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| Tips for Creating a Beautiful and Sustainable Garden |
Creating a Beautiful and Sustainable Garden
Gardeners don't have to be told how soothing it can be to work with the Earth between their fingers or how nice it is to detach from the distractions and complications of a constantly changing world. But their joy may be interrupted if they have fears in the back of their mind about the impact they're having on the environment — especially if they live in a location with water restrictions or that is suffering from a drought. To put those fears to rest, consider the following tips to grow a garden that is beneficial for everyone.Recycle the Seeds
Seeds are everywhere, and gardeners can use them to plant their gardens for next year as long as they can collect them in time. Before the seeds from flowers and fruits dry up and become unplantable, store them until they're ready to be planted again. These should be kept in areas that are cool but not cold and away from any places that won't encounter humidity or moisture.Veggies and fruits like peas and peppers are typically the easiest to save. This technique helps to ensure gardeners get the consistency they're looking for because each year's harvest will come from the same genetic line.
Mulch Early and Often
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| Mulching is good for gardens |
Every home's soil has its own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to growing different kinds of plants, but mulching is a smart move regardless of the individual gardener's goals.
Mulching gives the soil the moisture and nutrients it needs to produce healthy plants, and it keeps out the weeds while fluffing up the soil.
To create an even more sustainable garden, use compost in place of store-bought mulch. Gardeners will not only increase the space in their trash bags, but they'll also save money at their local nursery. In the same vein, look to manure as fertilizer to further decrease the footprint of a garden.
In addition to being a great sustainable addition to any garden, producing homemade mulch is an excellent DIY project.
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| Lawnmower |
Ditch The Gas-Powered Lawnmower
A gas lawnmower isn't the most environmentally-friendly way of mowing. In fact, just running it for an hour creates the same amount of pollution as 11 new cars all being driven for the same amount of time. Electric mowers are certainly better, but not as good as a manual version.A manual lawnmower is undoubtedly more work, but gardeners can switch their perspective by viewing mowing as a way to get some extra exercise in their life.
Make Use of Organic Fences
Organic fences are a rather interesting way to set a home apart from the traditional picket or wire fences that may have once been so popular in the neighborhood. Reclaimed wood and saplings can be artfully arranged to increase the level of privacy of a home without having to rely on unsustainable methods.The glue and laminate elements of many traditional fences can have a negative effect both during production and after the fence is finally taken down.
Consider Substitutes for Grass Lawns
The ideal image of a home is often one surrounded by lush grass, which is actually not ideal for areas that don't receive a lot of rainfall due to the amount of water needed to keep it alive. But succulents can be arranged and designed to look every bit as attractive as grass does without requiring expensive and wasteful sprinkler systems to maintain.For those who care about their property values, this choice doesn't have to bring down the value of a home. As long as the plants are both attractive and easy to maintain, homeowners may be more likely to want a succulent garden over the more traditional grass.
Related: How to Winterize Your Herb Garden And Save Your Plants
With all this talk about what to do outside your home, inside your home can oftentimes be an overlooked asset to your quality of life. Just like new furniture or the right color paint, what kind of plants you have inside your home will also impact the air quality and overall feel of your abode.
Related: How to Winterize Your Herb Garden And Save Your Plants
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| Don't forget about inside your home |
Don't Forget About Inside Your Home
With all this talk about what to do outside your home, inside your home can oftentimes be an overlooked asset to your quality of life. Just like new furniture or the right color paint, what kind of plants you have inside your home will also impact the air quality and overall feel of your abode. Hanging plants, as well as potted plants, can add a generous amount of color to a house and their upkeep is minimal while their payoff is extraordinary.
It's true that gardeners who want a sustainable home and garden are going to have to put a little extra work into transforming many of the property's core elements. But the green thumbs of the world can rest assured that they're making the right choice for both themselves and for future generations.
It's true that gardeners who want a sustainable home and garden are going to have to put a little extra work into transforming many of the property's core elements. But the green thumbs of the world can rest assured that they're making the right choice for both themselves and for future generations.
Each new step a person takes toward achieving sustainability is a way to encourage new methods that don't waste energy and increase home value through green technologies so everyone can enjoy new life for many years to come.
Author: Ron Neal, Founder of The Neal Real Estate Team, serving Victoria, BC with real estate expertise since 1991.
Inveigle magazine