You don’t have to be a superhero to save the world, but having a green thumb definitely helps. By being smarter in your garden, you can not only help your leafy green friends thrive, but you can also reduce the impact on the environment, your time and your wallet – and doesn’t that seem like the ultimate win-win?
Here are some ways to be more sustainable in your garden.
1. Be smarter with water.
- Pay particular attention to the natural contour of your garden. Place your water point high up so that the water naturally flows down its slope and reaches all your plants.
- Select the right plants for where the water is flowing or away from it. The plants will love you for it, and you’ll need less water to help them thrive.
- Use irrigation drops that go deeper into the soil and use mulch around your plants to reduce evaporation (this also helps prevent weeds).
2. Become a native.
- Nothing thrives better in our backyard than the species that have spent millennia establishing themselves here. The natives are perfectly adapted to our soil conditions and climate.
- Exotic species (plants other than kiwifruit) will not support local ecosystems as well as our natives. And there are so many amazing natives who will encourage birds, bees and other insects to visit our backyards.
- Because natives are better suited to the natural soils in your area, you won’t need to alter the nutrient balance of your soil as much. However, if you, like many of us, like to have a wide range of plants or vegetables in your garden and need to feed your soil, then why not go organic.
3. Good organically balanced soil.
Healthy plants need healthy soil, whether native or exotic, so let’s make sure they have everything they need to produce bright, strong foliage, flowers, and fruit.
- Don’t send green waste to the landfill, start a compost pile or a worm farm. It’s a great way to recycle plant material and balance your soil’s nutrients.
- Get to know the soil in your garden. By understanding the type of soil, you will have a better understanding of how your plants are doing (or not).
- If you need to feed your plants, choose organic alternatives like Swift Grow.
Swift Grow is an all-natural liquid fertilizer made from the waste left over from organic aquaculture (fish-poo). It is odorless and packed with nutrients your soil needs to support healthy growth of all plant species.
Unlike manufactured chemical fertilizers, excess Swift Grow will not burn roots or damage the ecosystem, so don’t worry if you apply too much – but always follow directions.
The natural floral Lactobacillus bacteria rich in Swift Grow attracts bees and promotes bee immunity against pathogens.
If you want to learn more about sustainable gardening, here are some useful links:
https://www.sculptgardens.co.nz/blog/post/55871/your-ultimate-guide-design-a-native-new-zealand-garden/
https://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/motukarara-conservation-nursery/planning-and-planting-a-native-garden/
https://sustaintrust.org.nz/blog/diy-composting
https://sustaintrust.org.nz/blog/diy-worm-farm
https://soils.landcareresearch.co.nz/topics/understanding-soils/get-dirty/
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