5 Easy Ways to Make Your Garden More Sustainable
- Freda Garacho
- Apr 30
- 5 min read
Earth Day may be over, but here at Nurture Growth Bio Fertilizer, we celebrate our planet every day with a focus on environmental sustainability in our biofertilizer. For home growers and beginner gardeners, it’s vital to practice sustainable gardening practices because they affect us both in our backyard and globally.
This blog post will go over some practices to create a sustainable garden such as:
Including one or more of these practices will help create a sustainable garden and become resilient to our ever-changing world.
Use Organic Fertilizers to Nourish Your Soil and Plants
While synthetic fertilizers may offer quick results, their long-term use can harm plants, soil health, and the ecosystem due to excessive Nitrogen(1). In contrast, organic fertilizers are composed of organic matter and interact with the soil slowly, releasing essential nutrients with minimal risk of pollution. They also enhance soil structure, enrich it with beneficial microorganisms, and reduce erosion, promoting overall soil health.
Using organic fertilizers reduces the risk of runoff pollution and contamination of local water sources. Overall, organic fertilizers promote healthy, thriving plants, which in turn support biodiversity.
Composting to Reduce Waste and Enrich Your Garden
Composting is a natural process that turns food scraps, yard waste, and other biodegradable products into nutrient-enriched soil amendments. According to Statistics Canada, “Just over 3 in 5 Canadian households (62%) composted organic kitchen waste in 2019” (2). This statistic tells us that we can build a sustainable environment if we are given resources to help compost our kitchen and garden waste.
There are many uses for compost in the garden, as it enriches soil and supports healthy growth across gardening, agriculture, and landscaping.
Here are some examples of how you can use compost in your own garden:
1. Fertilizer Alternative
If you want an organic alternative to fertilizing your plants, consider using compost! It’s packed with the necessary micronutrients that support healthy plant growth.
2. Mulch for Weed Control
Using compost around your plants as mulch is a natural way to protect your garden from weeds and regulates soil temperature throughout the seasons. It also helps retain moisture in the soil, reducing the need for excessive watering.
3. Soil Amendment
The most common way to use compost is to mix it into garden beds. This natural soil amendment improves the soil’s nutrient content and enriches the soil with organic matter, which promotes plant growth.
In the long run, composting will reduce waste sent to landfills, lowering your carbon footprint. Composting is nature’s way of giving back, and we’re here for it!
Use Native Plants to Support Local Ecosystems
Native plants have played an essential part in maintaining local ecosystems. They naturally grow in a specific area, adapting to local climates and improving habitats for local pollinators and wildlife (3). Native plants create an environmental impact by needing less water, fertilizer, and pesticides as they thrive in their home environment.
If you live in Ontario, here are some examples of native plants you can add to your garden:
Practice Water Conservation
Despite covering 71% of the Earth’s surface, water is a precious resource. Conserving water not only reduces your environmental footprint but also safeguards local water sources. Here are some simple water-saving tips you can implement in your own backyard:
1. Use rain barrels to collect rainwater
Catching rainwater is one of the easiest methods of conserving water. Rainwater is free of chemicals and has a neutral pH level, making it better for plants. Using any size barrel or bucket works best; however, you do have to depend on the weather to have a decent amount of water.
2. Install a smart irrigation system throughout your garden
Consider installing a water irrigation system if you have a medium to large-sized garden. This allows your garden to receive the same amount of water throughout, avoiding over or underwatering.
3. Watering in the early morning
Timing is everything when you water your plants. The optimal time to water your garden is in the early morning, usually when the temperature is cooler. This gives the plants enough time to absorb the water so they can get through the day and reduce evaporation– especially during warmer months.
Including these water-saving techniques to your garden routine will help keep your plants hydrated and your water bill low!
Create a Wildlife-Friendly Garden with Pollinator Habitats
Maintaining a healthy ecosystem includes taking care of our local wildlife. It’s important to create a wildlife-friendly garden to encourage pollinators to visit. Incorporating a mix of flowers, shrubs, and trees will attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators that will help promote growth in your plants. (4)
Here are examples of creating butterfly gardens or bee-friendly spaces using organic gardening practices:
1. Providing Shelter for Pollinators
Creating a shelter for these pollinators will encourage them to have a place to rest and nest while working hard. Placing a shallow dish filled with pebbles and water will hydrate butterflies and bees in the warmer months. (4) .
2. Adding a Food Source for Birds
If you don’t mind being in the company of birds, consider placing a bird feeder outside, especially during winter when their natural food source is low. Adding native plants that produce seeds, berries, and nuts will also attract different wildlife species.
3. Natural Pest Control Methods
Dealing with garden pests is not ideal for anyone, but they still play an essential role in our ecosystem. Instead of using harsh chemicals to get rid of them, consider going natural! Repelling pests naturally by companion planting and adding plants that encourage insects and birds that prey on garden pests is a win-win.
It’s important to remember that your garden will not appear perfect. Insects will always be eating plants, so expect imperfections. The main idea is to encourage biodiversity in your garden.
Embracing sustainable gardening practices will make a meaningful impact beyond your backyard. Using organic fertilizer, composting, planting native species, conserving water, and designing wildlife-friendly gardens contribute to a healthier planet and a more sustainable gardening experience.
Start with a simple change—choose Nurture Growth Organic Biofertilizer to nourish your garden naturally and sustainably. Let’s grow a greener future together!
We encourage our readers to embrace sustainable gardening every day on Earth Day to help protect the planet. To learn more about Earth Day practices and how to implement them in your own life, visit their website here.
Start creating a sustainable garden today!
Blogger Biography:
Freda is a Toronto-based social media and digital marketer. New to the plant world, she is looking forward to learning all the tips and tricks on how to keep her plant babies thriving! If she's not walking her maltipoo Leo, you can find her practicing yoga or enjoying live music.
References:
Image sources for Native Flowers, respectively
Snehitdesign from Getty Images
jerryhopman from Getty Images
Efraimstochter from pixabay
Ailime from Getty Images Signature
WTolenaars from Getty Images
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