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.

Holiday Gifts Ideas for Gardeners

20 Gift Ideas For The Gardener on Your List

So you have a family member or good friend who gardens.  What sort of gift does she want?  What kind of gift does he need?

Let's be honest, we gardeners, or those we know, are always on the lookout for something to feed our passions.  Here are just a few  gift ideas.....

• garden gloves 

These long cuff leather gloves are perfect for the rose garden - thorns are less likely to snag forearms and fingers.

Wind chimes

Some wind chimes are made of bamboo, some of multi-tonal metal, and like this blue one, glass.

Yard Art

These glass yard ornaments take on a magical element that any garden can use.

Glass Rooting Vases

Pretty and practical - just tuck in a stem and watch to roots grow.

Boots

Waterproof  footwear let gardeners be classy, even in the mud.

Potted Gardens

Cute and Clever 

These small tabletop gardens are available at local garden centers and florists.  You could assemble this with a few supplies and give a 'creative' gift. 

Watering cans

This yard-sized can is handy outside, but smaller lightweight ones for houseplants are available too.



                                                        Outdoor clocks and thermometers

This gift will keep the gardener from 'letting the day slip away'--  well, at least, remind him to take time for a break.

Gazing Balls

The gazing ball is a familiar accent in the garden.  But today's gazing balls come with lights, or glow in the dark. They give the night time garden a whimsical element.

Hand Crafted Pottery

Many garden centers and local artisan centers will have unique pottery available.  Supporting local vendors is always rewarding for me. And your gift will be like no other.

Bird Baths 

This bird bath has a sprinkler-drip for moving water for the birds.  It is available at Wild Birds Unlimited.

Birdbaths can be ceramic, plastic, or glass.  

Bird Feeders

Feeders that attach to the outside of a window make bird watching an inside sport. The dine-around bird feeder is available here

Rain Barrels

Earthminded Rain barrel offers this good looking rain barrel with a planter to top it off.  Pretty and practical.

Windowsill Herb Garden

Try these classic pots with you favorite herbs for a fresh touch in all recipes all season long.

House plants

This is a 'money tree plant' also known as a Malabar Chestnut.   I've given this plant as office or housewarming gifts.  The five stem braided trunk is said to bring financial benefits into the  business or family.

If you give a houseplant as a gift, include a 'care sheet' for it.  The houseplant will have a better chance of survival, and the gardener will leave nothing to chance.   

Plant markers

Markers come in many sizes and shapes.  These copper ones can be etched with a pen for each plant identification. 

 Gardening Hand Tool Sets

Many ergonomic tools are available for easier handling. We gardeners love our tools. 

 Garden Carts

Carts are a necessary tool for most gardens.  Some carts  have two wheels. Others have four wheels and flatbeds - and the standard wheelbarrow is a favorite in most gardens.

Door Mats

This mat is made from coir - a coconut fiber that is a very renewable material.

Garden Center Gift Cards

Buy a gift card or discount member card.  Most Garden Centers offer them and your gift can be used whenever your gardener seeks the latest 'must haves'.

So even though  it does not feel like gardening weather, the holidays are not that far off.  It is time to consider what your gardeners can use.  Your gift to your gardener will be enjoyed throughout the years.