Is Your Garden Sustainable?

 

Gardening Ideas to Reduce Our Environmental Impact

November 15 is Recycle America Day in the US.  And I think this is a good time to look at our gardening habits and perhaps reduce our environmental impact - if even just a little bit.

Sustainability is one of those words that encompasses so many elements.  The concept is to reduce our use of natural resources of  water and fossil fuels. Conserving water goes in tandem to maintaining clean water.  Air pollution goes hand in hand with fuel emissions and manufacturing.

So I was trying to reduce this huge subject into a more meaningful conversation – What can I do, as a gardener to achieve more sustainable living practices?   Here are some of my ideas. 
Create and maintain a recycled garden.

Compost – Is the ultimate sustainable thing anyone can do. Recycle grass cutting, plant debris, food scraps,and paper. 

Compost

How does this reduce usage of natural resources? 1) No trash truck needs to use fuel to take your garbage to a landfill. 2) No plastic bags are needed to wrap up you garbage - Plastic that can stay in landfills for decades; and making plastic bags uses petroleum products, which are not renewable.

Plastic Bags of Refuse

  Recycle plastic pots

Pots Pile Up in the Potting Shed

This is a tough one for me, as my trash recycler does not take the black pots. Not the right code number - too dirty – whatever. So I take the containers back to the garden center where I bought the plants.( HINT: buy quart size plants. They use less plastic, and the transportation for more small containers, than costs for transportation for the fewer, larger ones. )
The containers should be washed out of soil.  The shredder that reduces this plastic for reuse gets bogged down if mud binds up machinery. 

Since some trash haulers do not take nursery containers, businesses are stepping in to take this huge source of plastic out of the landfills.  Lowe’s is one such company.

Once the pots and trays are returned to the store, they are picked up by local vendors and sorted. The reusable material is sterilized and reintroduced to the production cycle. Serviceable trays are recovered and reused in the growing, shipping and sale of live plants. Material not deemed reusable is crushed, banded and sent for recycling.

Rain Barrels capture free water

Collected rain water can be used to water plants. Rain water runoff is reduced. Reducing runoff lessens erosion, and reduces chemicals that get into the sewers, streams, and rivers. A typical 1 inch rain fall on a standard roof  of 1000 s/f can collect 600 gallons of rain water.  I have a Fiskars rain barrel as one of two I have in my yard.

Rain Barrel by Fiskars

Use newspapers as mulch

Newspaper as Mulch

Recycle Newspaper

Recycle with thick layers of newspaper, or cardboard. This effectively blocks weed seeds from germinating by blocking out the light.  The paper will decompose and add nutrients to the soil.  Cover with a layer of compost or decorative mulch for a more finished look. 

Reduce Water Usage

Forego (some of) the lawn.  Just because everyone has one, is not a reason to have one.  Up to 50% of home water usage is used on the lawn.  Rain water is not well absorbed by turf – only about 10% -  and runoff is high.  This can pollute area watersheds especially if chemicals are used for fertilizer and pest controls.

Water Runoff

Use Native plants – once natives are established, they need little supplemental watering. I have discussed Native Plants in a previous article. (Read it here.)

Native Echineacea

Use Mulch on Beds – Mulch can reduce water usage by keeping the sun and wind from drying out the soil.  Plants are not stressed by extreme soil temperatures either, since the mulch keeps the soil in a more even range.  Mulch in the fall only after the soil is near frozen as the insulation of the mulch may allow the soil to remain too warm and keep plants from hardening off sufficiently which can cause tissue damage in freezing temperatures.

Add Mulch to control Weeds and Conserve Water

Obviously, there is much a gardener can do to be more environmentally friendly.  Recycling plastics, recycling newspapers, reclaiming water, and reducing water use, are all key elements to a sustainable environment.  Sustainable living is multi-faceted, and these gardening ideas as just a few. 

What sustainable practices do you feel are important?  Tell us about them.  I love to get comments.  Thanks.

10 Money $aving Ideas for the Landscape

Nothing takes the fun out of a project than spending too much money and the end result got lost along the way.  Landscape projects can quickly get out of hand in costs and size.  Realistic plans that are doable are more likely not to break the bank. 

1) This is the planning part of the project.  Collect pictures of outdoor spaces that may work in your landscape.  Many times a professional landscape designer can actually save your money.

A design plan by a professional may have an upfront expense, but avoiding a costly do-over down the road is worth this added step.  Occasionally, I have had customers come to the garden center with photos of a space they are thinking of improving in their yard.  This is a great way to get an idea of plant sizes, colors, and costs.  Suggestions on plant spacing and maturity sizes can eliminate some experiences like these.



