Gardening Tips to Make Your Yard More Eco-Friendly
So, what is sustainable gardening? There is no official definition, but the idea is to reduce human impact on the Earth. Sustainable gardening practices at home include avoiding polluting chemicals in fertilizers and pest control, conserving natural resources, and minimizing waste wherever possible. You don't have to make big changes right away if you want to switch to sustainable gardening; Even something as simple as using natural weed killers instead of chemicals can help the environment. These sustainable gardening ideas can help contribute to a happier, healthier planet.
1. Go organic for sustainable gardening
Going organic is an integral part of sustainable gardening. Using fewer chemicals in your garden is more ecological and cost-effective. If you're growing food for your family, gardening organically is even more important. Start from the ground up by creating good soil rich in nutrients and adding organic compost to improve the soil. If you find insect pests or plant diseases in your garden, treat them with organic solutions.
2. Mulch your landscape
Mulch is a great way to prevent weeds from sprouting in your garden, but it also helps retain moisture in the soil. In areas with water restrictions, this is especially important. Add a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch of your choice around your garden beds and landscape plants. Mulch options for sustainable gardening include shredded bark, cocoa beans, pine needles, grass clippings, and coir (made from coconut husks).
3. Plant natives
Knowing how to grow a sustainable garden includes knowing which plants to use. Stable plants are native to your region and are also called native. These plants take less work, generally require less water, and thrive better than other perennials because they are already adapted to your climate, rainfall, and soil types. Additionally, native plant species provide food and shelter for native insect and bird populations.
4. Lose your lawn (or part of it)
A beautiful, green, and weed-free lawn uses a lot of resources. Most lawns need water and fertilizer to stay in top shape. You can enjoy more sustainable landscaping by reducing the area planted to grass and replacing it with easy-care perennial ornamental grasses, low-growing shrubs, or ground cover.
5. Lack of water
Using less water is an important component of sustainability, especially in water-scarce and restricted areas. Xeriscaping, a gardening and landscaping method that minimizes the need for irrigation, includes a variety of drought-tolerant shrubs and perennials. Install a rain barrel at the base of one or more downspouts to collect water from Mother Nature to use for your plants.
6. Grow your own food
Growing sustainable vegetables, fruits, and herbs are satisfying, easy, and delicious. Additionally, growing your own food is an essential part of a sustainable lifestyle. For a successful sustainable vegetable garden, plant vigorously and in season. Greens and spinach-like crops germinate quickly in the spring but die back in the hot summer weather. Beds can be interspersed with warm-climate crops such as tomatoes and peppers. When fall weather cools down, you can plant cool-weather crops again and get three seasons of food from the same area.
7. Perennial plants
Long-lived perennials are a great way to get more enjoyment out of your gardening. Choose perennials suitable for your USDA zone; You can find zone information on the plant tag. To save money, buy smaller perennials; They get bigger and better every year. Every two years, they should be divided, giving you more plants to grow your sustainable gardening or share with friends.
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