How to green your garden while protecting the planet
There have been lots of things that have been written about the global environmental crisis and most of it is not positive. Yet there is also no reason to feel discouraged as there are lots of ways to improve our environmental situation if everyone would do just a little bit. There are encouraging and helpful ideas but they can sometimes be difficult to find. But take heart there are useful and practical ways that everyone who loves to garden can have a positive environmental influence. In the process of creating beautiful gardens and landscapes, we gardeners and weekend warriors unknowingly often waste a lot of water, use harmful chemicals that run off into waterways and put people and their pets at risk, indiscriminately kill beneficial insects and emit greenhouse gases into the air. Yet if you are looking to make a positive difference here are some tips on how to green your garden while protecting the planet-
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- The right plant in the right place-Planting the right plant in the right place allows it to thrive in its preferred growing environment. When plants are sited properly, they become naturally healthier and hardier, making them much more resistant to pests and diseases. This in turn reduces or eliminates the need for pesticides and fertilizers. This also reduces the chance of harmful chemicals running off into water, minimizing exposure to chemicals for pets and children and benefits the air the plants are thriving in.
- Feed the soil, not the plants-Having and cultivating healthy soil is the essence of creating a growing environment that promotes chemically free plants. It is important to keep in mind that soil has a life of its own, with billions of microorganisms, all working together to support and promote its own ecosystem. When the gardener is adding soil food, such as compost and organic matter, we then are enriching the soil, which, in turn, helps plants thrive.
- Make compost and use compost-Gardening experts tell us that compost is the single-best thing we can add for creating healthy, living soil. And the very best aspect may be that we can make it for free with waste from our homes and yards, keeping a significant amount of waste out of landfills. For help in beginning compost and for the correct use of compost you can consult many of the available guides online or speak with one of the gardening specialists at your local home improvement store or nursery.
- Focus your efforts to conserve, retain and use water properly-According to reports by the Environmental Protection Agency, we waste about half of all the water we use, and a lot of that applies to irrigating our lawns and gardens. We tend to all over-water and irrigate at the wrong times, wasting much of it to evaporation and runoff. In addition as water washes across our properties, it carries sediments and contaminants, which can make their way into watersheds. This can lead to more problems, such as habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity.
- When working in your garden be proactive, not reactive-It pays to stay ahead of any developing problems. It becomes crucial to pay attention to your plants, keeping the garden free of weeds and leaf debris. That way if you do see a developing problem, be it pests or disease, you will know the most eco-friendly way to deal with it.
- Grow what you will eat and eat what you will grow-While those exotic plants may seem a fun challenge you are wasting your resources to grow something you will not even eat. While landscaping can take a decorative approach be sure that your fruit and vegetable gardens are something that can go onto your table and be eaten. That way you really are greening the planet and benefiting your wallet all at the same time.
