Making Your Garden Go Green

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

29 Jan 2009 12:38 PM

Although with snow on the ground and more expected, gardening should be the last thing on my mind, I am already planning ahead. The last frost will be here and gone eventually. With everything still dormant, it is a good time to start the planning for the garden season to come.

Being more environmentally conscious and gardening go hand and hand. If you want to make your garden really go green this year, try taking advantage of the following tips.

Start a compost pile that will nurture your plants with natural fertilizer and plenty of good food. As you clean up in the spring, add old leaves, grass clippings and more to your best kitchen scraps. Any vegetables or fruit scraps will do, as well as coffee grounds.

When planning your garden, choose hardy native plants first. They will need minimum care and will require less watering and fertilizer, since these plants have adapted to your specific climate and soil type already. They can thrive in the normal environment that nature provides. Local nurseries are your best best for native plants. Feel free to ask them for some good suggestions to suit your needs.

No one wants to use harsh pesticides, but what do you do about bugs? You can try a natural solution, such as spraying a vinegar and water solution or a soapy water solution on to your plants. Or, try one of the new environmentally conscious products that are made for getting rid of garden pests.

Surrounding your garden, try ground cover instead of lawn. There are many different types of ground cover available. Ground cover plants usually do very well on their own, and you can find varieties for shade that grow nicely. Without the lawn, there is no mowing that releases fumes into the air. Again, pick native plants and you won't have as much care and maintenance to do.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right.

Related Articles:

Are Organic Garden Products Misleading?

Collecting Rainwater

How Green was 2008: Analysts Versus Reality

Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger