Gardeners are more aware of their impact on the environment nowadays, so they are more likely to adopt eco-friendly gardening methods such as more efficient use of natural resouces, recycling garden waste and destroying natural plants, as well as planting more kinds of plants.
Establishing native species that are appropriate to the local conditions requires fewer inputs, less maintenance and treatment with fewer chemicals, which in turn, helps create more natural ecosystems.
Eco-friendly Materials
Sustainable gardening aims to make use of planting materials made from entirely or mainly eco-friendly materials: compostable or biodegradable materials that are made of renewable resources and/or components (for example, biodegradable pots or plant base liner). Eco-friendly materials also use less energy than conventional materials, therefore producing fewer emissions.
One of the essential ingredients of the eco-garden are recycled sources of materials. Old, salvaged boards from barns can be utilised to make garden walls or furniture, for example. Recycled glass that is crushed and screened could be used as a weed barrier and aesthetic mulching material in your garden. Recycled concrete, or corrugated metal, or other recycled building materials are relatively cheap to purchase and utilise, helping to conserve resources as well.
Sustainable gardens go further by using native plants that are distinctive to the climate and thus need no watering or fertiliser while also doing away with the need for mowing or other maintenance. They also provide permeable surfaces that allow water from rain to soak into the ground rather than rushing off into drains or streams.
Water Conservation
Conserving water is one key aspect of every sustainable garden, especially since the freshwater used in agriculture is increasingly becoming a contributor to global water scarcity, and pumping and transporting freshwater is an energy- and fossil-fuel intensive activity with the additional consequence of producing GHG.
Your garden can become less dependent on municipal water supplies by installing rainwater harvesting systems. Furthermore, species native to the area will use less water, as they are naturally well-adapted to local climate and hence need less irrigation.
Other green gardening practices include using compost, recycling kitchen waste into home compost, using companion planting and natural detergents in lieu of nasty environmentally damaging chemicals, and growing annual crops in raised beds of soil from non-contaminated sources. Not using chemicals for our gardens helps protect ecosystems, mitigating the need for pesticides to leach into the ground water or rivers that may lapse back into our homes.
Organic Soil
Organic soil provide many micro-organisms that help to promote breaking down plant were, and improve availability of nutrients . Good drainage, balanced pH, drained water, and channels for drain. Not only adding organic mulches and fertilizer can boost healthy garden soil.
It works sustainably if it maintains a healthy balance of nutrients and a multitude of beneficial insects to pollinate your plants, as well as eat many of the pest insects that would otherwise consume them. And indirectly, it will help to develop the kind of environment that attracts native wildlife, which in turn helps keep pest populations under control.
The second is soil structure. Improving soil structure in turn will reduce compaction and increase water retention, so plants won’t be fast-drying or sporting thirsty leaves. This will help plants thrive; reduced need for watering will be good for the planet; and mulching, feeding and digging both support gardening in a sustainable way. A good layer of mulch and sufficient organic matter (what you put into the soil whether by adding compost, manure or, better yet, cover cropping) will maintain adequate moisture in the soil without overwatering. This, too, is a path to healthy, sustainable soil.
Vertical Gardens
By moving plants away from floors and yards, the concept of vertical gardens – also called green walls – gives people creative and interesting ways to fill a room with plants while saving valuable space. Green walls are becoming increasingly popular in skyscrapers, apartments and even office rooftop terraces.
In addition, vertical gardens can scrub pollutants – for example, volatile organic compounds or VOCs – out of the air and offer thermal insulation, lowering energy use to heat and cool the building.
You can begin by choosing species that will fit your vertical garden environment. A trellis will be appropriate for climbers or trailers such as pole beans, peas, sweet potatoes, and sprawling types of squash. For a flower garden, try creeping phlox or morning glories, both rich in vivid colour. Succulents are another favourite and will need less watering. They will flourish with minimal sun exposure as well.