How to Create a Sustainable Garden

With all the talk about going green and sustainability, it seems that many of us are looking for ways to decrease our carbon footprints. However, there are lots of changes that we can make that will help us go green without having to buy specialty appliances, or conduct structural changes to our homes. One way to help offset your carbon footprint is with strategic sustainable gardening. Here are some ideas of how you can go green by creating a sustainable garden.

Image via Hursthouse Landscape Architects, www.hursthouse.com

Xeriscaping

One of the most useful ways to create a sustainable garden is to xeriscape. Xeriscaping involves incorporating plants that will need very little, if any supplemental irrigation. Since artificial irrigation and watering isn’t necessary, there is far less water being wasted to evaporation and run-off. The key here is to utilize as many drought tolerant water wise plants as possible. Xeriscaping doesn’t just benefit those living in arid areas, like San Diego, but it can also be used in wetter climates, too. It’s a lot like playing matchmaker with your plants and your local climate. Using San Diego drought-tolerant plants is one example of how to xeriscape in a dry climate like Southern California.

Preparing the Soil

Soil grading generally involves making physical changes to the soil in order to make it more suitable for the plants and reducing water waste. One method is to slope the soil or ground in a way that benefits the plants with little excess remaining. It is also a good idea to consider the type of soil that you have and what type of soil your plants will prefer. You can amend the soil to help retain or drain water in way that reduces the amount of water that is going to waste by adding clay or sand (respectively). However, it greatly depends on the plant and soil conditions, so make sure to ask your local nursery expert for tips on setting up your sustainable garden.

Mulch

Another method of moisture retention for the soil is with mulching. With a sustainable garden, it is best to use a type of mulch that was harvested in a way that didn’t damage the environment where it was extracted, and that will not cause environmental issues with its disposal. For this reason, many people with sustainable gardens avoid the use of any type of plastic or rubber based mulch, as their biodegradation takes several years, if not decades, thereby putting additional strain on landfills. Mulch can also be a great way to help attract earthworms, as well as helping to establish colonies of helpful mycorrhyzal fungi and diazotrophic bacteria which help improve the soil chemistry of their plant hosts.

Compost

Another way to reuse something that would have otherwise gone to waste is to make your own compost. This is accomplished by composting biodegradable household waste like fruit peels, coffee and tea grinds, egg and nut shells, shredded newspaper, dryer lint, tissues, grass and plant clippings (not weeds though), and yes, even urine. These products, which would have otherwise most likely ended up in a landfill (or sewer) can now be put to good use by providing your garden with essential nutrients.

Biological Pest Management

Just remember, the idea is to allow your garden to grow as naturally as possible with very little human intervention. If your garden is in need of pest removal, it is best to first utilize biological pest control methods, like introducing ladybugs, for example, to control aphid infestations. If you’re trying to eliminate an infestation of red palm mites on your palm trees, for instance, consider introducing some predatory lacewings which feed off of the pesky mites. See, not all bugs are all bad. When it comes to supplementing other gardening chemicals, you might consider using certain household items, like baking soda, to treat plant diseases like black spot and powdery mildew. There are many different types of biological pest control methods, so be sure to consult your local nursery for advice.

Related Topics:

1. How to Create and Maintain an Organic Garden
2. 10 Ways to Go Green In Your Garden
3. Having a Successful Summertime Organic Veggie Garden