Many people experience problems with pests and use pesticides. What consequences can this have?
"Oh yes, I know the issue myself. I love gardening, and I often face the same challenges. My kale gets eaten by cabbage white caterpillars, the lettuce disappears because of slugs, and the strawberries are quickly picked off by magpies. Sometimes it feels like there is not much left for me in the end."
"But as hobby gardeners, it is important to remember that gardening is ultimately a hobby for us, not our livelihood. That situation is very different for farmers, whose income depends on their crops. Even though, I sometimes feel tempted to use pesticides myself, I choose not to, because they can harm so-called non-target organisms."
"Pesticides are designed to kill pests, but they often affect many other species at the same time. For example, using an insecticide against a pest insect may also harm important pollinators such as wild bees and butterflies."
"It can also help to look at the garden from another perspective: we are sharing it with other organisms. The plants we grow provide food not only for us, but also for wildlife. For instance, the caterpillars of the beautiful Old World swallowtail butterfly (Papilio machaon) feed on fennel before transforming into one of our most spectacular butterflies."
Many people consider Spanish slugs to be a major problem. Is there a way to get rid of them without using harmful chemicals?
"Oh yes, they are my nightmare as well! I am certainly not an expert on the subject, but what I usually do is hand collect them at dusk and check under wooden planks or other sheltered places where they tend to hide during the day. Once collected, I remove them myself."
"Another approach is to plant species that slugs particularly prefer, such as Tagetes (marigolds), which can act as a kind of “trap plant” and may attract them away from more vulnerable crops like lettuce. One important strategy is to start collecting slugs as early in the season as possible, before they have a chance to reproduce and their numbers increase dramatically."
"I am sure there are many additional methods for managing slugs without relying on pesticides, and combining several approaches is often the most effective solution."
I do not want to use pesticides, are there ways to prevent pest problems instead?
"Definitely! For example, if you do not want your kale to be eaten by butterfly caterpillars, you can protect the plants with a net to prevent adult butterflies from laying eggs on them. In the case of strawberries being eaten by magpies, I have heard of a clever trick where people paint small stones red and place them among the strawberry plants. The magpies then learn that the small red objects are not edible, which may make them less likely to peck at the real strawberries once they ripen."
There is a lot of discussion about “biodiversity.” What does it mean, and why is it important?
"Biodiversity refers to the variety of life around us, including different species of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms, as well as the habitats and ecosystems they form together. Biodiversity is important because it helps ecosystems function and remain resilient. A biodiverse garden is often better at naturally controlling pests, pollinating crops and flowers, improving soil health, retaining water, and coping with environmental changes, such as drought or disease outbreaks. For example, if a garden contains many different flowering plants, it can support a wider range of wild bees and other pollinators throughout the season."
"In gardening, promoting biodiversity can be as simple as planting a diversity of native and pollinator-friendly plants, avoiding pesticides, leaving some wild areas, or creating habitats, such as dead wood piles, ponds, or flowering meadows. Even small gardens or balconies can become valuable refuges for insects and birds in urban environments."
"In the long term, biodiversity is not only important for nature itself, but also for human well-being, food production, and healthy ecosystems that we depend on every day."
Which plants are best suited for Swedish growing zones, and does this matter for biodiversity?
"The best plants for Swedish growing zones are generally those that are adapted to the local climate and conditions. Sweden’s growing zones vary greatly, from the milder coastal areas in the south to the much colder northern regions, so choosing hardy plants that can thrive naturally in a specific area is important for both successful gardening and sustainability."
"Native plants and long-established garden plants are often particularly valuable. Examples include willow (Salix), rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), hawthorn (Crataegus), heather, clover, thyme, and native meadow flowers, such as knapweed. These plants are well adapted to Swedish conditions and provide food and habitat for many insects, birds, and other wildlife. Early-flowering species are especially important for pollinators emerging in spring, while late-flowering plants help provide food later in the season."
"Yes, plant choice matters greatly for biodiversity. Gardens dominated by exotic ornamental plants with little nectar or pollen often support far fewer pollinators and insects than gardens with diverse, flowering, and locally adapted species."
"At the same time, biodiversity also benefits from variety. A garden with trees, shrubs, flowering plants, ground cover, and areas that are allowed to grow a bit wild creates many different habitats. Choosing plants suited to the local growing zone also reduces the need for watering, fertilizers, and pesticides, making the garden both more resilient and more environmentally friendly."
If you could give only one piece of advice to someone who wants to garden sustainably at home, what would be the most important thing to start with?
"If I could give just one piece of advice, it would be: work with nature rather than against it. In practice, that means creating a garden with a diversity of plants and avoiding the urge to control everything too strictly."
"A garden with many different flowering plants, shrubs, trees, and “messier” areas naturally becomes more resilient and supports pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects that help keep pests under control. It also improves soil health and reduces the need for pesticides, fertilizers, and excessive watering."
"Even small actions can make a big difference, for example planting pollinator-friendly flowers, leaving some leaves or dead wood, or allowing part of the lawn to grow into a mini meadow. Sustainable gardening is often less about perfection and more about creating balance and supporting life around you."
