Sustainable living is a lifestyle that helps better the planet we live on and there are so many different ways to live sustainable. On this blog, we hope you have learned more about going paperless, learned more about composting basics and ways to repurpose items. But there is still so much more! Today, to continue this journey of giving you ways to live a more sustainable life, I am going to teach you how to create your own sustainable garden!
Tip 1: Create a Garden Design
In creating a sustainable garden it is important that you take some extra things into consideration. The main factor is to take into consideration how your garden is going to help the environment and not hurt it. So starting with the design of your garden, you’ll to want to put some thought into what you want from the garden. Maybe you are wanting a garden for more shade, a garden to grow fruits and vegetables or even just wanting a garden for a pretty landscape. Start planning on where you are going to put what and make sure you leave about 6-12 inches for small plants, 12-18 inches for 2-3 foot plants and 18-36 inches for taller plants.
Tip 2: Eco-Friendly Resources
Consider using rain barrels that can be used for watering your garden. Rain barrels are helpful because they use natural resources such as rainwater that way you don’t have to use drinking water that comes from your home. Another resource would be to fertilize your plants with manure. I know that manure isn’t one of the best smelling fertilizers but it is actually great for your plants! If you don’t have livestock at home, try getting manure from a farmer or farmer’s market in your local area. By using these two eco-friendly resources you are to promote a sustainable garden by using natural resources and saving money!
Tip 3: Let Nature Do Their Thing!
Beneficial insects are nature’s ways of controlling pests that could be found on your plants. By letting beneficial bugs do their thing you are saving yourself money and helping the environment by not buying harmful chemicals such as pesticides and other things. (However, please be aware of the difference between beneficial bugs and harmful bugs, link below this paragraph for details) Another way to benefit from nature is to let your plants produce seeds and collect them. By saving the seeds your plants produce you are able to use the seeds to grow more plants next year.
Tip 4: Compost and Do Your Own Mulching
Instead of throwing away your dead leaves and plants try composting them instead! You can compost your dead leaves and plants into your fertilizers that will make your soil much richer and healthier. Another way to compost your dead plants and leaves is by mulching. Mulching is a technique done when you take dead leaves and plants, grass cuttings or even sticks and chop them up into what is called mulch. That mulch is then used for a protective layer that goes on top of the soil and around your plants to keep moisture for the soil and to overall help your garden (minimizes weeds too!).
Tip 5: Be Creative With Your Garden!
Get creative! Make it fun! You can do this by making wooden plant tags that allow you to label what you are growing and where you are growing it. Try using scrap wood and fall branches to create an organic fence around your garden and make your sustainable garden unique to you!
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Resources:
https://sustainabilityx.co/15-sustainable-gardening-ideas-b22be80dfc7f