Garden ecology turns a collection of plants and animals into a harmonious and balanced system

Don't worry - you're quite safe. What we will be looking at are ways in which various elements can be organized so that they provide some mutual support for each other and so cut down the input required (of both manpower and more conventional inputs like fertilizer) so you can spend more time enjoying your garden than sweating in it.

When most people think of ecosystems, they picture a rain forest or other pristine wilderness. In fact, even in our highly modified urban environment, the same systems and forces apply and we should manage garden ecology to create the best possible environment for ourselves and our plants.

How you plan your garden, the crop rotations and companion plants you use, your methods of pest/weed control and especially how you manage your soil, all impact (one way or another) garden ecology.

The most important part of the equation is the soil. Of course, this can be regarded as an ecosystem in its own right - every bit as biodiverse and biomassive as any rain forest or coral reef. For this reason, you may prefer to begin by reading our soil improvement section.

If you are interested in a biological approach, there is also new research into soil ecology.

Of course ecology is a very broad field and it would be difficult to cover it all here, but we will continue to add new information as we find things of relevance, and there is a list of useful links below. However, the best way to keep up with the latest in Garden Ecology would be to subscribe to our Free email newsletter - The Food Gardener

Further reading & useful links

Understanding garden ecology.
The key to an ecological garden is to choose plants that fit each of the niches in the garden habitat.

Planning effective crop rotations.
We cannot always maintain the biodiversity in the garden (especially the vegetable garden) that would sustain other ecosystems, but crop rotation can be used to compensate for this.

Companion gardening that increases biodiversity.
Similar to crop rotation, companion planting helps make the most of the inter-relationships between species that are important in ecosystems.

Understanding weeds (and pests).
Weeds and pests are opportunists that target areas of disturbance. Understanding how to control them means understanding how we create disturbance in the garden.

Management of gardening pests.
Of course, this is no simple problem. Gardening pests come in all shapes and sizes. Each is a unique problem of its own.