Making the most of your garden can be so simple. Don’t miss opportunities to elevate the space with hacks for soil or plant health, reduced waste, and cost savings!
Gardeners from all experience levels – from beginner to expert – can benefit from the following practices. Read about ten awesome methods for a sustainable garden below:
1. Planting Natively
This hack is a time-saver as well as an eco-friendly option. Planting natively is a great way to reduce time spent on maintenance because native plants are already adjusted to your climate. Here in Southern Idaho, we have a unique climate that is “high desert” and “semi-arid,” meaning we have to consider both drought tolerance AND frost tolerance for our outdoor plants. This, along with microclimates that create hot and cold pockets in different parts of our local area, can create unique challenges that require more expense catered toward watering, fertilizing, or generalized care for a plant that isn’t made for this climate. Great native varieties you can incorporate include Rocky Mountain Penstemon, Flax, Lewis’ Mock Orange, Rabbitbrush, Coneflower, Yarrow, and Bitterbrush.
2. Ditch the Pesticides
We get it – pest control is hard. Dang grasshoppers and billbugs! Not to mention deer, rabbits, and other thieving critters. It is tempting to opt for the harmful – albeit effective – chemical solutions. When you’re growing sustainably, though, there are options that will keep your fruit and veggies safe without a harmful environmental impact. The ecosystem you create matters, so try introducing some beneficial bugs to prey on nasty little aphids and the like. Companion planting – we’ll touch on this more in a bit – can create a better anti-pest environment too. Organic sprays, like neem oil or a garlic and chili mixture, are awesome options. Physical barriers like row covers, netting and fences are helpful for denying access to critters big and small.
3. Opt for Perennials over Annuals
Perennials are awesome because you get more of a bang for your buck. They come back every year, and if you take good care of them, they can really thrive too. Not only do perennials save your money, but as a perennial establishes it also benefits the soil structure in your garden. There are so many options of perennial plants, you should have no trouble finding what’s exactly right for your space!
4. Make Your Own Compost!
Got some strawberry tops, banana peels, or eggshells? Most folks see these and think of them as trash, but your soil thinks of them as treasures. A lot of the same nutrients and compounds that your soil benefits from can be found in the food scraps that you have on hand. It is important to pay attention to what you put in your homemade compost, however, because it’s not a free-for-all.
Learn the do’s and don’ts of compost here.
5. Companion Planting
Companion planting is an easy, natural way to improve multiple aspects of your garden. Companion plants are plants that, when put close together in a garden bed, provide benefits, either mutually or in a one-sided relationship. For example, planting marigolds in next to your tomatoes help attract pollinators and repel pests that want to harm your tomato plant. Some plants don’t like being next to each other too, so it’s helpful to learn which plants vibe together so they can thrive together.
Printable FREE Companion Planting PDF HERE!
There’s plenty more you can do to create a sustainable garden, but that’s all for now. Come chat with our Garden Center experts anytime to learn more! We hope to see you soon.
