One of the big fables is that if you have a garden you must be positively impacting the environment. Truth is, unfortunately, that gardens can be really bad for the environment if not done properly. Pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers and exotic species can all have very negative effects on the environment as a whole and can be lethal to kids and pets as well.The good news is that there are lots of ways to maintain your gorgeous garden and lawn and still be eco-friendly. I have compiled some of my favorite ways to stay green in my garden.1. Welcome Friendly Bugs That Eat Insect Pests.
Ladybugs and lacewings eat aphids such as blackfly that destroy crops, so plant bright flowers such as candytuft, sunflowers and marigolds, and create places where these bugs can shelter and lay their eggs.
Praying Mantis are also excellent hunters of garden wrecking bugs. Be careful not to include large Mantis to your garden as reports are showing that some non-native species are attacking small birds like the hummingbird.
You can buy Beneficial Insects online and have them shipped directly to you. I’ve included some links below.https://www.planetnatural.com/product-category/natural-pest-control/beneficial-insects/https://www.amazon.com/1500-Live-Ladybugs-Guaranteed-Delivery/dp/B00533KOIC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1523399910&sr=8-2&keywords=beneficial+insects2. Welcome Bug-Eating Birds
Birds eat slugs, snails, grubs, caterpillars and other pests that destroy plants. Put up birdfeeders and nesting boxes (including those you have made) to encourage more to visit.3. Don’t forget about your Bees.
Bees are essential to any garden and are relatively easy to please. Attract them with lots of colourful flowering plants. Try to include a variety to attract as many as possible and also try to include early flowering plants to attract and feed them early on in the spring. If they find your garden in the spring, when they are most likely to be hungry, they are sure to stick around.4. Consider Companion Planting
Companion planting, where two or more plants are grown close together, can sometimes help to ward off pests. Marigolds are believed to deter flying insect pests and soil pests from nearby crops. Grow a variety of plants to prevent one crop from being devastated by pests or disease.5. Stop the Slugs and Snails
Slugs and snails can be formidable pests. Around containers, a band of copper, water-displacement spray or petroleum jelly can deter them. Barriers such as grit and crushed eggshells scattered around plants can also be tried. Slug pellets that are not harmful to wildlife or children are the most reliable controls.6. Compost, Compost ,Compost
Set up a compost bin. Make sure it’s in a warm, partly sunny site on top of some soil. A mix of vegetable peelings, garden waste and fibrous woody brown material like paper or cardboard provide the right conditions for encouraging compost-making bugs. The rich, nutritious compost will be ready to use after six to nine months. Here’s a great link to a starter guide to composting.https://dirtcheap.ca/mulch-topsoil-grass-seed-delivery/compost-garden-soil/ 7. Recycle Packaging
Recycle all kinds of everyday packaging and old plastic and wooden containers as pots for plants. Smaller containers can be used to get seeds started and then, once the seedlings become established, they can be transplanted into larger containers.Check out these links to get inspired on how to make your garden the greenest around.https://www.pinterest.ca/norwex/eco-gardening/?lp=truehttps://www.pinterest.ca/norwex/eco-gardening/?lp=trueGet a free home evaluation here
Ladybugs and lacewings eat aphids such as blackfly that destroy crops, so plant bright flowers such as candytuft, sunflowers and marigolds, and create places where these bugs can shelter and lay their eggs.
Praying Mantis are also excellent hunters of garden wrecking bugs. Be careful not to include large Mantis to your garden as reports are showing that some non-native species are attacking small birds like the hummingbird.
You can buy Beneficial Insects online and have them shipped directly to you. I’ve included some links below.https://www.planetnatural.com/product-category/natural-pest-control/beneficial-insects/https://www.amazon.com/1500-Live-Ladybugs-Guaranteed-Delivery/dp/B00533KOIC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1523399910&sr=8-2&keywords=beneficial+insects2. Welcome Bug-Eating Birds
Birds eat slugs, snails, grubs, caterpillars and other pests that destroy plants. Put up birdfeeders and nesting boxes (including those you have made) to encourage more to visit.3. Don’t forget about your Bees.
Bees are essential to any garden and are relatively easy to please. Attract them with lots of colourful flowering plants. Try to include a variety to attract as many as possible and also try to include early flowering plants to attract and feed them early on in the spring. If they find your garden in the spring, when they are most likely to be hungry, they are sure to stick around.4. Consider Companion Planting
Companion planting, where two or more plants are grown close together, can sometimes help to ward off pests. Marigolds are believed to deter flying insect pests and soil pests from nearby crops. Grow a variety of plants to prevent one crop from being devastated by pests or disease.5. Stop the Slugs and Snails
Slugs and snails can be formidable pests. Around containers, a band of copper, water-displacement spray or petroleum jelly can deter them. Barriers such as grit and crushed eggshells scattered around plants can also be tried. Slug pellets that are not harmful to wildlife or children are the most reliable controls.6. Compost, Compost ,Compost
Set up a compost bin. Make sure it’s in a warm, partly sunny site on top of some soil. A mix of vegetable peelings, garden waste and fibrous woody brown material like paper or cardboard provide the right conditions for encouraging compost-making bugs. The rich, nutritious compost will be ready to use after six to nine months. Here’s a great link to a starter guide to composting.https://dirtcheap.ca/mulch-topsoil-grass-seed-delivery/compost-garden-soil/ 7. Recycle Packaging
Recycle all kinds of everyday packaging and old plastic and wooden containers as pots for plants. Smaller containers can be used to get seeds started and then, once the seedlings become established, they can be transplanted into larger containers.Check out these links to get inspired on how to make your garden the greenest around.https://www.pinterest.ca/norwex/eco-gardening/?lp=truehttps://www.pinterest.ca/norwex/eco-gardening/?lp=trueGet a free home evaluation here