Blooming Beautifully: How To Start An Eco-Friendly Garden This Spring

Gardening is a big hobby for many people during the spring and summer months. Tending to beautiful flowers and even herbs and vegetables is a great way to get outside, keep your home looking beautiful, and grow your own groceries.

You’re probably wondering how gardening can actually be bad for the environment since you are tending to the earth in the process. But some gardening practices are not so eco-friendly.

The good news is, it’s surprisingly easy to create a sustainable garden. Here are a few tips to make sure your garden is not taking a toll on the environment.

1. Make Your Garden Organic

In order to have an organic garden you need to avoid chemical pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. That means ditching fertilizers and potting soils that contain those harmful chemicals.

You can buy organic fertilizers to help with growth. And if bugs become an issue, you can find recipes on the internet for homemade pesticide sprays with natural ingredients. If you do decide to purchase a pest control product, make sure it’s OMRI (Organic Matter Review Institute)-approved, which certifies that it can be used in organic operations. 

2. Use Un-Treated, Non-GMO Seeds

Look for untreated, non-GMO seeds and plants when you start your garden. The good news is that many heirloom seed companies have taken the Safe Seed Pledge which is a commitment to selling safe and genetically stable seeds.

Untreated plants are harder to find, but you can talk to your local nursery staff to find plants raised with eco-friendly processes. 

3. Make Your Own Compost

Using yard waste is an excellent way to make compost for your garden and provide your plants with rich nutrients. Composting also helps your soil to retain moisture better which means you don’t need to water your plants as often.

Making compost might sound complicated, but it’s actually very easy. There are videos on the internet that can help you turn leaves into compost step-by-step. Pro-tip: rake up your leaves every fall to use for the next gardening season.

4. Use Sustainable Gardening Materials

Stay away from plastic pots and other gardening tools. If you want to buy a sturdy pot, go for terracotta. You can also buy biodegradable seed-starter containers and pots. Look for stainless steel gardening tools like shovels and trowels with wooden handles.

You can also use other recycled items from your own home. Glass or even plastic bottles can be used as cloches to protect smaller plants when there is a frost. 

5. Conserve Water

Water conservation is extremely important when it comes to eco-friendly gardening. You can install rain barrels or swales to direct rainwater to your garden, or you can install a grey water system which recycles and filters water from your home. Tap water can be used as well, but it often contains chlorine, which can have negative effects on your plants.

Another thing you can do is choose water-wise plants native to your region. These plants adapt to the amount of rainfall that occurs in your area and thrive with minimall irrigation. 

Creating an eco-friendly garden is not only beneficial for the environment, but it’s also beneficial for you. You can grow organic vegetables and herbs that you can use for cooking, therefore creating a healthier lifestyle and saving money. Converting to these practices can seem like a pain, but you’ll soon get the hang of it and have a beautiful garden you can be proud of.