Wait...what does a ‘greener garden’ even mean? I’m talking eco friendly, that’s what, and it’s a word that should be on every gardener’s mind these days.
Whether you enjoy maintaining your yard to be aesthetically pleasing or you would rather use your yard to grow your own food, there are always small steps you can take to reduce the carbon footprint. Here are our 8 biggest tips to go (extra) green.
1. DITCH THOSE PESTICIDES: There is just no need for them! Mother nature didn’t use fertilizer and poison to maintain the earth, and neither do you. There are plenty of natural pesticides and fertilizers to get the job done.
2. Build a rain barrel. This is a great way to utilize chlorine-free water and recycle while helping in the fight against storm runoff. You save on your water bills instead of relying on an expensive sprinkler system.
3. Team up with animals. That’s right, reach deep to find your inner Snow White and work with your local woodland creatures to maintain a healthy garden. Bats are great for gobbling up pests, such as mosquitoes, and ladybugs will eat a number of other pests, such as aphids.
4. Instead of buying new pots for planting seeds, consider recycling pottery, coffee cans, mugs and food cups.
5. Forget fertilizer and turn to composting. This nutrient-rich cocktail will transform your soil into a fertile playground for plants to flourish. Best of all, just collect your fruit and veggie scraps to get started. It beats spending your hard earned money on chemically enhanced fertilizer.
6. Start a garden community or join one! This is a great tip for those who live in an apartment or in a city where yard space is scarce. By renting a plot in the community garden you can grow your own food and share with others.
7. Make a butterfly garden in your backyard to attract pollinators. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds are so incredibly important for balancing the ecosystem. Offer them a sanctuary by planting their favorite flowers.
8. Bring in the chickens! These feathered friends offer numerous benefits, such as natural fertilizer, preying on pests and providing fresh eggs for brekkie.
