For the longest time, a lot of people have believed that any garden is eco-friendly. After all, it’s a known fact that plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen in return. However, many different things happen in and outside a garden that isn’t eco-friendly.
The whole world is facing very serious environmental problems that need to be addressed now.
The good news is that every gardener can help by making their precious spaces more ‘green’ and sustainable. In this guide, you’ll learn about tips and gardening practices that you can and should adopt to help save the environment.
#7 Eco-friendly gardening tips
Gardens aren’t always green! Try these 7 eco-friendly gardening tips
#1. Go solar
Utilising renewable sources of energy is, without a doubt, one of the best ways to live an eco-friendly life. While there are many different ways that you can do this, installing solar lights in your garden is the easiest and most feasible route to go.
The fact that many households are already using them is more than enough proof of the benefits of using solar lights around your home and garden. Whether it’s for illuminating your garden pathway or highlighting any architectural feature, solar lights have got you covered.
Some solar lights are equipped with sensors, making them the perfect low cost, low energy way to safeguard your home from intruders.
And since you’re using clean and free energy from the sun, you’re also reducing your carbon footprint in the process. Additionally, you save yourself money since you don’t have to rely on energy from the power grid to power your solar lights.
#2. Consider installing artificial grass
The real vs fake grass debate is ongoing in the gardening community. However, it can’t be denied that artificial grass has its set of advantages over the real version regarding eco-friendliness.
For starters, synthetic turf doesn’t require water to be healthy, unlike natural grass, which also needs to be watered more often during summer. Obviously, water that’s not used is water that is conserved — something that everyone should be doing.
Second, artificial grass will never face any pest problems nor the risk of diseases. This will prevent the need for you to use chemicals to treat your lawn.
And perhaps, what’s most important is that it’s so easy to maintain! You’ll never have to mow or use any equipment to keep your lawn in good condition. This equipment, especially those that are powered by gasoline emit harmful carbon into the atmosphere, so that’s one less environmental problem to worry about.
#3. Stop using chemicals
Whenever possible, shy away from using chemicals in your garden. They may be effective in dealing with pests and insects, but they’re not good for the environment. The same is true in the case of using chemical fertilisers — you may even be doing your garden more harm than good.
Not only can your plants get overdosed with these chemicals, but they can also have detrimental effects if they find their way through bodies of water. The packaging used, when discarded improperly, is also a potential threat to the land.
Instead of chemicals, go for organic pesticides and products to use in your garden. Planting strong-smelling perennials such as Lavender and Rosemary can also help keep pests away. Making your garden wildlife-friendly to attract certain animals and insects will also do a fine job of eliminating pests.
Finally, there are different composting methods available if you want to improve the health of your garden. Choose the one that will work best for you. Composting is also one of the simple ways that you can reduce your carbon footprint — all the more reason why you should start composting.
#4. Save water
Another way to make your garden more eco-friendly is by reducing the amount of water you use. Doing so will not only contribute to reducing water usage on a national level but will also lower your water bill significantly.
One of the easiest methods to conserve water is by watering your plants early in the morning or late at night. This will eliminate the need for frequent watering since it allows your garden enough time to absorb water instead of getting wasted through evaporation.
You should also consider installing water butts to collect rainwater and use it for your garden to reduce your dependence on tap water. What’s great about it is that it’s a very easy DIY project and you can even buy ready-made water butts if you don’t want to construct one yourself.
Alternatively, using grey water collected from your kitchen sink, shower, bath, or laundry, is also a great way to save water. If you do this, however, see to it that the grey water you’ll be using doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals like bleach or disinfectant products. It’s also advisable to use only grey water on non-edible plants.
#5. Grow native species
Native plants have already adapted to their area’s growing conditions which makes them much easier to maintain. In general, they require less water and have fewer pest and disease problems. Native plants also attract native wildlife which is a great addition to any garden.
These characteristics of native plants can make your garden more eco-friendly. They will not require as much water as other plant species. And since they’ve already developed strong defences against pests and diseases, you shouldn’t need to use pesticides to treat them.
#6. Grow your food
Every little thing that you do can potentially increase your environmental footprint. Even as simple as choosing what you eat can spell the difference between an eco-friendly household and one that is not. That said, it’s a good idea to grow your food in your garden.
You see, the fruits and vegetables that you buy from the supermarket had to travel a long way to get to you. As they are carried by trucks to their destinations, fossil fuels are burned, and carbon is emitted into the atmosphere.
Growing herbs, vegetables, fruit trees, and other edible plants in your garden means that you’ll have a steady supply of fresh produce. You also don’t have to worry about if what you’re eating was treated with harmful chemicals.
Best of all, you do your part in contributing to the wellness of the environment.
#7. Plant trees
Large trees such as Betula, Beech trees and Magnolia will do an excellent job of purifying the air in your garden.
Not only that, but trees can also help make your home energy-efficient. If they cast a shadow on your home, they keep your house cool during hot seasons which means your air conditioning unit won’t have to work double time to keep you comfortable.
And during winter when these trees are bare of its leaves, they will allow more sunlight to enter your home. The result is a warm home that doesn’t have to rely too much on a heater. Ultimately, you lower your energy consumption and your utility bills.
Admittedly, making your garden truly ‘green’ can be a herculean task. It involves adopting new ways of gardening which can be difficult especially if you’ve been gardening for a very long time. However, the rewards of an eco-friendly garden is unparalleled, making the switch to eco-friendly gardening methods completely worth it.
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