Green Gardening
You have been blessed with a green thumb, but are your growing techniques really eco-friendly?
Gardening is a very relaxing pastime if you take the time to enjoy it, but it's also a perfect first step to take in the direction of sustainable living. If you think about it, nature is already built to take care of and renew itself without the addition of harmful chemicals - all it really needs is a little time and the respect for nature's natural processes. Here are some ways to get your garden greener with green gardening habits!
Water
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$19.99
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The Home Depot
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Concerns about our dwindling water reserves have become more and more present recently. Predictions that seemed impossible a few years ago are becoming very real, and now it is imperative that we do everything in our power to protect our water supplies.
Watering is a necessity if you expect your plants to survive our hot Canadian summers, but the following tricks will help maximize the benefits of that water to your plants:
First of all, adding mulch and compost to your soil will help retain the moisture. Watering early in the morning or later in the evenings gives plants the opportunity to absorb the water before the heat of the sun causes it to evaporate.
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$69.00
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Sears Canada
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Choose a soaker hose instead of a regular sprinkler system as it will use up to 50% less water while directing moisture straight to your plants' roots.
It is most effective to soak your lawn once or twice a week so that moisture is able to thoroughly penetrate the soil. It is also a good idea to put your watering system on a timer.
Directing rain from a downspout into a rain barrel is another great way to diminish water waste. The water you collect is perfect for use in your garden, on your lawn, or even for washing your car. When installing your rain barrel, there are a few things to keep in mind however:
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$109.99
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Canadian Tire Corp
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- Choose a downspout as close to your garden as possible and make sure that the ground is level, as the weight of water might cause an already wobbly barrel to tip over.
- You will need to cut your downspout and install a diverter to direct the water into the barrel.
- Your barrel will fill up a lot quicker than you think, so it's important to install an overflow tube (that you can run through your garden for automatic watering) to keep your foundation from getting damaged.
- A screen covering the opening of the barrel will help keep the water clean.
- Use the water from your barrel often to ensure it is kept fresh.
- Empty your water barrel to less than a quarter full before the first frost of the year.
Fertilizing
Avoid chemicals at all costs as they will leave toxins in the ground and water. Composting is not only a natural solution for feeding your plants, but it helps retain water and cuts evaporation too. Organic waste represents around 40% of a household's garbage, and when it reaches the landfills it produces methane gas, which is one of our worst contributors to the green house effect.
If you don't have the space to start your own composting, there are good, natural (pesticide-free) Fertilizers on the market. As long as you follow the manufacturer's instructions, these products will be better for your plants and soil. Never take for granted that the use of chemical-free products not only helps our environment stay healthy, but our families as well.
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Garden Tools
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$69.00
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The Home Depot
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$26.99
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Sears Canada
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$59.99
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Canadian Tire Corp
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Pest Control
Be specific. Target one species of bug you need to get rid of instead of killing every living creature that approaches your plants. There are options on the market that are designed to only target the pests that feed on your plants. Remember that most insects are good – actually, only 3% are considered pests. Once again, chemicals are not the only answer, but if you absolutely must use them, do it later at night when beneficial insects are less active and less likely to be exposed to your chemicals.
Plants
Decreasing the size of your lawn will help conserve valuable drinking water. After all, your grass is the most irrigated crop in your garden! Consider digging out some space for a vegetable garden: growing your own organic fruits and veggies will save you money and water in the long run.
Planting indigenous species in your yard will help conserve water - don't try to build a rain forest in your backyard if you live somewhere really dry. If you absolutely need a rainforest, move or go on holidays!
Also, sort your plants according to the amount of water they require: place the high-water consuming plants lower down a slope, than low-water consuming species. If you use pots, use recycled planters.
Check out Home Depot's Garden center if you would like more detailed information on plants and their needs.
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Eco Planters
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$16.99
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Canadian Tire Corp
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$16.99
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Canadian Tire Corp
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$6.99
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The Home Depot
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Responsible Mowing
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$579.00
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The Home Depot
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Gas mowers not only produce gas emissions, but also dreadful noise pollution. Sometime or another, we have all been woken up on a Sunday morning by an overly zealous neighbour trying to obtain a golf course green in his back yard!
These days, there are many alternatives on the market and the good old manual mower remains the greenest of them all. Manual mowers are good for the environment and good for the body so get out there and get moving! If you require motorized help, rechargeable and solar models make a great environmentally friendly choice.
For more detailed information on all your lawnmower options, click here to refer to our comprehensive guide on lawnmowers.
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