Chemical-Free Urban Gardening: Why Strengthening Plants Is Becoming Increasingly Important
Zurich/Winterthur – Fewer and fewer plant protection products are permitted for use in private gardens. New legal regulations have led to many products disappearing from the market. At the same time, another approach is gaining importance: strengthening plants so that pests and diseases do not become a problem in the first place.
This is exactly the focus of VEG and the City, an urban gardening company with stores in Zurich and Winterthur as well as a large online shop.
“Many plant problems don’t actually start with pests, but with stress,” explains Gudrun Ongania, founder of VEG and the City. “If you optimize location, soil, and care, you often need significantly less plant protection.”
Stricter Regulations for Plant Protection Products
Since January 1, 2023, stricter regulations have applied to the sale and use of plant protection products for private use. Many products that were previously freely available can no longer be sold to private individuals.
The impact of these changes became particularly noticeable throughout 2025, as additional products were removed from the market. The goal of these regulations is to better protect people, the environment, and water systems. Some active substances break down too slowly in water or soil and have therefore been reassessed.
One example is the product NeemAzal T/S, which was used against aphids, thrips, whiteflies, and more. Although its active ingredient is derived from the neem tree and is of natural origin, its approval for sale to private customers has been withdrawn because it breaks down too slowly in water.
The result: the range of directly effective plant protection products for home and balcony gardens is shrinking. Chemical “quick fixes” are becoming increasingly scarce.
Prevention Instead of Treatment – The 4-Step Logic for Strong Plants
Instead of reacting only when problems occur, the focus is shifting toward prevention and plant strengthening.
Resilient plants are significantly less susceptible to diseases and pests. The key is to provide optimal conditions right from the start. VEG and the City describes this approach with a simple 4-step logic for healthy plants:
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Create the foundation
Choose the right location, use high-quality soil, ensure enough space, and provide proper care. -
Strengthen plants
Promote healthy soil life (microorganisms and balanced nutrients), strengthen roots, and maintain nutrient balance. -
Observe
Regularly check leaves and detect changes early. -
Regulate naturally
Encourage beneficial insects and make use of natural cycles in the garden.
This is the basis of effective plant strengthening: living soils with active microorganisms, healthy roots, and balanced nutrition support stable plant growth. This is complemented by diverse planting and nature-based cycles in the garden – even in small spaces such as balconies or terraces.
Urban Gardening as Part of the Solution
This knowledge is becoming increasingly important, especially in cities. Urban gardening allows more and more people to grow their own vegetables, herbs, and flowers on balconies, windowsills, or terraces.
VEG and the City specializes in supporting urban residents with products, know-how, and inspiration for urban gardening. In their stores in Zurich and Winterthur, as well as in their online shop, customers can find organic seeds, organic seedlings, organic soils, and sustainable accessories for city gardening.
The company’s goal is to make home growing accessible to more people while sharing knowledge about sustainable gardening. The concept of plant strengthening fits perfectly with urban gardening: those who focus on healthy soils, suitable locations, and natural cycles often need less plant protection—while benefiting from stronger plants and better harvests.
About VEG and the City: More Urban Green for Everyone
VEG and the City brings greenery into urban life. Whether on a balcony, windowsill, or in the neighborhood, the company supports city residents in creating green spaces that enhance both quality of life and the environment.
Their offering is thoughtful, high-quality, and designed to inspire people to create their own green oases. Sustainability is at the core of everything they do—from product selection and packaging to sharing knowledge about urban gardening.
The result: vibrant urban gardens and small green islands that are not only beautiful but also create valuable habitats—for both people and insects.
Contact & Locations
Zürich City: Lagerstrasse 36-38, 8004 Zürich
Winterthur: Unterer Graben 1, 8400 Winterthur
Onlineshop: VEGandtheCity.ch/shop