2) Realistic projects also help spread out the cost of an entire landscape





project over several seasons. Do-it-yourself projects may seem like a good option, but many mistakes and trips to the home improvement store can end up costing us in time and money.  Hiring  professionals for irrigation, or cement work is a good investment. Electrical outlets done wrong are annoying at best, and dangerous if done wrong.
 

3)  Sowing seeds instead of buying plants is another money saving step.  Certainly by starting seeds in small starter pots ahead of  sowing them outdoors can be easily done in a sunny windowsill. Direct seeding in beds can generate dozens of plants in a short period of time.
 


4)  Buying plants in small sizes can save money over buying larger potted sizes.  A quart perennial is cheaper than a gallon perennial.  Growers can charge less for the smaller quart sizes because they have less material used in the process.  Less soil, less containers, -  and more  smaller containers can be shipped, reducing fuel cost for transportation.


5)  In a similar thought, purchasing perennials rather than flats of annuals can save money.  The very fact that annuals need to be replaced ‘annually’ is the key.  And a border of perennials can be just as colorful when bloom times are staggered, and plants with colorful foliage are chosen. 



6) Perennials are plants that live at least three seasons.  Most live much longer.  As the second or third season comes around, perennials are easily divided, offering the landscape a new plant with no cost. I recently divided Hosta, 'Lime Delight'.  One clump gave me six root sections that I have spread around the garden to fill in black spaces.  Now that’s saving money!





I have picked up plants on the cheap at Garden Club plant sales, garage sales, and plant association sales like the Miami Valley Hosta Society is having Tuesday, May 7, 2013. Buying plants in this manner gives a chance to talk to the folks who grew the plant in your area.
 


7)  Compost is another great way to save money in the landscape.  No fertilizer bags to lug home from the store with that plastic packaging to dispose of in the trash.  Compost provides great organic material with no fuel cost to bring it to your home, no processing costs at a manufacturing facility, and  no chemicals to harm the soil, or leach into waterways.

At $3 per bag for trash haulers to remove grass clippings, it seems more economical to use a mulch mower and let grass clipping stay in the lawn.  This added organic matter is the same as one application of fertilizer – at not cost to the homeowner.


8)  Less lawn can save money too.  If we can save on gasoline to mow, less water used to keep lawns green, and less herbicides and insecticides are needed, money savings can definitely add up.


9)  Native plants, whether perennials, shrubs, or trees can save money long term in the landscape.  Native plants do not need to be babied with added fertilizer, excessive water, or pesticides.  Once established, native plants are quite pretty, and easy on the budget.



10)  One last tip on saving money in the landscape is to plan to purchase trees, shrubs, and perennials in the ‘off season’.  Many bargains can be found at garden centers and through landscapers in the fall and early winter.  Many of these folks do not want to store the plant material over the winter and are willing to offer great deals to the public.  As long as the ground is not frozen solid, trees and shrubs can be planted into winter.  Perennials may need time to get established before really cold temperatures arrive, so plan to pick perennials up in late summer and early fall to allow roots to take hold for best results. 
Planning landscape projects can save money.  Costly mistakes occur when we start a project that is too big and too complicated.
Consider what we bring in in terms of cost – soils, mulches, plants, cost of transportation, maintenance equipment needed.



Then be diligent in what the landscape produces as yard waste and disposal of leaves. Recycle yard debris and eliminate fuel costs of having it hauled away, and gain the added benefit of great organic material for the next seasons to come.

What thrifty practices do you incorporate in your landscape? 

Landscape Ideas For the Backyard Retreat

People are choosing to live a more laid-back life.  As our kids, jobs, and elderly parents need our time and energy, we are seeking a backyard retreat.  We do not need to travel far, and the accommodations are familiar. Why take a couple of hours for a road trip, when the lounge area in the backyard is right here!
Nature has a way of calming us like nothing else.  The rustle of leaves, dappled shade, the sound of crickets remind us of the true blessings of the garden. 


Surrounding ourselves in nature is a theme that landscapers have sensed recently. They are called upon to create quiet, relaxing outdoor spaces. To do this, natural elements are used.  Rocks, boulders stones offer a natural feeling.  Trees and shrubs are used too, but the easy, low maintenance trees and shrubs are requested.
 


Homeowners do not want to spend every weekend doing garden chores.  The choice to use native plant material is becoming more and more desirable as these plants are less likely to require expensive pesticide use, pruning or watering.
 
Plants with colorful foliage are a popular addition in the garden.  And using containers, rather than garden beds, cuts down on weeding, mulching, and watering.  Large bold leaves like this Canna give a focal point in the garden.



