Everyone is already thinking about the environment. If you have a garden, you can now contribute to protecting the planet. But other homeowners might find it hard to build an eco-friendly garden since they don’t know where to start. What design elements will I need to make it more eco-friendly? If you think of an eco-friendly garden, the first idea that will come to mind is an overgrown, untamed area with insects and wildflowers
But that’s not true. Even most modern landscape designs can feature environmentally friendly ideas. That’s possible due to the innovative technologies and ethically-sourced materials. Below are some ideas that you can refer to if you’re designing your lawn.
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Building a Garden That Attracts Bugs
Lacewings, ladybirds, ground beetles, and more are helpful bugs. You often see them do their magic in a lawn, even if you first hate the idea of building a habitat for them. That’s because most people think of bugs that can damage their plants. Most homeowners don’t think about the bugs that can help your garden bloom. Other bugs can even help in reducing the number of harmful pests that damage your garden or property.
Let’s take the lacewings and ladybugs as an example. Both will feed on aphids. If your lawn is infested by aphids, planting candytuft, sunflowers, or marigolds is your best bet because they’ll attract more helpful bugs. It’ll help reduce the damage to your garden.
Use the Best Means to Control Pests
Most pests that can damage your garden include snails, caterpillars, grubs, or slugs. If you have pest infestation in your garden, birds are your best companion. Birds will act as natural garden protectors. Make a garden that will attract birds to visit by hanging nesting boxes or feeders. That will attract birds to your garden, reducing the population of pests that can cause damage.
If you’re looking for a more aggressive approach to handling pest problems, using slug pullets or eggshells is the best solution. It’s an eco-friendly way of creating a barrier.
Build Your Compost Bin for the Soil
Buying store-grade soil is the most common practice, but more eco-friendly individuals make their compost to nurture the soil in their gardens. Building a compost bin allows your garden to get the nutrients it needs while saving you money, making your gardening time more satisfying. You’ll also be attracting helpful microorganisms to your garden by using your compost. It’ll provide you with numerous benefits, including:
- Turning into an alternative for harsh chemicals or fertilizers
- Lessening the dangers of plant diseases
- Maintaining the soil’s health and moisture
- Improving overall plant growth by breaking down materials
- Aerating the soil
You can use coffee grounds, shredded paper, weeds, or leftovers for your use. Leftovers refer to vegetables, fruits, tea leaves, or eggshells. Don’t use leftover fish or bones since it can attract unwanted pests.
Find Ways to Reuse Waste Materials
Now, you have innovative means of reducing waste materials, for example, making your compost or growing your vegetables. Instill it into your family’s daily routine to reuse any waste material, like fencing, plant clippings, or vegetable peelings. Use water-efficient items to lessen the amount of water consumed in maintaining your lawn. If that doesn’t work for your family, be creative in recycling plastic bottles or crates.
For example, use the plastic bottle’s base as seedling protectors. Or poke small holes so that you can use them as an alternative watering can.
Incorporating Eco-Friendly Materials
One simple way to build a sustainable garden is using eco-friendly materials, allowing you to reduce your family’s carbon footprint. It’ll also give your garden a “sense of place” by letting the place blend in with nature, which can be helpful in bustling areas. Other materials such as straw bales, chestnut paling timber, woven willow, log walls, rammed earth, oak, or cob will make your garden more appealing.
Incorporating design elements will depend on geography and availability. Hence, it’s best to shop around to check what’s available in your area. Bear in mind that labor costs will not be cheap, even if raw materials are. Incorporating traditional materials require a few specialized skills.
Find Ways to Save Water
Finding ways to save water is another highlight of an eco-friendly garden. Installing a downpipe is one way to do that. You can choose from the ubiquitous green plastic tubs or the weathered oak barrels. If possible, consider installing an underground rain tank that can collect large amounts of water for your garden. Don’t use sprinklers.
Keep your plants hydrated while not wasting water on leaves. Focus on their roots.
Homeowners want to bask under the sun in their gardens, so it’s best to surround it with chirping sounds or bright colors. If you do that, it’ll also turn into an ideal area where you can chat with friends, finish a good book, or meditate.