Now that you have a beautiful garden planted, it’s time for some upkeep! Below, you will see numerous tips & tricks that will assist you in naturally caring for your plants without chemicals or pesticides.
Natural Weed Prevention
Ditch the chemical sprays this gardening season and switch to more organic ways of minimizing weeds. Below, you will see a list of natural ways you can keep weeds at bay.
- Spread mulch in your garden to retain moisture and to help prevent weed growth. First, make sure that your garden is free of weeds. Next, select an organic mulch such as wood chips, shredded leaves, straw, bark, grass clippings or pine needles to sprinkle throughout your flowerbed. You will need a layer that is approximately 2-3 inches thick. Ensure not to place mulch directly against plant stalks or tree trunks, as it can cause decay and disease. Mulch assists in weed prevention through weed suffocation. It is also beneficial for gardens because it gradually decomposes over time, which makes your soil more fertile. You may want to avoid wood mulch, as it absorbs nitrogen from the soil in order to breakdown. In return, this takes away nitrogen and other nutrients from reaching your plants.
- Although it can be a pain, hand weeding can be very effective, especially if you remove weeds from the root! If you do hand weed, make sure to have a pointy tool (such as a screwdriver) that can assist you in digging down right to the root. Weeds that are simply half-heartedly pulled will come back in no time!
- Use boiling water to kill the roots of weeds. Boil a kettle of water and then carefully pour it over weeds, which will help to kill their roots’ systems. However, you must be diligent not to burn yourself in the process and to avoid pouring boiling water onto your plants by accident.
- Regular white vinegar can kill weeds in your garden by burning them. Conversely, use it sparingly as it can disrupt the natural pH levels in the soil due to its high acidity. Moreover, vinegar can be harmful to insects and to critters in the soil, such as earthworms. Therefore, if you choose to spray vinegar, only use a bit. Also, take care not to spray other plants in your garden. Weeds should die within 24 hours.
- Avoid using DIY weedkiller recipes that contain salt. Believe it or not, salt is harmful to soil and plants. Although it is natural, salt is toxic when taken up by the roots of plants and can stunt their growth and cause other undesirable issues.
Rid Your Garden of Pests Without Pesticides
There’s nothing more annoying than going out to your garden and discovering that some pest has invaded and destroyed your beautiful plant(s)! In this section, I will share some natural tips & tricks that you can use to deter common pests.
- Use compost in your garden so that your plants can be strong, healthy, and more resistant to pests. Plants that are doing well are less susceptible to infestations.
- Plant catnip in your garden. It helps attract predator wasps that attack aphids.
- Spray essential oils like peppermint, citronella, or rosemary to deter pests like aphids, mosquitos, and spider mites. (Recipe: Add 10-15 drops of essential oil into a spray bottle along with one litre of water. Next, add a few drops of liquid castile soap and shake the bottle. Spray the mixture onto plants every few days to prevent infestations.)
- Plant dill and marigolds together to help repel common pests. Remember, companion planting can also assist in pest prevention.
- Use a simple liquid castile soap mix and spray it on your plants in the morning or evening when the temperatures are cooler. (Recipe: Add one tablespoon of liquid castile soap to two cups of water in a spray bottle and shake.)
Organic Compost & Natural Fertilizers
Keeping up on garden maintenance can really help your plants thrive! But, is there a difference between fertilizers and organic compost, or do they do the same thing? When in doubt, always read flower information labels to better understand what they need to succeed. Not all plants require the same treatment.
- Organic Compost: Used to improve overall soil quality, which directly benefits plant health and growth. It can also better soil drainage, aeration, and moisture retention. If you’re starting a new garden, compost is an essential first step. Some organic composts include: dried shredded leaves, grass clippings, coffee grounds / loose-leaf tea, and decomposed vegetable and fruit peelings.
- Natural Fertilizer: Used to supply soil and plants with key nutrients. Plants require 16 nutrients for ultimate growth, three of which are provided naturally (carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen). Sometimes, flowers need extra help to succeed and that’s where fertilizer comes into play. For example, annuals often require more fertilization because they continuously bloom and complete their life-cycles in one season. Therefore, they need a lot of nutrients. On the other hand, perennials generally do not demand as much fertilization. In fact, over fertilizing can cause perennials to grow too much and become floppy. Additionally, excess fertilization can lead to more foliage growth and less flowering. So again, it’s always important to read labels and to watch your plants carefully. Some types of natural fertilizers include: barnyard manure, bone meal, and blood meal.
