Does the idea of sustainable gardening intimidate you? For many people, the idea of learning a new skill and planning ahead are daunting tasks. Sustainable gardening can save you time, money and energy in the long run with a little bit of know-how. On the other hand, conventional gardening is pretty easy. You buy the plants you like, regardless of their needs, feed the heck out of them, and spray them with chemicals to keep them pest-free. What’s wrong with that you ask? For one, you spend a lot of money buying pesticides and fertilizer to keep your plants happy, not to mention the harm they can have on the environment.
What is sustainable gardening?
RecycleWorks.org has a great definition, simple and not overly technical. “Improve the health of your garden and minimize any negative impact on the environment.” To put it another way, creating a sustainable garden is a balancing act of resources used and results gained. For example, using less pesticides and being happy with a few chew marks on your plants. You’re not perfect. Why do your plants have to be? I have to admit, transitioning away from conventional gardening practices is a paradigm shift, which involves altering your perception of the “perfect garden” or the “perfect lawn.”
Why sustainable gardening?
As mentioned above, thoughtful planning saves time, money and energy. Isn’t that so true with a lot of things in life? The bigger picture, however, is creating a space that is environmentally sound for people, pets, and beneficial wildlife. I’m not advocating you hack up your lawn, although edible landscapes can be quite stylish, but maybe make it a little smaller so it requires less water and fertilizer. The potential misuse of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers is very common and many have harmful effects. Know your what you’re using and understand why.
Where to start
Soil. Soil. Soil. Improving the quality of the dirt you dig to grow your plants is the single best thing you can do for your garden. You can eliminate 80% of all plant problems by having good pH, good drainage and fertility, and as few weeds as possible. Don’t go changing your garden habits over night. You’ll get frustrated and hate me for reading this post. Just a few small changes can have a huge impact.
- Work with what you have
- Buy plants for the right soil, water and sun conditions
- Know your plant hardiness zone and stick to it
- Pick plants that are pest and disease resistant
- And don’t forget the mulch
More Resources
- Tips On Storing and Disposing of Pesticides
- Find Native Plants For Your Area
- Fine Gardening’s Super Helpful Plant Guide
- How’s Your Soil Texture?
Tags: conventional, environment, Garden, sustainable
