Homeowners with a green thumb are trying to adapt eco-friendly gardening and landscaping techniques to make their homes greener. Unwittingly you can do things which can be harmful for your surrounding environment. People who live in urban areas lack patience and they rely on quick remedies like insect killers or weed killers to make their gardens look great.
Using such toxic products can damage your environment and also pose a risk for your kids and pets. There are several simple ways of making your garden and backyard a more eco-friendly and safe place. Some creative and innovative ideas for this purpose have been shared in the following.
Invite the friendly bugs
There are some bugs which only destruct and ruin your garden and also others who eat the harmful bugs and help you in return of a living space. Ladybirds, lacewings and ground beetles can make your garden prosper. Both ladybug and lacewings eat blackfly, which is a type of aphid. The aphids can infest your flower beds and eat the beautiful sunflowers or marigolds. The friendly, harmless bugs will protect your garden by eating the aphids.
Buy and use certified wood
The wood we use for home decoration and landscaping is generally treated with chemicals. The toxic chemical fumes these woods give off can cause health troubles. Always buy certified wood which have not been chemically treated. This will help you in reducing the negative impact on earth and your surrounding environment. You should only buy wood certified by Forest Stewardship Council. The rot resistant wood species grown in your locality is a much better option as it will last longer and require less maintenance.
Make recycling and reusing a part
Instead of buying costly décor items for your garden, you can reuse or recycle old things to make your own unique decorations. The DIY lovers should try to collect repurposed wood and other recycled items for creating innovative designs. You can ask the workers at nearby construction sites for salvaged metals and other materials. Recycling and reusing can always reduce your carbon footprint and help you make a positive impact on the environment.
Use more native plants for landscaping
Many homeowners make the mistake of using exotic plants in their gardens and landscapes for making it look more unusual. Exotic plants require lots of maintenance. Taking care of them can be a time consuming and costly affair. If you choose native plants then you will not have to worry about their health. Native plants are accustomed to the climatic changes of your place and also have better resistant to common plant diseases. They need less maintenance than their exotic counterparts.
Use drip irrigation system and go solar
Water is a major resource for the human civilization and wasting water is equal to a moral crime. Not only you will be wasting something that millions cannot avail but also your water bills will increase if not checked. Drip irrigation system is pragmatic as it waters the plants directly without wasting water. This type of irrigation systems are 90% efficient. The common sprinklers used in gardens are almost 30% less efficient than drip irrigation systems.
Use rain barrels for storing water during monsoon seasons. This will also help you in reducing the water bills and maintenance cost of garden. Buy solar lamps for your gardens which will charge all day long and store solar energy for later use.
You can make your garden greener and more eco-friendly through several simple ways. Do not use toxic chemicals and give more attention to locally available trees and plants.
