I’m not big on New Year’s Resolutions (I’ve been burned by gym membership cancellation fees one too many times), but there’s definitely no harm in trying to go green and start an eco garden! This year, even just making a few small changes can significantly impact the environment and our local wildlife. It’s easier than you might think! Here’s some inspiration to get you started on your eco-friendly, ultra-green garden!
How Do You Make an Eco Garden?
You might be a bit puzzled about how to create an eco garden. After all, isn’t a garden pretty eco-friendly as it is? Well, it can quickly become more damaging to the environment than it is helpful if you aren’t strategic about your use of resources.
The key principles of creating a green garden are sustainability, protection of wildlife, and waste reduction. By keeping these values in mind, you can develop all sorts of ingenious innovations to keep your garden thriving without harming the environment. Gardening is about making our greenspace better than we found it. With a little creativity and mindfulness of the world around us, we can spark major positive change!
Eco Garden Ideas For a Green 2021
Here are easy ways to create an eco-friendly green garden this year. You’ll love the payoff of beautiful flowers and delicious organic produce, and the local wildlife will be pretty stoked about it too!
Use Eco-Friendly Garden Products
Weeding and dealing with plant pests and diseases are the bane of any gardener’s existence. So, to make things easier, many folks are quick to reach for chemical solutions that zap the problem fast. The problem is, those chemicals don’t just target your garden enemies. They also pose a threat to birds, pollinators like bees and butterflies, and even our family pets! Plus, all those chemicals leaching into the soil can have nasty long-term effects.
To avoid using chemical pesticides and herbicides while sparing yourself the grief of constant weed pulling, or losing your plants to insect damage, use green garden products! Rather, try using organic pre-emergent herbicides in early spring to help stop weeds from germinating in the first place. Natural pest control products like insecticidal soap, neem oil, and beneficial bug boxes safely tackle pest problems without all the toxic chemicals!
Start Composting
Not only will compost feed your eco garden with loads of nutrients and healthy bacteria, but it’ll also reduce your household waste! Simply setting up a bin in the yard and dumping in all your biodegradable, non-hazardous waste creates a highly valuable soil amendment and source of fuel for your plants. There’s a reason why they call it black gold!
Keep in mind, there are some things that can’t go in the compost bin and others that you can add in small amounts. I recommend printing up a little cheat sheet to stick on the fridge. That way, you can quickly reference it when you’ve got kitchen scraps to toss away.
Plant Native
Choosing native species to plant in your garden is one of the easiest ways to greenify your eco garden! For starters, native species have adapted to survive here independently, so they need way less water than exotic tropical imports. On top of that, the local pollinators prefer native wildlife best because they find comfort in the familiar. As someone who has re-watched The Office seven times over, I can relate to that feeling.
Spread Natural Mulch
A natural mulch like shredded bark, straw, or mulched leaves is an invaluable addition to your garden! They help conserve moisture, block weeds from sprouting, break down over time, and deliver nutrients into the soil. Simply spread a layer across the soil surface, and you’re done! Just make sure you don’t pile it up around the base of your plants, as this can collect bacteria. Also remember to opt for a mulch that is free from chemical dyes because you don’t want those leaching into the soil.
Start Upcycling
No need to splurge on fancy plant pots and garden art when you can just use your noggin’ and create your own with items you already have! Seriously, if you try hard enough, you can turn anything into a plant pot. I’ve seen chests of drawers, old work boots, clothing racks, and even broken toilets get turned into eco garden plant displays. Broken porcelain and glassware can be pressed into concrete for eco-friendly stepping stones!
Take a look around the garage or the basement to see if there’s any old junk collecting dust that could be given new life in the garden! Browse Pinterest and Instagram for some inspiration to get the wheels turning in your brain. You never know””that dumpy old dresser could become the conversation piece that makes your eco-green garden truly spectacular!
Be Creative
At the end of the day, it’s our creativity and innovation that sets humans apart from flora and fauna. By using our creative brains for good, we can help protect the world around us! The best way to tap into your creative brain is to relax and space out a bit, and in my opinion, the best place to do that is in the garden. Take some time to kick back and survey the scenery while sipping a tasty bevy, and soon enough, lightning will strike!
If you need sustainable gardening supplies in Edmonton, Salisbury has got you covered! Visit the greenhouse to see what’s new for 2021, and feel free to ask our experts for any tips on how to reduce your carbon footprint in the garden. We really do have a passion for all things green!