Along the same line of the large bold leaves, large bold large containers are being featured.  Two advantages I can think of are 1) the great impact, and wow value.  And 2) the easy of planting, and no weeding, or digging.


 
Using self-watering containers has the advantage of keeping the plant moist with a reservoir of water to minimize dragging out the hoses.

Self-water containers, Gardener's Supply

Ceramic self-water containers from Alibaba

Picking plants that are drought tolerant, may be the simple use of sedums and sempervivums.



Plants with silver foliage, like Lavender or Lamb’s Ear also need little water.

 

Connecting with nature in our backyards is not too challenging.  Reflect on what you like.  I equate this process much the same as buying a new pair of shoes. If the shoe doesn't fit, forget it.  If the shoe is a four-inch spiked heel and you want to go hiking….. well,… you get the picture.  So your outdoor space is what you want it to be.


Low maintenance, high impact is a common goal for patios and gardens. But high impact may also be the high priced items.  The budget may need to embrace this ‘wow’ item and then less expensive, more budget friendly plants may fill in the rest. Smart buyers can evaluate the ‘value’of a purchase. One element may be all that is needed.  It is this thinking of ‘less is more’ that sets today's consumer apart from the buy, buy, buy mentality of the past.

 


Getting out into nature is as simple as going out the back door.  Make your outdoor space special.

Outdoor Spaces–Important to Homeowners

Homeowners are making outdoor spaces more and more livable.  The health and wellness of the family is the important factor driving  the homeowner’s decisions on all types of purchases.  Today’s Garden Center Magazine has determined that even though the number of backyard vegetable gardens has dropped since 2011, 53% of homeowners still grow some vegetables or fruit. The majority of homeowners are extending the ‘natural’ products they will be seeking this year.

Young families and seniors are well aware of the dangers of chemicals on their food, and in their yards. According to Garden Writers Association Foundation (GWAF),  nearly twice as many gardeners plan to skip the chemicals and purchase organic products. 
Although 62% of those in the survey were somewhat concerned with the environment, but about one-fourth of those folks were also somewhat concerned with pest control.
 
When pest intrude on the outdoor space, the enjoyment of that space is compromised.  That concern drives buyers to seek ‘insect and disease resistant’ plant material.  Many growers are stepping up with new cultivars that speak to this issue. From roses and Monarda, to Lungwort and phlox, the disease resistance of powdery mildew and blackspot  is bred into many plants.  And investing in quality plants that will be less fussy and more durable has the gardener interested. Plant growers and landscape professionals all want the same thing – a satisfied customer.



The organic garden is becoming more user friendly, and plant breeders are responding with new plants.  However, native plants, whether perennials, shrubs, or trees, have an inherited resistance to insects and diseases. Using native plants, the gardener can reduce fungicides, insecticides, and water usage.

 
Another garden practice to lower use of chemicals is to plant plants in the right place.  If a full sun plant gets 6 – 8 hours of sun, it is less likely to suffer and weaken the plant making it susceptible to diseases and insects. By the same token, plants that require moist, shade will not do well in a sunny border that dries out regularly. Do not plant too densely, for air needs to circulate around plants to reduce molds and fungus growth. These considerations are key when the gardener wants to reduce maintenance in the garden and yet have a outdoor space that is pleasant and beautiful.

 

Although Native plants do not need extra nutrients added to the beds, the modern, savvy gardener knows that the soil is the key to healthy plants. Many ornamentals do need soil that is rich in nutrients, and drains well.  Adding organic material to the soil is realized in the form of compost, natural mulch, and organic fertilizers.
  


These applications of compost and mulch need only to be applied once a season.  The nutrients breaks down slowing and evenly, eliminating start and stop, irregular growth that can lead to leggy, weak plants.  And the mulch will greatly reduce weed seeds from germinating, reducing the use of herbicides. No weekly weed pulling, and reducing the number of fertilizer applications a year opens up more free time.
 
Reducing the maintenance in the garden opens up leisure time that can be spent in the extended outdoor space.  The health and wellness of relaxing is important to many. And who doesn’t like to relax, at lease a little.? 

Health and Wellness is a trend that is well worth the buyers consideration.  The value of plants outweighs the high maintenance of more finicky ones. Read labels and pick the brains of garden center associates, as they will be able to point you to those plants that will be a valuable part of your outdoor space. As a garden coach, I can give my local gardeners a working plan for a low maintenance garden that is beautiful.  Folks in SW Ohio, can email me at clynn493@aol.com, or clynn493@gmail.com.