- It is important to note that compost and fertilizer should not be used in place of each other because they have different functions for your garden. As mentioned above, compost improves overall soil quality, where fertilizer provides key nutrients to soil composition as well as to your plants.
To water or not to water, that is the question
The amount of water your garden requires depends on many factors, including: what types of flowers / shrubs you’ve planted, how long your garden has been established, the soil quality, and the climate in which you live. Typically, most established gardens need approximately one inch of water weekly, which can be a combination of rainwater and/or manual watering.
- Ensure that you read flower / shrub labels to know how much water they call for. It is a smart idea to place plants with alike watering requirements in the same area. For example, drought tolerant flowers such as heath aster, spotted beebalm, and black eyed Susan work well together because they are all drought tolerant. To save water, select plants and shrubs that are hardier and that are drought resistant.
- Generally, perennials do not need as much watering compared to annuals, as their root systems extend deeper into the soil and are more established. The lifespan of an annual is typically one season, so their roots are not as hardy and, thus, need more regular watering and attention. Additionally, young plants and seedlings demand more watering until their root systems become stronger (around 2-week mark).
- Watering in the morning allows plants to better absorb the water before the hot sun evaporates it. You can also water in the evening, but there is greater risk that plants will grow fungus or even rot due to too much saturation. Avoid watering during the afternoon when the sun is at its hottest!
- Some soil types do not hold moisture as well and call for more watering. For instance, sandy soil dries out quickly, while clay soil often holds moisture for longer periods. Be careful not to over or underwater. You will know if you’ve overwatered plants if the stems become bendy or mushy, if the soil is moldy, if leaves begin to brown, or if there’s root rot. On the other hand, you will know if you’re underwatering if you spot plants that have withering leaves, or if there’s dry or cracked soil.
- Lastly, you can save water by installing a rain barrel under the downspout of your eavestrough. In Canada, you can purchase a rain barrel anywhere between $120 CAD to $450 CAD (for an ornamental /deluxe version).
Final Tips For an Eco-Friendlier Outdoor Space
Now that you have your garden in tip top shape, let’s take a brief moment to see how else you can create an eco-friendlier outdoor space.
- Minimize how much grass you have! As you know, grass takes a lot of upkeep. You have to cut it, water it (at times), and fertilize it. This not only takes time, money, and resources…it can also put a strain on the natural environment. Instead, plant native ornamental grasses, shrubs, and ground covers. Not only do they require less work, but they assist local wildlife.
- Set up water dishes, birdbaths, and perching stones during the warmer months. This will help thirsty birds and other critters to stay hydrated and to keep cool.
- Set aside an area with a brush pile that includes leaves, branches, rocks, and logs. This space can be used as an additional habitat for wildlife.
- Lastly, switch to using electric or manual lawnmowers, electric trimmers and leaf blowers.
Sources
Beaulieu, David. Compost vs. Fertilizer: What’s the Difference? The Spruce. July 2, 2022. Compost vs. Fertilizer: What’s the Difference?
Earth-Friendly Landscaping. The Conservation Foundation. Earth-Friendly Landscaping – The Conservation Foundation
Finneran, Rebecca. Fertilizing established perennial gardens-feed ’em and weep. Michigan State University. May 17, 2013. Fertilizing established perennial gardens – feed ‘em and weep – MSU Extension
How and Why to Use Flower Fertilizer. Longfield Gardens. How and Why to Use Flower Fertilizer
Safe and eco-friendly garden pesticides. David Suzuki Foundation. Safe and eco-friendly garden pesticides – David Suzuki Foundation
Salinity: salt damage to soil and plants. University of Saskatchewan. Aug 18, 2019. Salinity: Salt damage to soil and plants – Gardening at USask – College of Agriculture and Bioresources | University of Saskatchewan
Sweetser, Robin. Annual vs. Perennial Plants: Everything You Should Know. Almanac. Jan 2, 2026. Annual vs. Perennial Plants: Everything You Should Know | Almanac.com
Weir-Jimerson, Karen & Hoppe Norgaard, Claire. 12 Sustainable Gardening Tips to Make Your Yard More Eco-Friendly. Better Homes & Gardens. Jan 2, 2025. 12 Sustainable Gardening Tips to Make Your Yard More Eco-Friendly
Woodland, Susan. Your Guide to Native Ontario Plants. Nature Canada. Plant-List-Options-Web.pdf
