Sustainability Through Gardening
Sustainable gardening means working with nature to create environmentally-friendly landscapes and gardens. Sustainable flower and vegetable gardens give ready access to fresh organic produce and blooms. A vegetable garden can reduce grocery trips, save money, minimize waste, and benefit the environment. A flower garden can provide a peaceful sanctuary in the backyard.
Defined by the Brundtland Commission Report of 1987, sustainability means "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." This is accomplished by recycling, reusing, and reducing the use of resources.
Plan a sustainable garden according to what's needed and what's there to work with. Choose plants that will flourish under local conditions. Rainfall, watering, sunlight, insects, wildlife, and climate all play a role.
Who will maintain the garden? Will vegetables and herbs be eaten, frozen, canned or stored promptly? Which flowers will be most enjoyed? How much space is available, and where? A sustainable garden will maximize benefits and minimize costs.
Creating an organic garden can be fun and easy, even for beginners. Sustainable gardens are not just for spring and summer. A fall garden is a perfect follow-up to the spring planting cycle, especially when combined with preparations for the spring to come.
A veggie garden can save on food and fuel costs. Plant only what will be eaten, preserved, or traded. Plan meals around harvests. Choose veggies that are expensive at the grocery, but grow well in the prevailing climate. Start small and coordinate with other gardeners for crop trades. Collect rainwater for irrigation.
Use seeds and cuttings instead of plants, or buy starter plants from nearby nurseries to save shipping. Greenhouses in the area are more likely to stock native plants compatible with the local environment. Native plants can attract beneficial wildlife and insects that eat pests and pollinate flowers.
There is debate as to whether organic vegetables are more nutritious . Some believe that soil used by non-organic growers is leached, reducing the nutritional value of the food. Others speculate that organic food contains more antioxidants than non-organic. There is agreement that the richer the soil, the more nutritious the food.
Learn about the indigenous soil. Work with it and feed it with organic fertilizers , mulches, peat moss, worm castings , or aged manures rather than chemical fertilizers. Composting with organic waste is an excellent way to nourish the garden and recycle inedible food, fur, hair, organic textiles and ashes.
Rotating crop families can prevent soil depletion. Shade-producing plants can reduce weeds. Crop rotation also discourages insect infestations and helps to keep disease organisms from colonizing.
There is no debate about the benefits of food grown without pesticides and harsh chemical fertilizers . While chemicals are effective against pests, they also disrupt the ecosystem and harm beneficial organisms, insects, and birds that help to control infestations. Pesticides can kill wildlife, and becarried to other areas by rainfall.
There are many ways to discourage pests besides toxic chemicals. Natural pesticides and common household items like soap, water and stale beer can often solve a pest problem without causing harm.
Gardens require work, but the returns can be priceless. Physical exercise, fresh air, sunshine, and experiencing nature are all part of the process. Colorful produce, herbs, and flowers just outside the door, delight in the creation of something good, and the satisfaction of a job well done are just a few of the rewards.
