Photo: Winner – Heather Kemp via David Suzuki Digs My Garden.
The David Suzuki Digs My Garden Contest has wrapped up its 3rd year and announced its winner.
After submissions closed on August 4th, Canadians had time to view photos online of contending participants and vote for their favourite pesticide-free garden.
With over 500 entries this year, it was no easy task, but 3000 voters let their voice be heard and named Heather Kemp and family, from Balgonie, Saskatchewan, the overall winners of the competition. Prizes include being titled Canada’s Best Pesticide-Free Lawn and Garden, a Robert Bateman signed print, a David Suzuki garden gnome, plus books and more.
Entries were submitted by gardeners and communities all over Canada – from a luscious green balcony in concrete-laden Toronto, to a ‘North of 60′ garden from Whitehorse, Yukon.
The goal of the campaign is to get our lawns and gardens ‘off drugs’. That’s right, it’s detox time. Showcasing bountiful and beautiful yards and gardens all grown without the assistance of harmful chemicals proves that pesticides are unnecessary for achieving green-thumb bliss.
Gardeners or groups who made entries were encouraged to share their story and tell why and how they maintain their green area 100 per cent pesticide free.
The reminder to go drug-free in gardening endeavors is timely. In Canada, at least 1000 toxic pesticide products that have been banned in other countries are for sale on store shelves, though Ontario and Quebec now have strong bans in place. Unfortunately, nearly 30 per cent of households in Canada still use harmful chemicals on their lawns and gardens.
The effects are far-reaching and detrimental to human health, especially for children. Cancer, neurological diseases and reproductive disorders have all been traced to these types of products. When it rains, or we water our garden, the toxins get flushed into the water table.
And don’t forget about other living things visiting our garden. Pesticides kill good bugs too, like ladybugs and honeybees. A domino effect within the food chain occurs and birds, fish and other animals all suffer.
Next to walking, gardening is the most popular physical activity in Canada. Approximately 75 per cent of Canadians have a lawn or garden. Cultivating the earth is very refreshing and fulfilling. Growing a drug-free lawn or garden is even more refreshing and therapeutic. It’s a great way to eat local – really local – and enjoy nature without harming the environment.
