The recent boom of eating organic, sustainably sourced meals has gone beyond just being a trend. It’s become an indelible practice among many, for good reason. We all must do our part to cushion the destructive impact we have put on our planet.
Buying food from conscious stores is one thing. Growing your own is another. If there’s anything good that came out from this pandemic, it’s that more people have learned the value of gardening. It’s not only for food sourcing. It is also a means for us to find peace during unprecedented times.
Rethinking gardening
Despite being beneficial, gardening does have its ways of harming the environment. For one, having your seeds or growing kits flown across the country equates to a good amount of carbon emissions. Furthermore, the use of herbicides and pesticides is polluting the planet as well as the food you put on the table.
It’s time we rethink gardening and find more ways to do it more sustainably. Below is a simple yet informative guide to eco-friendly gardening.
Gardening sustainably
1. Plant what you need
Planting for necessity evokes a sense of minimalism and reminds us of what’s truly needed. When you grow a garden that has all the vegetables, herbs and fruits that you will surely enjoy, you’re saving Mother Nature from a lot of trouble. You are growing mindfully and taking only what you need.
2. Garden by hand
If you are fit and capable enough, garden by hand. Growing sustainably means trying your best to lessen the use of heavy machinery that can be toxic to the environment. Another benefit is that you are able to break a sweat, which helps to keep your body in tip top shape
3. Recycle, recycle, recycle
From using your papers and coffee grounds for your compost to repurposing materials as garden supplies, learn to recycle. There are so many household items that you already have that can be quite functional for your garden. Instead of buying new pots, why not use old containers or accumulated plastic bottles? Instead of buying new decorations, utilize pieces of wood or even tires.
4. Collect rainwater
Contrary to popular belief, the world doesn’t have an infinite source of water. Much of the planet’s water has been depleted or toxified. So it is up to us to be more responsible green gardeners. It’s essential for us to conserve as much water as we can.
One trick is to collect rainwater and plant mindfully. Place your plants and trees on areas that will receive enough rain but won’t drain them. Have a bucket on standby to collect so you can reuse to water your plants on other days.
5. Support your local seedbanks and gardening shops
One pivotal way to garden sustainably is to keep it local. Skip the excessive carbon footprints and reach out to your local plant nurseries, seed banks and gardening shops. Not only do you get to support local businesses. You are also doing what you can to save the environment.
It doesn’t take a lot of effort to make your home garden a truly green and eco-friendly one. Live by these tips and you’ll be creating one beneficial ecosystem right at your doorstep.
