Easter onslaught

Popped into our local ironmonger (or hardware shop if you prefer) for something and noticed this display of garden poisons. Couldn't help but muse on the paradox of how, on the one hand we celebrate at this time of the year new life/spring awakenings, and many us campaign so vociferously to protect wild nature, while at the same time huge industries churn out and market these products with the express purpose of killing bugs, slugs, ants and weeds, along with a multitude of hapless plants and creatures in the process.

The 4-day Easter weekend was traditionally "the working man's" main opportunity to get the potatoes in and veg seeds sown, or else risk never catching up with the crops needed to feed a family. That's all changed now and what's more we  know that horticultural toxins  have a devasting effect on birds, bees and hedgehogs. More than that, ants, aphids, snails,  slugs (most of which don't feed on growing plants) and micro-organisms play complex essential roles that interweave with the wider cycle of life and make our natural world what it is/was/could be.

And yet here they are, all ready to keep our paths and patios weed-free and to protect our flowers and lettuces from slugs and greenfly. 
Happy Easter/spring festival.