Keep Your Garden Green

With spring on the way, it’s time to get your outdoor spaces (or indoor pastorals) primed for growing season. But can you still produce an enchanting plot of flourishing flora and fauna without damaging the land or creating excess waste? Of course you can! No matter if you’re spreading out in your back yard or just tending a few planter boxes, we’ve gathered some of the most planet-friendly tips and tricks to kick your green thumb into high gear. And luckily, most of them are easy to do with things you might already have in your home!

1. Mother Knows Best

Mother Nature, that is. Be sure to keep your garden free from pesticides, chemical fertilizers and other nasty unnatural potions—you don’t need them! Instead, look to nature for inspiration. Having aphid problems? Skip the bug killer and grab some ladybugs from a home and garden store. While you’re there, pick up some cilantro, fennel, dill, tansy, or wild carrot, since ladybugs love to munch on their pollen and might stick around even after they’ve devoured the unwelcome pests. Not only do the friendly little bugs keep your roses safe, but they also hunt thrips and spider mites, which can devastate your garden. In addition to lady bugs, plants like caraway, spearmint, fennel, and marigold will lure big eyed bugs, such as damsel bugs and pirate bugs, who also snack on harmful invaders. Familiarize yourself with the cooperative creepy crawlies you see and encourage the helpful ones to stick around.

2. Rain, Rain, Please Just Stay!

Rain barrels are inexpensive, unobtrusive ways to keep yourself in rich, pure water. Even if you live in an area without much rainfall, collect in the wet season and use it to water while it’s on hand—I mean, it’s better than letting it go to waste, right? To keep the water clean, add a net or screen over the top to prevent unwelcome friends from having a drink, and make sure to use the water often to keep it moving. Stagnant water isn’t good for anyone. They are simple to DIY, but places like Target, Home Depot, and Lowe’s sell affordable kits if you’re not handy. Some cities even offer incentives to keep rain barrels, so be sure to check your city website to see if they have a rain barrel program.

3. Make New Friends!

If you don’t have the space for a garden, look into joining a community garden project. Most of these wonderful spaces are curated on a co-op system—you spend time tending, you reap the rewards, such as fresh vegetables, fruit, and herbs. Not only will this save you money, but it will keep your kitchen full of healthy, homegrown food and it might help you make some new friends! Check around your city, including public schools and libraries, to see if such a place is available. If not, consider starting one up.

4. Turn Your Trash Into Treasure

Even small window box gardens can benefit from nutrient-rich compost. Save your food scraps and watch them nourish your crop. Be sure to determine exactly what you can compost, based on your available space, since substances like meat, bones, and dairy should be composted outdoors to control bacteria and odor. However, vegetable/fruit composting can be done in a small kitchen can, and used just about immediately to fertilize your soil. Things like coffee grounds and eggshells are perfect for plants, so take some time and investigate what you’re tossing. It might be just the thing your garden is craving!

5. Grow What You Know

Even the most drought-stricken areas of the country can garden, it’s just about finding what works with your climate. While sprawling green lawns are luscious, they are a luxury water-challenged communities can’t afford. Instead, look for native plants that suit both your lifestyle and resources. Succulent gardens are absolutely stunning, and require minimal care once established. Ground cover, such as ice plant, ivy, tansy, and mint will grow on its own with little encouragement. Indoor green thumbs in humid regions can grow carnivorous plants such as Venus fly traps and pitcher plants—but be warned, these do need more TLC than other houseplants, so do your research before you adopt one of the hungry little guys. Don’t fight against your climate or skill set just for the sake of having a garden, just figure out what you can commit to, what will grow naturally, and what you like.

6. Waste Not, Want Not

Have some leftover jars? Takeout containers? Unused tea cups? Broken bowls? All of this trash-bound bounty can be effortlessly repurposed into a home for plants. Make sure whatever you’re re-using has appropriate drainage for your soil, and upcycle away! You don’t need to invest a ton of money in fancy pots, hanging gardens, trellises, and raised beds when you probably have enough unwanted items hanging around your home to fill a garden. If you simply must grab new supplies, look for items made with recycled materials or check Craigslist for people reselling supplies. It will keep more money in your pocket and perfectly good items out of landfills.