Mary, Mary Quite Contrary- How Green Does Your Garden Grow?

If you’re wanting to make your lawn and garden more eco-friendly, well, that’s a good thing. Considering the fact that the average suburban lawn uses six times the hazardous chemicals per acre, as conventional farming and that a gas mower emits 10 times as much hydrocarbon as a car, you’re sentiment is one that the earth is in need of. Although gardens have that illusion of being “green” just by their very nature, truth is, in most garden centers, the supply sources for many gardeners, you will likely find rows of chemical pesticides and nitrogen fertilizers, products that have been linked to serious illness and the production of carbon dioxide. So here are a few tips for you to lessen your footprint as you go about beautifying your outdoor space.

Try a natural approach to pesticides by appealing to the benefits of diversity. Plant a wide variety of different plants together and you’ll create a natural defense for unwanted insects. Your diversity in plants will not only be colorful, but will attract a diversity of predators who’ll pay you back by munching on unwanted guests. Another helpful natural pesticide hint is to use the pungent power of garlic. Yes, garlic is good to ward off mortal enemies, and it’s strong scent is useful in terms of preventing insects from finding their favorite host plants. But, you don’t want to stink up your whole garden or you’ll deter even the helpful insects.

Composting your organic materials and applying them to your garden is a great way to add friendly micro-organisms and great nutrients to your soil. Along these lines, did you know you can do some very easy composting of sorts by simply leaving your grass clippings to decompose? They’ll add nitrogen to your soil , which is what fertilizers aim to do. Also, they’ll stimulate some worm activity. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, yummy! Lawns love earthworms. So let things lie. Part of becoming a greener gardener, is to have a more “laiser faire” attitude when it comes to “controlling” everything.

Another lawn tip, is to cut your grass high, by setting your lawn mower to cut higher than usual. Taller blades of grass effectively absorb more sun, are better at pushing out weeds and conserve moisture by shading the soil. Three to four inches is an appropriate length, or think about only knocking off one-third of the grass height at each mowing.

Ideally, we shouldn’t be watering our gardens at all. But, if you must water, then do so consciously. Watering in the early morning or in the evening is best, as this is when there is the least amount of water evaporation. Use a soaker or drip hose to get water to the root’s where it is most needed.

If you’re lawn still needs an extra boost, consider the use of all organic fertilizers. These fertilizers release their nutrients more slowly into the soil and nourish laws more steadily and over a longer period of time. By using organic fertilizers, you’re making an effort to keep harmful toxic synthetic chemicals away from your family, and your neighborhood.