Top 3 Ways To Build An Eco-Friendly Garden
People throughout the world are becoming more environmentally conscious every single year. This has led to a rise in things like sustainable landscaping and eco-friendly gardening. Basically, practices like this refer to the construction of new gardens using environmentally friendly techniques.
These include things like reducing chemical and fertiliser use, planting native species and encouraging local wildlife to visit your garden. If you’re thinking about using eco friendly landscaping materials in your own environmentally friendly outdoor space, then keep reading! Here are my top 3 ways to create an eco-friendly garden:
- Plant Native Species
According to www.gardenspec.com.au planting native species is probably one of the best ways to make sure that your new garden is a environmentally friendly gardening. Try and choose species which grow in your local area, and try and plant a variety of different natives that complement each other.
Although they aren’t as commonly used in urban gardens as they probably should be, native plants come with a whole range of benefits, including:
- They provide essential habitat for native wildlife like birds and small mammals.
- If you choose natives from your area, they will be tough and suited to the climate. This means that they will need little maintenance.
- In the same way, they will be suited to your soil type. Most Australian natives are very hardy, requiring little fertiliser or nasty chemicals.
If you’re not sure what sort of native species you should plant in your area, do some research online or head into your local nursery and speak to an expert.
- Don’t Be Too Tidy
Sure, a lot of people love to keep their outdoor spaces sparkly clean and tidy. However, you need to realise that a lot of native species actually rely on so called ‘messy’ spaces for habitat and protection. Reptiles and insects will make use of fallen leaves and dead plant material for shelter. Birds like old growth and bushy plants that they can use to build their nests.
Next time you feel like you’re garden’s getting a bit messy and that you should spend an afternoon cleaning it up, don’t bother. Let nature take its course – your local wildlife will thank you!
- Plant Vegetables
A lot of people think that eco-friendly gardening is nothing more than eliminating chemicals and planting the right species. However, it’s more than this. Growing your own vegetables is a great way to make your garden more environmentally friendly. Doing this will reduce the transport costs, carbon footprint and toxic chemicals that are associated with the vegetables you consume regularly.
If you enjoy getting outside and gardening from time to time, you should definitely plant some vegetables!
Final Word
Sustainable gardening is becoming more and more popular. If you want to make your garden more sustainable, you need to think carefully about the plant species you use. Consider leaving at least some of your outdoor areas ‘messy’ and unkempt so that wildlife has somewhere to live, and think about planting your own vegetables. Most importantly, have fun!