Green gardening might seem like a redundant phrase but unfortunately it isn’t.
There are many ways to garden. Some are more environmentally friendly than others. People often learn gardening methods through family, neighbours, instructors or friends; some are good others are not.
Gardening starts with the soil. Soft, fertile soil that is full of well- rotted organic matter will grow a healthy garden.
It is best to add clean organic matter yearly.
Composts need not be time consuming. The secret is to add as combination of most green and brown material and turn it regularly.
Turning increases the oxygen supply helping it decompose quickly without being smelly.
Water is a resource that can appear abundant some years but not others. Placing rain barrels on the end of down spouts can often collect all the water the garden needs all season.
The water can be taken from the barrel using gravity flow system or watering cans.
Hand watering is labour intensive which means that less will be used than when watering is done by a tap than with a sprinkler.
When using a sprinkler be sure that it is adjusted to water areas that need watered as opposed to sidewalks and roads. Do not water in the heat of the day as much of the moisture will be lost to evaporations.
Water deeply once a week as opposed to a little every day as it encourages the roots to seek moisture in surrounding soil.
The garden is full of pests and how they are dealt with has a huge impact on the environment.
Many of the synthetic chemicals or poisons have been removed from the store shelves. They have been replaced by compounds that are made of poisons that are found naturally in nature.