Limiting the use of pesticides

People are now looking to adopt practices more respectful of the environment and less harmful to human health. It is common knowledge that pesticides and some chemical products used in the garden are hazardous to human health, particularly to children who often put objects in their mouths and play in the garden.

So, one of the first steps to reduce pesticide use is to adopt cultural practices adapted to plants grown in the garden. Consequently, these practices allow for more rational use of pesticides while reducing their applications.

Sometimes the survival of plants may be in danger and we must have recourse to pesticides. In this case, an advisers in-store can recommend RONA ECO or eco-responsible products as an alternative to traditional pesticides.

Plant selector
Soil calculator
Seed calculator
Related Projects
Related Tips
Page 1/1
RONA’s new policy
For a healthy lawn
To maintain vigorous fruit tees and to protect them
To protect flower beds and the vegetable garden

RONA’s new policy

On September 10, 2008, RONA announced it will stop selling synthetic pesticides for cosmetic use in all its stores as of July 1, 2009. This new policy promotes the protection of the environment and human health through the implementation of alternative options to synthetic pesticides. In this approach, an adviser in-store can inform you on cultural conditions and practices that do not promote phytosanitary problems.

As last resort, when all the other methods have been used, an adviser in-store can suggest RONA ECO or eco-responsible low-impact products to control a specific phytosanitary problem. RONA is committed to encourage consumers, to use as often as possible, natural alternatives in their gardening practices.

Here are some possible alternatives for the maintenance of the lawn, flower beds, the vegetable garden and fruit trees.

For a healthy lawn

  • Make a soil analysis to know the appropriate amendments and nutrients for good growth of the lawn;
  • Seed in at least 15 cm of quality soil;
  • Maintain lawn height at 8 to 10 cm in summer: a lawn too short promotes the establishment of weeds, prevents deep rooting and reduces its resistance to drought;
  • Practice grasscycling by leaving grass clippings on site which supply up to 25% of the lawn’s nutritional needs;
  • Dethatch if there is more than 2,5 cm of thatch. Excess thatch can provide a nesting area to some insect pests and makes it more difficult for air and water to penetrate in the soil;
  • Aerate your soil if it appears compacted. This procedure is done in spring or fall. It improves the oxygenation and promotes a better penetration of water and nutrients;
  • Topdress in spring by spreading uniformly with an organic amendment from 0,6 to 1 cm of thickness. This is beneficial when applied after aeration. It allows improving soil fertility and structure while reducing inputs of fertilizers and watering frequencies;
  • Reseed after topdressing to keep the lawn dense and to reduce the establishment of weeds;
  • Finally, to prevent germination of weeds, in early spring, use a corn gluten-based biological fertilizer. This fertilizer inhibits root formation during the germination of seeds. If dandelions develop anyway, manually remove them with a dandelion-weeder.

To maintain vigorous fruit tees and to protect them

  • Give preference to pest-resistant varieties (Ask an adviser in-store);
  • Make a soil analysis before planting fruit trees to know the composition of your soil and its reserve in nutrients;
  • Maintain tree’s vigour with a balanced fertilization. Give preference to natural granular fertilizers to avoid excess nitrogen;
  • Apply organic mulch at the base of the trees to maintain soil moisture;
  • Prune diseased or weak branches;
  • Destroy leaves and fruits on the ground as they are often carriers of fungi that overwinter;
  • Make or purchase insect traps to have some control;
  • Install a sticky tape around the trunk to prevent caterpillars to climb in the tree;
  • Eliminate masses of eggs on branches by scratching with a knife;
  • Cut infected shoots and destroy;
  • Sterilize cutting tools between each cut with rubbing alcohol to avoid spreading the disease;
  • As prevention in spring, spray a solution of horticultural oil to eliminate hibernating eggs;As prevention in spring, spray with a product containing sulphur to prevent infections caused by fungi;
  • As last resort, apply RONA ECO or an eco-responsible low-impact pesticide.

To protect flower beds and the vegetable garden

  • Choose plants resistant to insects and diseases (Ask an adviser in-store);
  • Make a soil analysis before creating a new flower bed or a vegetable garden to know the amendments and nutrients to provide for good plant growth;
  • Practice companion planting to protect or repel insect pests in the garden;
  • Select plants adapted to the conditions of your environment (sunlight, soil quality, hardiness, etc.);
  • Space plants adequately to provide air circulation;
  • Practice crop rotation in the vegetable garden as to not impoverish the soil and to reduce pest propagation over time;
  • When fertilizing, give preference to natural fertilizers;
  • Occasionally, check the soil’s pH and apply appropriate amendments (ex: dolomitic lime for acidic soil);
  • When watering, give preference to drop by drop watering system or a soaker hose and a timer to avoid water waste. Avoid wetting the foliage as it promotes the development of diseases;
  • Hoe regularly flower beds and the vegetable garden to loosen and aerate the soil. This allows a better penetration of water and to destroy weeds;
  • Apply organic mulch to keep soil humidity and to control weeds;
  • During the season and in fall, pick up and destroy infected leaves on the ground to reduce spores;
  • Install a pest control netting in the vegetable garden to prevent some insect pests to reach the plants (Colorado potato beetle, cabbage flea beetle, carrot fly). This should be done early in the season on the vegetables to protect;
  • Dislodge insects with a strong spray of water (aphids, spider mites, caterpillars, etc.).


About the vegetable garden, did you know that despite your efforts, you may still be exposed to pesticides? Seeds come from plants which may have come in contact with such products. In response to this concern, producers are now distributing organic seeds. These seeds come from plants that have never been in contact with chemical fertilizers or pesticides and were never genetically manipulated. Another way to eliminate pesticides from our environment!
Before using an amendment, a pesticide or a fertilizer always read and comply with the product label. Pay special attention to instructions, precautions to be taken before, during and after using the product and storage conditions.
Page 1/1