Sustainable Gardening Tips

Start with a basic bin or pile in a shaded corner. Add roughly equal parts green material (kitchen scraps, grass clippings) and brown material (dried leaves, cardboard). Turn it every few weeks and keep it moist but not wet. Most households can produce usable compost in three to six months.

Native plants have evolved to handle local rainfall, soil, and temperature patterns, which means they need less watering, less fertilizing, and less pest control than non-native alternatives. They also support local pollinators and wildlife.

Mulch beds with 5-8 cm of organic mulch to reduce evaporation. Group plants by water needs so thirsty plants are not mixed with drought-tolerant ones. Water deeply and infrequently rather than lightly every day. Drip irrigation wastes far less water than sprinklers.

Plant a variety of flowers that bloom at different times throughout the season so there is always something in flower. Native wildflowers, herbs like lavender and thyme, and single-petal flowers are more accessible to bees than highly bred double-petal varieties.

In most cases, yes. A thin layer of leaves on beds acts as natural mulch, feeds soil organisms, and provides habitat for beneficial insects. On lawns, shred the leaves with a mower so they decompose faster. Only remove leaves if they are thick enough to smother plants.

Start by reducing lawn to areas where you actually walk or play. Replace the rest with ground cover plants, native meadow mixes, gravel with stepping stones, or mulched garden beds. Each option uses less water and requires less mowing than traditional turf grass.