Let’s face it. Without nature, the human population would be in a lot of trouble. The human race is fast creating problems for our natural environment and the results are devastating. As individuals, we need to be responsible for creating a healthier living environment for both us and the other species around us. We can start in our own gardens
Grow your own herbs to create an edible and sustainable garden. You can use the Allsorted Herb Trough Planters to separate the different herbs.
The decreasing population of bees has become a cause for concern. According to Green Peace, bees are responsible for 80% of all pollination around the world. They pollinate crops and plants that provide the world with food. Without them, we’d cease to exist. We can create a bee-friendly environment that encourages them to our gardens by planting brightly coloured flowers. Creating a water source for thirsty bees is another way of attracting them. Using a saucer or even a shallow birdbath, place little stones or objects in the water so that bees can sit on them while drinking.
Harvesting rainwater in a barrel and storing it to water the garden, later on, is a great way of ensuring your garden doesn’t use up copious amounts of water.
Using solar panels to heat your pool or hot water supply is a great way of reducing electricity costs. You would be using a free and renewable source of energy.
Indigenous species should make up the majority of your garden. Native plants use up far less water and generally attract indigenous animals to your garden. They can also look very attractive. Try replacing lawn with low-water use plants to reduce watering costs.
Make your own compost! By using old kitchen scraps such as vegetable peels, crushed eggshells, tea bags, coffee grounds, paper and cardboard, you can reduce dumpsite waste and make your own healthy compost. The process can take a good few months, so to speed it up, place red tiger worms into a container and feed the scraps to them every week.
Since you’ll have a source of compost, why not plant your own fruit and vegetables. This will reduce pesticide usage in commercial farming. Having your own source of food means you can control the chemicals and harmful pollutants that go into the growing process. Your grocery bill will also be reduced!
If you must use pesticides, make sure they are organic. It is possible to deter pests by using crushed eggshells around your plants or by making use of the companion planting notion.
Planting certain plants together will naturally deter pests. Garlic can be planted with roses, chives with tomatoes, spring onions with carrots and, dill with cucumber to reduce the attractiveness of each plant to their natural predators.
If you want to decorate your garden with man-made objects and furniture, make sure you use products that are environmentallyfriendly and non-toxic. Allsorted manufactures its benches and planter pots out of aluminium and stainless steel, which are both environmentally friendly materials.
Make use of otherwise disposed of goods such as plastic bottles by using them as seedling covers. They will protect new plants and create a warmer and safer growing environment for them. Cut the bottoms off the bottles and place them over the seedlings.
Put up a birdhouse or two. By providing shelter and, possibly food, to birds, you might prevent them from dying off in the colder months. You can also use old twigs and long leaves to create a pile of ‘nest building material’ for the birds.
Plant more trees. It’s that simple! Just make sure they are indigenous!
Encourage healthy, growing plants by watering them with cool chamomile tea. This prevents the growth of bacteria on them.
Plant water-loving plants in a spot where rainwater run-off occurs- usually the deepest part of the garden, close to waterspouts. This will create a rain garden. Rain gardens put otherwise lost rain water, to good use. It filters water before seeping back into underground water sources.
By following some of these tips, you will be encouraging the wildlife and plant species to do what they do best – create a healthy environment in which we can all live
