Cultivating the perfect outdoor space is a great way for homeowners to enhance their property and create a sustainable haven for wildlife and local flora.
The pandemic fueled a boom in home gardening, with many of us stuck at home and eager to spend time in nature.
Now, with the world almost back to normal, many of us remain dedicated to our yards but also eager to embrace sustainability and create a space thats comfortable and good for the environment.
While you might think gardening is automatically sustainable, as it is focused on nature, there are many techniques and products that can harm the environment and damage the ecosystem in your local area.
Gardening can also be incredibly wasteful, particularly if you buy a lot of fertilisers that come in plastic packaging or single-use gardening tools.
So, gardeners, whether experienced or novice, need to embrace sustainability and work to reduce their impact on the environment, both locally and globally.
If youre a keen gardener who wants to embrace sustainability in your gardening practices, then take a look at this handy guide.
Avoid Toxic Chemicals
Many commercial fertilisers and plant foods contain toxic chemicals that can leech into the soil and cause lasting damage. So, when youre thinking of feeding your plants and ensuring they get enough nutrients, you need to make sure that theyre not getting other chemical ingredients as well. Also, products that come in plastic packaging can extract chemicals from the bottles, which can also cause problems in your yard. The best way to avoid this is to use natural fertilisers and plant food products. You could start a compost heap to use natural waste to feed your garden and use products such as animal manure as natural plant food. Using natural products is often much cheaper than buying pre-packaged chemicals, so you can save money and reduce your impact on the environment.
Choose Garden Accessories For Their Longevity
The key to reducing your garden waste and ensuring that you dont keep buying new items, which require resources to make and transport, is to purchase products that will last for many years to come. As such, you should consider all garden furniture and accessories as an investment and find ones that will last. For example, if you love outdoor cooking and want to enjoy tasty homemade pizzas all year round, then you might want to consider a pizza oven from Ooni. Every Onni pizza oven is built to last, and they come in a variety of styles and fuel types, so you can find the perfect option that will bring you joy for years to come. The same principle goes for all your garden furniture and tools. If you buy high-quality products that are made to last, then you wont need to purchase multiple products and will reduce your impact on the environment while still enjoying the outdoor amenities you crave.
Use Waste Water To Hydrate Your Plants
Watering your garden can waste valuable drinking water, but even the hardiest of plants need water, and if its not raining, then you may have to supply this yourself. Instead of using a hosepipe or watering can to water your plants with fresh tap water, try using a water storage unit. These innovative devices store leftover rainwater, which you can use to refresh your plants even long after the last rainfall, so theyre ideal for reducing your water usage. Also, you could consider using leftover water from household activities such as cleaning or bathing to water your garden, but only if the water doesnt contain any harmful chemicals. Even leftover drinking water from glasses can be used to water small indoor plants, so no water goes to waste, and all your plants are refreshed and well-cared for.
Dont Be Afraid Of Weeds
When you think of weeds, its easy to imagine that you automatically have to get rid of them. Weeds are just plants that grow where we dont want them, and just because youre told you shouldnt have them in your yard doesnt necessarily mean they dont belong there. Many weeds are actually good for your garden and can encourage insects, which can pollinate other plants. Also, some weeds make for a good cover for small animals and can be a great way to encourage wildlife into your garden. So, when youre next tempted to weed your garden, consider leaving a few plants where they are. Some large weeds might need eradicating to keep your garden tidy, but where possible, you should allow small patches to grow, particularly in and around your lawn area.
Undertaking sustainable gardening practices can be a great way to reduce your impact on the environment and create a stunning outdoor space for you and your loved ones. These tips should help you to get started and find innovative ways to be more environmentally friendly as you work on enhancing your yard. Youll then be able to enjoy a beautiful outdoor space that is functional and eco-friendly.
