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10 Eco Friendly Tips For Your Garden

It's easier than ever to be eco friendly. Not only is it good for the environment, but it can help you to save lots of money as well! Here are just 10 things that you can do.

1. Collect rainwater. It's easy. Simply place a rain barrel underneath your house's downspouts. After it rains, store the water and use it to water your lawn and your garden. You won't have to worry about municipal watering restrictions and you'll save money at the same time!
2. Grow your own food or buy organically grown food. Organic farmers plant naturally disease resistant crops, they use crop rotation, composting and other methods to grow food. They are proof that it is easy to grow food without the use of chemicals, pesticides or artificial fertilizers. Best of all, organically grown food is better for you!
3. Use leaves for compost and mulch in your garden. Wait until the leaves are completely dry before raking them up. Then simply mix them into the soil before it freezes. Not only will the leaves add nutrients to the soil, but they will also help to retain much needed moisture all year long. That means bigger and healthier plants that will be the envy of the neighbourhood.
4. Don't cut your grass too short. Set the blades in your lawnmower so that it leaves the grass about three inches long. As well, leave the grass clippings on the lawn to help retain moisture and protect the roots. By doing just these two things, you will have a greener and healthier lawn.
5. Buy local produce. Fresh fruits and vegetables have more nutrients and taste so much better. Part of the reason for this is that produce starts to loose nutrients as soon as it is picked. As well, farmers that have to transport their crops a longer distance will pick it before it is ripe, so that it won't rot before it gets sold in a grocery store. Food that is picked after it has ripened just tastes better. Plus, if you buy locally, the money stays in the local economy and that's better for everyone.
6. When choosing which plants to grow in your garden, always go with native plants. These plants are acclimatized to the local weather patterns, which means that they don't need to be watered often or have artificial fertilizers added to the soil. Not only does that mean less work for you, but it also means that you don't have to spend a lot of money to have beautiful and healthy plants.
7. Keep your house cool naturally by installing white window awnings. They are more effective than blinds or drapes in keeping the hot sun out. Plus, if you go for the white awnings, they will reflect more sunlight than any other colour. The cooler you can keep your house, the less air conditioning you need and that saves you money!
8. If you are going to buy a condo, choose one with a green roof. If you already live in a condo, form a committee to create a green roof. The green roof is essentially a garden that is built on the roof of a condo and they have many benefits. The plants help to absorb carbon dioxide from the air. The garden provides more living space for the residents of the building. Most importantly, they also reduce heat loss from the building in the winter, while helping to keep it cool in the summer.
9. Avoid using pesticides, chemicals and artificial fertilizers in your garden. You don't need the toxins from them and neither does the wildlife that visits your garden. There are many other options out there, such as using manure, composting and beneficial plants and insects to promote a healthy garden without spending money.
10. Soak your lawn once a week and then leave it alone. The deeper watering encourages the roots of your lawn to grow deeper into the ground. Not only will they be able to withstand droughts easier, but they will also be able to withstand the extreme weather changes of cold winters and hot summers.

Make the tips listed above a part of your lifestyle. Soon, you won't even have to think about how to be eco friendly because you will already be there!

 

 

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