5 Tips to Have a Sustainable Garden

5 Tips to Have a Sustainable Garden

If you own a garden, you must be knowing how lovely it feels like to have a natural and beautiful getaway any time you need one. It is very beneficial to have a garden to provide food and habitat for pollinators, as well as your family.

It can also be tough at times to have a sustainable garden. Many times, we tend to take steps that can lead to problems your garden and its productivity.

If you too are looking for ways to better your garden’s sustainability, this article will surely help you out. Here I will tell you about 5 of my best tips which you could try in order to have a sustainable garden.

1. Avoid Chemicals

One of the most important tips to sustainable gardens is avoiding chemicals. Especially if you are growing your own food, then it is essentials that you eliminate the use of chemicals.

These chemicals do more damage than nurture. You might find them handy and save time, but in reality they slowly and steadily pollute your soil and even the underground water.

Instead, switch to organic gardening and focus on healthy soils. It is not only safe and natural but also much more cost effective. Making use of natural compost can provide rich nutrients and also increase the soil quality.

If you face any instances of plant diseases or insects and pests harming your plants, there are safe and organic solutions which you can use to treat them. These organic solutions will ensure complete treatment in an effective and sustainable manner.

It is always better to opt for organic fertilizers and pesticides than to make use of the manufactured ones. The less you use chemicals, the more sustainable and healthy you garden will be.

2. Use mulch and groundcover plants

Mulching your garden is a great way to hold up the moisture in your garden soil. It helps in keeping the soil cool and also makes your garden bed look ravishing. They also suppress weeds and prevent the frost damage in the winter season.

You can start by adding just a 2 inch layer of mulch on your garden bed. There are quite a few organic mulches available on the market as well such as straw, shredded bark, pine needles, or even stones. Adding healthy compost underneath your mulch will also supply much needed nutrients to the soil.

In the same manner, even grass or groundcover is very good for gardens. Dense plants help in preventing soil erosion and keeping your garden more weed-free. There are many plants that will form a dense groundcover, and are beautiful looking.

There are many places available where you can buy groundcovers for your garden at a reasonable price. You can also remove sod from your lawn and use it in your garden. In places with water supply issues, it is preferable to make use of mulch or stones in the garden.

3. Harvest Rainwater

Many places face water issues and that can be solved by storing rainwater. Rainwater harvesting is not only beneficial for your garden but also for you it also saves a lot of money.

Rainwater is also very good for the soil and it helps in reducing soil erosion. It is one of most inexpensive methods in having a sustainable garden. As rainwater has the ability to match the right acidity required by the plants, they even tend to grow faster and be healthier.

You can start by using a rain barrel to collect and store the rainwater and then use it later on through a hose to water your plants.

4. Avoid storing things in your garden

Let your garden be what it is and not turn into a dumping yard for your house. Avoid storing things, such as bikes, tools, and other unused items in the garden.

This is not only bad for the soil but at the same time also spoils the beauty that the garden possesses. Items made of iron or other commons metals tend to get rusted easily. And when they get rusted, they have the potential to enter in your garden soil and lower its quality. Mosquitoes can breed in standing water that collects in random garden objects, too.

If you love your garden and wish for it to be productive and beautiful, make sure you treat it with care and love. Let the garden area be meant only for plants and yourself to get some nature time.

5. Plant the correct species

While planting in your garden, look for plants that are native to the region you live in. Native plants require less water and grow easily as they are well adapted to the surroundings.

At times, when people make the wrong plant choices, they end up losing a lot as those plants might require too much water or not be suitable to your soil. It doesn’t matter how big or how small your garden space is, choosing wisely will always benefit you in the best ways possible.

Also, try to grow a variety of plants to create a balanced ecosystem that also enhances the beauty of the garden.

The best reason for planting the local species is that there is a very low chance of them needing any sort of fertilizers or pesticides, as they tend to have natural defenses against local pests.

Conclusion

These were few tips through which you can achieve a healthy and a sustainable garden. All of the above tips are effective and are affordable as well. They ensure quality output with minimal investment. I hope this write-up help you create a better and more sustainable yard.

Olivia Moore is a DIY enthusiast and a blogger. She is dedicated to a sustainable world and her passion is in helping people understand how little changes in their life can make a huge impact on the environment. She has worked with many NGOs in many developing countries including India, Nepal and Bangladesh to educate the populace on sustainable living. She blogs and co-owns Sisters Grimm which is a DIY website.