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.”
