Healthy Southeast Chicago and the Southeast Environmental Task Force (www.setaskforce.org) are together encouraging residents to plant “biodiversity gardens” using native plants like the purple coneflower (Echinacea) shown here for health and various native wild flowers to attract birds and insects. This is coupled with classic urban agriculture edibles such as peppers, corn, squash and tomatoes.
As with most plants, echinaceas are subject to several disease and pest problems such as stem rots, powdery mildew, anthracnose, and aster yellows, as well as damage from insects like aphids, Japanese beetles, and eriophyid mites. Cultural practices, such as proper plant spacing, well-drained soils, proper sanitation by removing plant debris, and even advice from a team of pest control experts can help to reduce disease and pest related problems. Moreover, if you would like to learn more about how to tackle some of the most common garden pests that can make growing echinaceas difficult, you can head to websites such as https://www.pestcontrolexperts.com/ for example.
Native plants restore the health of our ecosystem by providing habitat for birds, butterflies, and other insects, and vegetable gardens provide nutrition for people. SETF is also exploring how natives can also be used to clean polluted soil over the years. With any luck, social justice and environmental conservation will find a healthy balance in communities home and community gardens