Implementing sustainable gardening principles is one way of combatting the environmental changes we are facing, and by taking small steps in the right direction, we can all do our part.
There are 5 main types of sustainable gardening practices:
- Water conservation
- Organically enriching the soil
- Integrative pest management
- Composting kitchen and yard waste
- Plant diversity in the garden
- Water conservation This is a key aspect of sustainable gardening as the efficient use of water use in the garden is important when a water shortage looms upon us. Collecting rainwater and using it in the garden reduces reliability on the municipal water system. Another way is to implement automated irrigation systems that use sensors to water plants at optimal times, ensuring they receive the right amount of moisture without wasting water Collected water from home use can also be used for watering plants in the garden.
- Organic soil enrichment The cornerstone of a successful garden can be attributed to soil health. The practice of home composting not only reduces waste, it also greatly helps the garden soil. By incorporating compost to compacted soil, air, water and nutrients are added to the soil, thereby improving soil structure and fertility. Composting reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.
- Integrated pest management Pesticides are harmful to pollinators and beneficial insects, as not all garden bugs are bad. Integrated pest management (IPM) is a commons sense approach that manages pests in a practical and environmentally friendly way. IPM aims at understanding the natural predators of garden pests and promotes their presence in the garden.
- Composting kitchen and yard waste Compost is organic waste that breaks down or “decomposes” into a nutrient rich soil. When the nitrogen and carbon chemicals found in a compost pile are mixed with air and water, a perfect environment for bacteria, moulds, worms and insects is created which feed on the organic matter and break it down. When the resulting compost is mixed with normal soil, a healthy environment is created to help plants, flowers and crops grow faster and stronger.
- Plant diversity Successful gardens embrace biodiversity in plants, as opposed to monoculture which is the practice of growing only one type of plant or flower. A garden with a variety of plants will be more resilient to pests and diseases than a monoculture garden with only one type of plant, as different plants have their own disease resistance mechanisms. Also, a diverse garden will feature an array of colors, scents and textures that makes it more interesting.