1. Mulching conserves water, discourages weeds, provides better conditions for soil organisms such as earthworms.

2. Local native species are adapted to our climate. Once established, they don't need extra water, or food and can tolerate most insect attacks or diseases. And most importantly, they are part of the ecology of the area. Our local wildlife evolved with these plants, and are dependent on them for food. They are part of the food chain.

3. There is no need for pesticide use if the garden is low maintenance and not too big to be cared for easily. Herbicides and pesticides and chemical fertilizers all have a negative effect on soil health. Healthy soil means healthy micro organisms, which are an important part of the garden ecosystem. Living soil contains what is needed for a thriving plant and wildlife community.

Everything is interwoven. By changing the pH of the soil with fertilizers and by killing earthworms and other soil life with poisons, we upset the balance of nature. Eleven poisoned earthworms will kill a robin. During heavy rainfall, pesticides used on our gardens and lawns can be washed down into streams and thence into Cootes Paradise, where they are ingested by insects, fish etc., and in turn birds and mammals.

4. Reduced lawn area is easy to care for, and means less mowing, watering or feeding. In the summer lawns should be cut at three to four inches of height to reduce stress from heat. Other times, cut at two and a half inches. Leave clippings on unless your lawn was left too long between mowing. A healthy lawn has organisms at the level of the crown of the plants which help decompose the clippings, adding nutrients to the soil. When watering, do it very deeply every week during hot weather,or not at all. A healthy lawn may go brown in hot dry weather, but it is only dormant, and will soon green up when regular rains appear. A quick sprinkle is the worst thing for a lawn, encouraging the roots to grow very shallowly, where they are most vulnerable to heat and drought. When this type of lawn goes brown, it will never recover.

We need to learn to tolerate a few weeds in the lawn. Clover always looks green and adds nitrogen to the soil.

5. Using a composter gives a supply of the perfect additive to your garden. This year's yard waste becomes next year's plant food. It never burns the roots, improves the soil texture and adds to soil fertility in a gentle way.

6. Conserving water is conserving energy, and reducing pollution! The water we use for our lawns has been cleansed, purified and chlorinated to be fit for drink. This uses energy. The energy is made by burning fossil fuels or by nuclear power. Our lawns and gardens won't need so much water, if we only water deeply but infrequently, and plant native and drought resistant species.