Gardening is a wonderful way to interact with the earth and take advantage of all it has to offer us. Being a environmentally friendly gardener ensures that we will have a beautiful planet to garden in for many years to come, and also allows us to leave a beautiful space for our children and grandchildren. But how can you be an earth friendly gardener? Luckily, it is easy to be earth conscious when tending to this season’s garden. Take a look below at 7 Ways to Be an Earth Friendly Gardener so you can grow something beautiful while leaving the planet a prettier place!
7 Ways to Be an Earth Friendly Gardener
1. Use a rain barrel.
You can buy a rain barrel or even make your own out of a trash can. The idea is for the rain barrel to collect rain water as it falls, which you can then use for watering your plants. This saves you from having to use more water and waste any of this precious resource.
2. Try natural pest repellents.
There are many pest repellents out there that contain chemicals harmful to not just the pests, but certain types of plants, pets, and even our air. Instead, opt for natural home remedies such as the old trusted dish soap and warm water recipe, slug traps made of beer, or hair clippings to keep pests away.
How to Make a Homemade Earwig Trap
3. Plant flowers that attract pollinators.
Our planet is in need of pollinators such as bees and butterflies to keep pollinating the plants and flowers our environment needs so badly. You can help by planting flowers to attract these pollinators (hummingbird vine, lilies, butterfly bush, lavender, bee balm) and also by giving them ground cover to find some shade under.
Tips for Attracting Beneficial Insects
4. Skip the chemical filled fertilizers.
You want to feed your plants, but don’t use chemicals to do so. These chemicals can run off plants and into water sources or the earth in general and cause all sorts of problems. Instead, opt for natural nutrients such as compost, crushed egg shells, banana peels, and coffee grounds stirred into the soil.
5. Water in the early mornings or late evenings.
If you do use a garden hose to water your plants, do so early in the morning or late at night. This way the sun is low and it won’t cause your water to evaporate quickly. This gives it time to sink in to the soil and get the job done. Less water is wasted this way.
6. Compost your kitchen scraps.
Don’t toss those kitchen scraps. Instead, use them in your compost or for food sources as mentioned above. This also saves you from having to invest in chemical alternatives. Compost is so good for your soil and your plants, and since it is all natural you don’t have to worry about it hurting the environment.
Easy Tips for Starting Compost Pile
How to Make a Compost Bin – 7 DIY Projects
7. Use eco friendly plant packaging.
Be sure all of the plants you purchase come in eco friendly pots. If you can, choose ones that can be planted directly in their pots which will later break down into the soil. If you do buy plastic pots, be sure you recycle them once you remove the plants from them. Be sure all cell packs, starter pots, and other plant packaging can be recycled.
Are you ready to get gardening while being a little “greener?” Give these 7 Ways to Be an Earth Friendly Gardener a try and see what a difference you can make.
More Eco-Friendly Gardening Tips:
How to Recycle Household Items in Your Garden
How to Attract Ladybugs to Your Garden
5 Tips for Attracting Bats to Your Garden
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