Gardening is a magical hobby that has a plethora of benefits. Not only do you get regular outside time, but when the conditions are right, you also get to indulge in home-grown fruits, veggies, and grains.
The more globalized our society becomes, the more challenging it is to track the source of our food. In some cases, globalization gives us benefits, like being able to eat apples no matter what season it is. But in other cases, the worldwide shipment of food can be dangerous due to the horrible worker and shipping conditions.
That’s why if you can start your own garden, you should. Word of advice, though: developing a plot of land to grow your food will take time. You have to be patient and willing to experiment.
If that still sounds like you, let’s get started.
1. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Building Materials
Though the garden will be a new addition to your land, you don’t need to break the bank using new construction supplies. There are plenty of ways that you can acquire tools without having to splash out.
Check out the local reclamation yard to see if any wood planks will suit your needs. You can also go to junk fields and shops for even cheaper options. If nothing is close by, consider ordering from eBay or another online market to find recycled materials.
2. Protect Your Plot
There’s no need to go full army-mode when protecting your garden, but you need to be aware of the potential hazards. If you head to deerfencing.com, you’ll find a nice variety of fences that keep larger herbivores out of your space without trapping them. As for pesticides, try to stay as green as possible.
Look into what local organic farmers are using on their plants, search some farming YouTube videos, and even experiment with homemade bug repellants – just make sure everything’s non-toxic.
3. Research Local Plants and Their Seasons
The most crucial tip for going green with your garden is to plant locally and seasonally. You don’t want to damage your soil by re-planting the same crop over and over again. Crop rotation is essential for keeping your soil healthy and making sure your pantry is rainbow-colored.
If the temptation arises, don’t follow through and plant crops out of season. You’ll have a tough time growing them, and the process will leech your soil of nutrients. Be realistic enough to realize you might not be in the right climate to make all your favorite fruits and veggies. You can still enjoy them by sourcing them sustainably from grocers and markets.
4. Make Your Fertilizer
Making fertilizer is simple, and all you need to start is a compost pile and food scraps. Soil nutrition costs a hefty penny when it comes to gardening, but you have all the materials you need at home. If you regularly cut your grass and trim your hedges, add the clippings to your compost. Any fruit or veggie peels, along with egg boxes, can go in the compost as well.
As long as you avoid adding things to the pile like cooked meat, glossy magazines, and animal feces, you should be good to go.
5. Conserve Water
The easiest way you can go green is by keeping water conservation as a top priority in your garden. Install a water butt on every downpipe, something as simple as an oak barrel, to catch runoff. For those who have space, consider building an underground rain tank.
Sprinklers are a tremendous waste of water and energy. Instead, water the roots of your plants so that you don’t lose anything on the leaves.
Green Thumbs Unite
Gardening is an enjoyable way to get outside daily and do something. Plus, you get to eat fresh-made food. Start digging your plot and gathering seeds today!