evening

When temperatures fall, there is less evaporation and watering the garden is more effective. Conversely, when autumn arrives, it is better to water the garden in the morning so as to avoid night frosts.

• Use biological insecticides

There are repellent plants (French marigolds, chives, onions, garlic, basil, dahlia) or even plant- or soapy water-based liquid manure to eliminate undesirable insects.
 

• Choose thermal weed control

This involves destroying the aerial parts of weeds at 95° C, using pressurised water. The plant will dry out and stop growing. This offers real ecological, financial and practical advantages.

• Compost your plant waste

Vegetable and fruit peelings, and plant and flower cuttings. Stored in a container that keeps it well aired, this valued waste will after a few months turn into top-quality plant contribution for the soil of a vegetable plot, garden or planter container.

• Collect rainwater

Place a water butt under a gutter down pipe and use the water for your plants and lawn, and to wash your car.

• Hoe to aerate the ground and thus save on 2 waterings.

• Construct animal shelters

Many animals are finding it increasingly difficult to find shelters where they can breed and spend the winter.  They are essential for the proper balance of your garden and are also very useful. Bees and butterflies play their part in pollinating the flowers. Ladybirds are very fond of aphids. Hedgehogs and shrews eat slugs. Make shelters for them: nesting boxes for birds, woodpiles for small mammals, pots filled with straw for earwigs, etc.

• Turn your balcony or the side of your house green

To bring biodiversity into the city, you don’t need a garden, just a balcony or even a window ledge. It is possible to grow many species of plants, fruit and vegetables there.

• Think about how you mow your lawn

For a small area of lawn, preferably use a hand-mower, one that does not run on petrol or electricity. It does not pollute or create any noise pollution, and lay a protective sheeting that encourages it to grow back again.
For a large plot, use a mulching mower that cuts very finely the mowings that are deposited on the ground, and forms a natural fertiliser. This saves time (no collecting up and journey to the waste pile), money (less petrol) and quality (protects the lawn against drought and disease, and reduces moss).