Category Archives: pollution

The Full List of Bug-killing, Bee-harming Neonicotinoid (or ‘Neonics’) Garden Sprays Which Are on Sale in Garden Centres, Supermarkets, Do-It-Yourself Stores, and Shops Just About Everywhere

Posted on July 29, 2015 by John Walker

Several people have asked me for a bigger, easier to read version of the list of garden bug-killing and bee-harming sprays (and compost/soil drenches) which contain the polluting chemicals known as neonicotinoids (‘neonics’ for short), which has been shared widely on Twitter. … Continue reading →

Posted in blog, environment, garden centres & gardening industry, neonicotinoids or 'neonics', pesticides in the garden, pollution | Leave a comment

On the Slime Trail

Posted on May 15, 2013 by John Walker

With our recent wet summers, we need to adopt more of a ‘whole garden’ approach when it comes to curtailing the ravages of slugs and snails. In this 4-page article republished courtesy of Grow It! magazine (May 2013), I explain why I … Continue reading →

Posted in allotments, carbon footprint, climate- & earth-friendly gardening, eco gardening, ecological sustainability, energy use, environment, food & kitchen gardening, gardening footprint, green gardening, nature & the natural world, organic gardening, pesticides in the garden, pollution, published articles, renewable gardening | 1 Comment

Stay Home and Keep Gardening

Posted on February 7, 2013 by John Walker

A sun-soaked holiday taking in some of the world’s most beautiful gardens is a wonderful idea, given the growing year we’ve had – but only until you join up your thinking. By John Walker. Published on the Hartley Botanic website, … Continue reading →

Posted in carbon emissions, carbon footprint, climate change & global warming, climate- & earth-friendly gardening, ecological footprints, ecological sustainability, energy use, environment, ethics, fossil fuels, gardening footprint, green gardening, media, nature & the natural world, overconsumption, peak oil, pollution, published articles, tv gardening & celebrities | Leave a comment

Weedkiller’s Winning Ways: My Article on Clopyralid Compost Pollution Bags Garden Media Guild Environmental Award 2012

Posted on December 5, 2012 by John Walker

Last week I was chuffed and humbled to win – for the third time – the British Garden Media Guild’s Environmental Award for my article ‘Gardening’s own goal’, which was published by Hartley Botanic in August 2012. This is a real … Continue reading →

Posted in blog, environment, ethics, garden centres & gardening industry, greenwash, peat & peat-free compost, pesticides in the garden, politics, pollution, weedkiller residues | Leave a comment

Choosing Delusion

Posted on November 23, 2012 by John Walker

We’re told that whether or not to use garden chemicals is a personal choice. That may be so, but it needs to be an informed choice – and we’re not being told the whole story.  By John Walker. Published on … Continue reading →

Posted in carbon footprint, climate- & earth-friendly gardening, eco gardening, energy use, environment, ethics, garden centres & gardening industry, gardening footprint, green gardening, greenwash, media, nature & the natural world, organic gardening, packaging, pesticides in the garden, politics, pollution, published articles, renewable gardening | 2 Comments

Reporting on Garden Weedkiller Pollution is as Damaging as the Pollution Itself

Posted on October 30, 2012 by John Walker

Recent reporting on the threat of pollution by the weedkiller clopyralid leaves gardeners without the full facts about both peat-based and peat-free composts. By John Walker. Published on the Guardian‘s website, 27th September 2012 Twisted, buckled and puckered leaves, bulging … Continue reading →

Posted in environment, ethics, garden centres & gardening industry, garden compost & composting, greenwash, media, organic gardening, peat & peat-free compost, pesticides in the garden, politics, pollution, published articles, soil, weedkiller residues | Leave a comment

Climate Changes Everything

Posted on October 26, 2012 by John Walker

At the end of an abysmal growing year, only one thing is for sure: the familiar rhythms of gardening are gone for good. By John Walker. Published on the Hartley Botanic website, 18th September 2012 I’ll let you into a … Continue reading →

Posted in carbon emissions, carbon footprint, climate change & global warming, climate- & earth-friendly gardening, eco gardening, environment, nature & the natural world, organic gardening, pollution, published articles | Leave a comment

Gardening’s Own Goal

Posted on October 12, 2012 by John Walker

Found in some lawn weedkillers, the chemical clopyralid is a ticking time bomb – but we could defuse it right now if we learnt from past mistakes. By John Walker. Published on the Hartley Botanic website, 28th August 2012. Winner … Continue reading →

Posted in allotments, environment, ethics, garden compost & composting, organic gardening, peat & peat-free compost, pesticides in the garden, politics, pollution, published articles, renewable gardening, soil, weedkiller residues | Leave a comment

Flogging Faith in Nature

Posted on June 21, 2012 by John Walker

There’s no need to buy solutions to pest problems that nature can solve for us. The only real problem is how to sell this idea. By John Walker. Published on the Hartley Botanic website, 21st June 2012 Minuscule spiders a … Continue reading →

Posted in ecological sustainability, energy use, environment, fossil fuels, garden centres & gardening industry, green gardening, media, nature & the natural world, organic gardening, pesticides in the garden, pollution, published articles, renewable gardening, tv gardening & celebrities | Leave a comment

Bring Me Sunshine: The Power Behind Renewable Gardening

Posted on September 15, 2011 by John Walker

Using a greenhouse to grow your own food will make your garden greener and help trim your ‘ecological footprint’ – but only if you tap into the right kind of sunshine. By John Walker. Published on the Hartley Botanic website, 23rd September … Continue reading →

Posted in carbon emissions, carbon footprint, climate change & global warming, climate- & earth-friendly gardening, ecological footprints, energy use, environment, ethics, food & kitchen gardening, fossil fuels, gardening footprint, nature & the natural world, organic gardening, peat & peat-free compost, pollution, published articles, renewable gardening | Leave a comment