Lake of the Woods District Property Owners Association

The Lake of the Woods District Property Owners Association (LOWDPOA) is a vibrant membership-driven organization focused on the sustainability of lake life in our region.
 
    
 
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Greener Landscapes

Partners Against Pests

There are many plants that when joined in the right partnership can help keep those pesky pests away. The best combination plantings include a wide variety of herbs – hardworkers in the garden, great tasting in your favourite recipes.

  1. Anise, near coriander, helps deter aphids, snails and slugs; coriander, itself, helps keep aphids, Colorado potato beetle and spider mites at bay.
  2. Basil, beside tomatoes, improves the growth and flavour of the fruit and repels tomato hornworms and thrips.
  3. Borage attracts bees that pollinate tomatoes, squash and strawberries, but puts off cabbage and tomato worms.
  4. Catnip helps keep ants, aphids, flea beetles, Japanese beetles, squash bugs and even mice out of flowerbeds, but keeps your kitty happy.
  5. Chives, close by, improve the taste of carrots and tomatoes, and help deter aphids on sunflowers and tomatoes, reduce black spot on roses and control apple scab.
  6. Dill is a repellant for aphids, cabbage moths and spider mites.
  7. Garlic, among raspberry and rose canes, helps prevent disease and repels aphids, coddling moths, Japanese beetles and root maggots.
  8. Lavender attracts beneficial pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, but it helps keep mice, mosquitoes, moths, rabbits and ticks away.
  9. Mint (watch its invasive tendencies!) is a great companion for cabbage and tomato plants since it helps repel ants, cabbage moths, flea beetles and rodents.
  10. Oregano — an amigo to broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower — protects against cabbage butterfly and scares away cucumber beetles.
  11. Rue has the reputation of discouraging dogs and cats, as well as aphids, onion maggots, slugs, snails and Japanese beetles.
  12. Thyme, last but not least, is a longtime enemy of cabbage worms.
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More and more of us are looking for ways to reduce use of pesticides and fertilizers on our properties – especially at the lake. We’re not only concerned about the environmental impacts, but also looking for a way to simplify.

Isn’t that why we enjoy our cottage? We’re sure it’s not to spend weekends cutting acres of grass and weeding formal gardens, but rather relaxing with friends and family.

Lawn and Garden

The new catch word for re-establishing drought-resistant native species or leaving an area naturally vegetated is xeriscape. The term originated in desert urban areas, but the basic principles apply to our region and properties as well.

The advantages of Xeriscaping

  • Lower water consumption, natural fertilizer use
  • Less time and work needed for maintenance, making gardening simpler and less stressful
  • Little or no lawn mowing
  • Xeriscape plants tend to take full advantage of rainfall
  • During hot dry seasons xeriscape (native) plants will tend to survive, while exotics not native to the area may be unable to adapt.

How Do I Xeriscape?

  • Put plants with similar water needs together
  • Use compost and manure to hold water and allow soil percolation
  • Water efficiently
  • Reduce lawn area
  • Use native plants
  • Use mulch to reduce evaporation of water
  • Do not use railway ties as they are treated with creosote which can leach into soil
  • Do not use bug zappers as they kill good bugs that are important to a pest-free landscape

Pesticides

As waterfront property owners we need to be aware that everything we put in or on our yards has the potential to make its way into the water around our homes. These additional nutrients can act as fertilizer on aquatic plant life the same way they do when applied to our lawns and gardens, jumpstarting unwanted growth of plants and algae.

To limit the use of chemicals around our homes, The Ontario Cosmetic Pesticide Ban was implemented on Earth Day, 2009. Pesticides used for purely cosmetic reasons are an unnecessary exposure to toxic chemicals. The Ontario Cosmetic Pesticide Ban harmonizes rules for pesticides throughout Ontario. There are several classifications of pesticides that have new restrictions.

Banned – Sale of Class 8 pesticides (domestic products used only for cosmetic purposes). Examples are: Pictures to come

Restricted Sale – Class 7 (domestic pesticide products used for both cosmetic and non-cosmetic uses)
When purchasing Class 7 pesticides, vendors in Ontario are required to provide you with the following information:

ATTENTION: You have purchased a controlled sale pesticide. Certain uses of this pesticide to control weeds or insects outdoors, such as on your lawn or garden, are prohibited. For more information visit www.ontario.ca/pesticideban or call 1-800-565-4923 or 416-325-4000.

Lower Risk Pesticide Ingredients – Class 11 (Biopesticides) are okay for any labelled use.

Examples:

  • Acetic acid
  • Corn gluten meal
  • Soap
  • Mineral oil
  • Sulphur
  • Btk
  • Sclerotinia minor



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What Can You Do?

  • Mow Smart
    • Cut less often to reduce weeds
    • Raise the blade. Keep lawn at 2.5-3 inches high to keep it healthy
    • Leave your grass clippings adding nitrogen and calling all earthworms, both good for your lawn.
    • Get some exercise! Consider a push mower
  • Don't mow at all
    • Plant native species ground cover instead of grass. It's drought resistant and will save a lot of time, energy AND gasoline.
    Learn More...

What Can You Do?

  • Mow Smart
    • Cut less often to reduce weeds
    • Raise the blade. Keep lawn at 2.5-3 inches high to keep it healthy
    • Leave your grass clippings adding nitrogen and calling all earthworms, both good for your lawn.
    • Get some exercise! Consider a push mower
  • Don't mow at all
    • Plant native species ground cover instead of grass. It's drought resistant and will save a lot of time, energy AND gasoline.
  • Compost
    • It's a great way to add natural microorganisms and nutrients to your lawn and garden
    • Helps cut down on the garbage going to the landfill, too.
  • Water Wisely - does this fit in Pest section? Or over to Water Use
    • 1 inch of water per week on your lawn
    • Water in the evening or early morning so less moisture will be lost to evaporation
  • Plan Ahead
    • Drought tolerant native plants are more likely to thrive and are already more resistant to local pests and disease.
    • Rotate your vegetable planting - move plants around in the garden to make it harder for pests to find them.
    • Slip in some onion and garlic, helping to keep some insects away from other plants
  • Clean Up
    • Pests feed on dead and dying plants. They'll have a harder time in the spring if you do a thorough clean up at the end of the growing season.
  • Wash Away Pests
    • Blast'em with the hose.
    • Repeat on numerous occasions to fight aphids
    • Research natural or homemade pesticides
  • Use Natural Fertilizers
    • Apply Corn Gluten Meal in the early spring - it's a great way to keep lawn weeds at bay.
  • Test Your Soil
    • Healthy soil will reward you with a healthy garden
    • PH imbalance can be an issue in soils around our area
    • Kits for testing PH are available at garden suppliers
  • Hand Pull Weeds
    • It's easier after a good rain when the soil is moist
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Special thanks to our members Alan Smith of Smith Camps, April Stampe, Barry Baltessen, Dawn Whiting, Marcelo Vazquez, Mike Alvestad, Tony Stephens and Susan McLeod.