Growing in a greener way will not only help the planet but help you to save money by using fewer chemicals, therefore creating less waste. You might ask yourself what sustainable gardening looks like. Though there is no official definition, the idea is to minimize humans' impact on the earth. Sustainable gardening practices at home include avoiding polluting chemicals in both fertilizers and pest control, preserving natural resources, and reducing waste whenever possible. Big changes don't always need to be made if you are making a slow shift to sustainable gardening, as even something as simple as using natural weed-killing methods instead of chemicals can help the environment.
- Go Organic: Going organic is a big part of sustainable gardening. Using fewer chemicals in your garden is more ecologically sound and more cost-effective. If you are growing food for your family, gardening organically is even more critical. Begin from the ground up by building good soil rich in nutrients and adding natural compost to amend the soil. If you discover insect pests or plant diseases in your garden, treat them with organic solutions.
- Mulch Your Landscape: Mulching is not only a wonderful way to prevent weeds from springing up in your garden, but it also helps hold moisture in the soil. In any area with water restrictions, this method is especially important. Add a 2-3 inch layer of the mulch of your choice to your garden beds and around landscape plants. Mulch options for sustainable gardening include shredded bark, cocoa bean hulls, pine needles, grass clippings, and coir.
- Plant Natives: Knowing how to grow a sustainable garden includes knowing what plants to use. Sustainable plants are the ones indigenous to your region, aka natives. These particular native plants take less work, and usually require less water, thriving better than other perennials because they are suited to your climate, rainfall, and soil types. Native plant species provide food and shelter for the native insect and bird populations.
- Lose Your Lawn: A gorgeous, green, and weed-free lawn uses tons of resources. Water and fertilizer are needed to keep most lawns looking in top shape. You can have more sustainable landscaping by reducing the area planted in grass and replacing it with easy-care perennial ornamental grasses, low-growing shrubs, or ground covers.
- Grow Your Own Food: Growing sustainable vegetables, fruits, and herbs is satisfying, easy, and delicious. Raising some of your own food is an essential part of a sustainable lifestyle. For a successful vegetable garden, plant intensively and by season. Crops, like greens and lettuce, sprout quickly in the spring but die out in the summer's hot temperatures. Beds can be interplanted with hot-weather crops such as tomatoes and peppers. During the cooler months, you can regrow cool weather crops again, getting three seasons of food from the same area.
- Plant Perennials: Long-lived perennials are an excellent way to get more bang for your buck. Choose perennials adapted to your USDA Zone, as you can find your zone information on the plant tag. To save money, buy small perennials as they will get bigger and better every year. Every few years they will be required to be divided, which gives you more plants to increase your sustainable gardening or share with friends.
- Save Seeds: When annual flowers go to seed at the end of the season, collect their dried seed heads and store them in a dry place all winter. You can sow the seeds in your garden next spring—no need to pay for additional seeds! Try this with marigold, sunflower, and morning glory.
- Start Composting: One of the best ways to partake in sustainable gardening practices is to compost your green waste. Grass clippings, deadheaded flowers, dried leaves, and more can be turned into a nutrient-rich sustainable fertilizer in a compost pile.
Interested in learning more about sustainable gardening? Use this article to guide you through the beautiful, green world of eco-friendly gardening to make the best sustainable choices for your gardening. Let the professionals at Ronald Christopher & Associates guide you in finding your new dream home in the beautiful communities in Palm Desert, CA today.