about us campaigns news and blog videos get involved events calendar resources BOOKSTORE OUR NEWSLETTERS ventilation index contact us © 2008 SCCAS





News and Blog

Gardening Expert Ed Lawrence Applauds Ontario Government’s Cosmetic Pesticide Ban

Ed Lawrence, author, retired chief horticulturalist at Rideau Hall and
popular gardening expert, this morning declared his support for the
Ontario Government's decision to ban the use of harmful pesticides for
cosmetic purposes in this province.

"I sincerely applaud Premier Dalton McGuinty and the Ontario
government for their decision to protect the health and safety of the
people, and particularly the children, of this province through this
cosmetic pesticide ban. These dangerous poisons and chemicals are not
essential to good gardening and never have been and the sooner people
stop using them, the better it will be for both the ecology and our
own health. All it takes are a few good, simple horticultural
practices and some common, harmless household products like soap and
water to maintain a healthy, attractive lawn and garden. This ban is
great news the environment – its great news for all of us!" said Mr.
Lawrence speaking from his home in Almonte this morning.

As the former chief horticultural expert at Rideau Hall, author of the
best-selling book "Gardening Grief and Glory" and popular media
gardening guru, Ed Lawrence has gained a solid reputation as the elder
statesman of environmentally-responsible gardening. His simple,
practical, and effective solutions to gardening problems and pests
have consistently avoided the use of dangerous poisons and commercial
pesticides. Soap and water, dormant oils, integrated pest management
(ie. good bugs eating bad bugs), even the use of beer in small bowls
to eliminate slugs from your garden are among the benign remedies that
Ed has used and promoted over his many years as both a media gardening
celebrity and in the greenhouses and gardens of the Governor General.

"The most respected gardeners I know tend to avoid the use of harmful
pesticides like the plague. And the joy of it is, you don't have to be
a horticultural specialist to make plants grow well and stay healthy
without dangerous pesticides. To anyone who sees this ban as the death
knell of their showcase garden, I'd say "don't worry". There are
simple, benign alternatives to these poisons and they do work. You'll
be amazed!"

For more information or to book an interview with Ed Lawrence, please
contact Benoit & Associates at 819-459-1481.

http://www.gardeningwithed.com/