Tips for Sustainable Gardening

As we approach the first day of spring, most of North Carolina has passed the threat of an overnight frost, and we can all now start planning our gardens. Whether you choose to grow flowers, vegetables, or a mixture of both, you can manage your garden project in an environmentally conscious manner. Below are a few tips to help you grow a beautiful garden in harmony with natural systems:

• For above ground gardens, use containers made out of 100% recycled materials or containers that are themselves recycled. Be creative! Recycled gardening containers can be made out just about anything…like an old gift basket, painted cinderblock, or an old tire.
• Avoid using railroad ties and chemically-treated lumber as supports for your garden, as they can leach harmful toxins into the soil and ground water.
• Water your garden with reclaimed water collected by a rain barrel.
• Grow your garden with natural fertilizer by using the soil produced through composting instead of chemical fertilizers. Composted soil contains no toxins and helps reduce the need for throwing away food waste.
• Eliminate pests naturally by strategically planting pest-repelling plants throughout the garden and by installing bird feeders that attract insect-eating birds.
• Include drought tolerant plants in your garden to reduce the amount of watering needed.
• Incorporate a drip irrigation system and a timer in your garden to make your watering more efficient. Traditional sprinklers can be inaccurate and waste water on sidewalks and other areas that don’t need it.