by Leslie Cox; Sunday, December 29, 2013
It is resolution time with a New Year just around the corner. But to heck with promises of being on top of the housework and laundry! I always focus on the changes I want to make in my garden. It is a question of priorities. And greening the garden should be at the very top of the list.
As gardeners, we are truly on the front line of experiencing climate change. Just working in the soil, growing our food and tending to our plants exposes us to the vulgarities of our local weather patterns.
So what can we do to help our little patch of the planet? Here are twelve tips to make your garden a “greener” space.
1. Go organic. With many communities implementing new by-laws banning pesticides this one is now mandatory. Many chemical fertilizers and insect control products on the market contain ingredients that are especially harmful to the environment. Creeks and streams are also impacted through these chemicals leaching into the groundwater.
2. Compost. By composting uncooked food scraps, leaves and lawn clippings you are reducing your waste and creating a nutrient-rich fertilizer for the garden. If you can afford to add a chipper/shredder to your arsenal to deal with the larger garden debris, so much the better. Applying compost promotes healthy plant growth that results in reduced attacks from insect pests. Making your own compost also reduces your need to truck in organic fertilizer.
3. Collect rainwater. This is a simple way to re-use rainwater. It is amazing how much water can be collected from a roof. Downspouts are easily re-routed into rain barrels or other suitable containers, allowing you access to a water source during drier periods.
4. Utilize native and drought tolerant plants. Indigenous plants are already adapted to local conditions and well positioned to handle weather fluctuations. They are easy to grow and maintain, generally requiring less water and fertilizing than ornamental hybrid varieties. Drought tolerant plants are also useful in the landscape design with their acceptance of drier conditions.
5. Landscape wisely. Think about your garden layout…in particular, the hardscape elements and the materials you use. Hardscaping is quintessential for the overall effect of the garden but the materials must be chosen with care. Cedar is much preferred over pressure-treated lumber. Paths should be constructed of porous elements to allow rain to soak into the ground. Likewise, concrete and paved areas should be kept to a minimum to reduce water run-off. Design garden beds and install plants to suit the contour of the property and the existing elements, such as trees.
6. Water efficiently. Getting water directly to your plants cuts down on the amount needed to keep them healthy and happy. It also means you are not watering unnecessary parts of the landscape such as sidewalks or driveway.
7. Mulch. Applying compost, leaves, seaweed, or bark mulch around your plants reduces evaporation, resulting in your need to water less frequently.
8. Grow your own food. What could be fresher? Think of the calories you burn when you walk into the garden for the dinner ingredients instead of the harmful carbon you emit if you were to drive to the grocery store.
9. Recycle. Instead of tossing those plastic pots, yogurt containers or what-have-you into the garbage or recycle bins, consider re-using them to start next year’s vegetable and flower seeds and to grow on the seedlings.
10. Embrace green practices. Who needs a gym when you can have a workout in the garden? A push-mower is great for the waistline over the emissions from a gas-powered one. Biceps are ensured using hand clippers over electric hedge trimmers. Solar lights are every bit as brilliant as electric plug-ins. Unfortunately, they only work in sunny gardens.
11. Attract beneficial insects. These guys are very necessary for pollinating plants and keeping pests at bay so you want to attract a healthy population. Without them, you inherit the job.
12. Attract birds. Drawing birds into your garden ensures help in keeping garden pests under control. They are also efficient scavengers of weed seeds.
It may seem like you are only saving miniscule amounts of carbon emissions when you stack your garden against a whole country. But, believe me, change begins at home. Never underestimate the little guy.
May your gardens flourish in 2014!
