What Goes into an Environmentally Sustainable Yard?

In the fragile world we live in, the importance of gardening sustainably cannot be underrated. Gardening in your own backyard takes more effort than just watering the plants.

Environmentally sustainable gardening practices are aimed at creating a conducive environment for plants through taking care of the soil, vegetation, air and water around those plants. The following are a few ways to achieve this:

Use Compost

Compost is using waste materials to enrich the soil for healthy plant growth. Composting garden and yard waste means less trips to the landfill and creates organic material for your soil.

Composting is simple if carried out correctly, it adds essential nutrients to your garden soil and reduces waste.

Sustainable Gardening is Non-Toxic

As the possibility of pests in your garden is always present, the use of environmental friendly pest control measures is highly encouraged. Use of certain sprays and insecticides may be bad for crops and the soil.

Gardeners should consider using natural waste and compost before applying pesticides and fertilizers.

Mulching

Mulching is laying down organic material like leaves or wood chip in a garden or flower bed. It helps keep water from evaporating, and soil from drying out. As the mulch breaks down, it provides nutrients to the soil and eliminates the need for additional fertilizers.

Use Native Plants

Often, individuals may opt to use exotic plants in their yards because they grow faster than native plants. However, this may upset the delicate balance of the local ecosystem and even drive a native species to extinction.

Exotic plants also tend to use fertilizer and other soil additives. Native plants don’t require additives, but may need a little fertilizer. Native plants are also drought tolerant, use minimal water, and aid in environmentally sustainable gardening.

Use a Variety of Plants

The use of several species of plant in your garden increases plant biodiversity and provides a habitat for insects and birds. This aids in pollination and increased crop yield.

All of these practices, when used together, will move your yard much closer to sustainable gardening. The effort you put into your sustainable gardening activities, will go a long way in helping your children, future generations and the world at large.

Want to start using sustainable gardening practices at your home or business? Give us a call at 574-527-7973 we can help.