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5 earth-friendly gardening habits
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How a little planning can transform your garden and yard into an environment that is both beautiful and eco-friendly.
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By Dee Van Dyk
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A beautiful, well-maintained yard is a source of pleasure and relaxation for everyone. A little planning can transform your garden and yard into an environment that is both beautiful and eco-friendly.
Read on for basic earth-saving gardening habits to adopt now.
Earth-saver #1: Choose plants that are native to your area
In the dog days of summer, water consumption usually doubles. Grass is water-intensive, so consider replacing your grass with plants that are drought-resistant and native to the area. Most municipalities have information on city websites that can help savvy gardeners make smart choices.
If you can't conceive of a summer without an outdoor carpet of green grass, you can still find ways to reduce the environmental impact of your lawn. Be careful not to overwater. Cut off your water usage by using a sprinkler timer, or place a Frisbee on your lawn, rim up. When the Frisbee is full of water, it's time to shut off the sprinkler.
Whether you're watering a garden or a lawn, water first thing in the morning before the sun comes up, and in the evening when the sun has started to set. These times minimize the evaporation of water from your lawn. The worst time to water is, of course, in the middle of the day, when the sun is at its dehydrating best.
Earth-saver #2: Use a rain barrel
The treated water that comes out of your home's plumbing can be hard on young root systems in emerging plants, says Kathleen Van Ihinger, acting executive director for the Clean Calgary Association. "Collecting rain water is free," she says, "and although most cities don't charge a lot for water, if we face shortages in the future, those charges will increase."
Using rain barrels, which collect water from your home's downspout, also reduces flooding. Many people's eaves, or gutters, go directly into driveways or onto cement, which doesn't absorb the water. Rainwater goes straight to the sewage system and, from the sewage system, directly to water sources. By collecting rainwater, you're diverting some of that water from your local streams, rivers and lakes.
You may be able to find rain barrels by searching your city's website. They're also available from gardening centres, Rona, and the United Farmer's Association. Or if you want to make your own rain barrel, click here for instructions in PDF format.
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