Rain Barrels: Aquabarrel.com

       

 



 

Sustainable Gardening Practices

"Sustainable" is a word we're seeing everywhere lately and whether the subject is energy generation, logging or fishing, it generally means the ability to continue indefinitely without external inputs.  But here let's look at how to garden sustainably.


Using Organic Ingredients

Mulching all uncovered soil for water retention, weed control, and to improve the soil's structure. (Best are leaf compost, pine bark chips, and where dogs can't get to them, cocoa hulls.)  Here's lots more information about mulch and mulching.

Composting garden and kitchen waste. If more fertilizer is needed, using organic sources only, like aged manure, compost tea, and those that are fish- or seaweed-based.

Choosing pest-resistant plants.

For disease and insect problems, using prevention first (like ensuring good air circulation) and taking action only when a plant has been observed and found to be endangered.  Then using the least toxic methods first, like:


Avoiding broad spectrum insecticides like Sevin.

Weeding by hand or using a 10 percent vinegar solution (though according to this, it may not kill the roots). 

For lawns, using a high mower setting, applying an organic fertilizer in the fall, and spreading lime as needed.  Here's more information on environmentally responsible lawn care.  Also consult SafeLawns.org.

For Water Quality and Conservation


Using deciduous trees south of the home to create shade, evergreens on the north to stop winter winds.

Watering smart - directly to the root zone by hand or using soaker or drip irrigation, and preferably in the morning.  Avoiding sprinklers. Watering according to plant needs, not a rigid schedule. Watering infrequently but deeply, saving fine mists for newly planted seed only.

Grouping plants with similar water needs.

Reducing stormwater run-off using rain barrels and rain garden techniques.  (Rain gardens are depressions in the soil that are planted with water-loving plants.  For help in creating one, just Google the term.)

Stabilizing stream banks using water-loving plants that reduce soil erosion.

Minimizing bare soil and stabilizing slopes by planting ground covers.

Reducing or eliminating lawns.  (Lots more on that subject here.)

Minimizing the use of impervious surfaces so rainwater can be filtered before reaching the stormwater system.

Keeping trash, yard waste, fertilizers and de-icers off paved surfaces.

Choosing drought-tolerant plants, except in wet spots.

Weeding regularly (because weeds compete for water with the plants we want).

Letting lawns go dormant in the summer.

Let's Not Forget to Sustain the Gardener


While the advice listed above is frequently given by the environmental community, gardeners usually add one other element to the mix -  the human being, that species responsible for the care of this most unnatural of spot - the suburban or urban lot.  That means considering how much time the homeowner is willing to spend taking care of all this.  Fortunately, using the techniques outlined above, especially mulching and choosing easy-care plants, will greatly reduce the maintenance burden on the homeowner.  Further reductions in required maintenance are achieved by relying primarily on trees and shrubs (rather than perennials, annuals or vines), by planting in sweeps and masses (which looks better, too), and using simple curves around lawn or mowing strips.

Sustaining the gardener also means growing what we like and enjoy so that we'll continue to garden.  After all, by filling up our yards with plants, we gardeners are helping increase local plant and animal diversity, cleaning the air and filtering water, so gardening benefits the environment in so many ways. 

Finally, it means gardening economically, or at least within our budgets, so we'll keep at it.

This article was originally published in Maryland's Voice Newspapers.

If you have comments or additions to this article, send 'em along.

More Good Information in Print

And on Line

Not Recommended

Anything by Jerry Baker.  Here's one of several articles I've written about him.  Also, see The Truth about Garden Remedies listed above, written by an actual scientist.