10 Ways to Make Your Garden More Eco-Friendly
If you’re growing a garden, you probably already have sustainability on your mind. After all, our own backyards are the perfect place to start thinking about how our everyday choices impact the planet. Whether you have acres to cultivate, a small raised bed in the backyard or a few planters on the patio, there are plenty of small steps you can take to make a difference and reduce your environmental impact in the garden.
From choosing the right plants to using nontoxic pesticides, practicing water conservation and more, here are 10 ways to make your garden a little greener this growing season.
1. Choose Native Plants
When deciding what to grow in your yard or garden, selecting plants indigenous to your region can provide multiple environmental benefits. Because these plants are already adapted to the climate, rainfall and soil types of the area, they require less water than nonnative plants and need fewer fertilizers and pesticides. They also provide food sources like pollen, nectar and seeds for native wildlife in the region, which helps the local ecosystem thrive.
Native plants and wildflowers are easy to grow and maintain, saving you time, effort and money you might otherwise spend on fertilizer, pesticides and water.
Use this native plant finder to find species native to your specific area.