Least Toxic Chemical Controls

Least Toxic Chemical Controls

While there are fabulous alternatives to the toxic pesticides used in many modern agricultural practices (I will be discussing them shortly) the ultimate goal for any garden is to develop and maintain a balanced ecosystem. On our Australian adventure we have seen as few examples of how one can implement practices which use what is known as the least toxic chemical controls. These chemicals are all under 15 letters with no hexa-tetra-who-knows-what-is-going-on-icides! Places like the Tamburlaine winery and Crystal Waters instead take it down to simple elements. Sulphur, copper, and boron are three examples that can be used as inorganic pesticides which effectively protect a plant from pests. Natural oils can also be effective at deterring or destroying pests.

Least toxic chemical approaches can go beyond the garden. Natural oils can also be effective alternatives to chemical heavy products. One example that we learned about at Crystal Waters was how they replaced epoxy based floor sealant with the oil in sheep's wool (lanolin). These simple switches can multiply to make significant differences that contribute further to sustainability on many levels (energy efficiency, human well being etc...)