Gardening Green

Gardening Green by Lisa Burns

Photo courtesy of Backyard Getaway

It seems simple, plant a garden and you’re helping the environment. The truth is what you plant will determine how much you will need to water, fertilize and spray for pests. It is important to know how your landscape and gardening practices can have both positive and negative effects on the environment. Below are several sustainable gardening tips you can adopt that will help you conserve and protect our natural resources.

Mulching

Mulch helps to keep water in the soil rather than evaporating into the air, which will cut down on watering needs. As mulch breaks down, it will provide nutrients to the soil, which can help reduce the need for fertilizing. Make sure you use mulches that are from sustainable forestry practices like Melaleuca Mulch, not Cyprus mulch. Melaleuca or Punk Tree is an invasive tree in Florida.

Reducing Lawn Areas

This is my favorite tip! Lawns require frequent maintenance… mowing, fertilizing & chemicals to kill weeds & pests. Planting native wildflowers, bushes & trees to replace lawn areas will reduce the need to mow.  Or better yet add a water garden to replace the lawn area. A pond provides food, water & cover for wildlife & plants. Also take into consideration that gas lawnmowers produce greenhouse gases, which contribute to the air pollution that causes global warming. Having native plants in your garden will help you to maintain a healthy, natural ecosystems and reduces your time and labor working on the lawn leaving you more time to enjoy it!

Xeriscaping

Xeriscaping

Xeriscaping is an approach to landscaping that minimizes outdoor watering while maintaining soil integrity through the use of native, drought-tolerant plants. With our current watering restrictions this is the best way to have a beautiful yard without the need for daily watering.

Removing Invasive Plants

When exotic or non-native plants are used, they can upset the delicate balance of a local ecosystem and sometimes will push out native plants to the point of extinction. Wildlife benefit when native plant communities  are restored to their natural habitats, providing the best source of food for wildlife. Non-native plants will also require more work than native plants.

Water Conservation

To conserve water you should water, only on your designated day, with a soaker hose or a drip irrigation system. You will have less water evaporation than you would with a sprinkler, and it will provide targeted watering. Also, you should use a timing device with your watering system. Another great way to conserve water is to install a rain barrel that catches rainfall from your roof. The collected water can be used to water your garden.

Lisa Burns

Lisa Burns is co-owner of Backyard Getaway, a retail & pond service business with her husband, Dave. What started as a hobby grew into a business that transformed into a lifestyle. Backyard Getaway was born in 2004 & offers pond design, installation, maintenance & renovation services. They also offer online sales & local delivery of pond supplies. Lisa has been studying & working with aquatic plants & ponds for nearly 10 years.