Gardening for Mother Nature: Sustainable Gardening Guide

Sustainable gardening is when you plant and tend a garden in a way that does not harm the environment. A sustainable garden works in harmony with Mother Nature by helping to support biodiversity and conserve resources. Making your flower garden and lawn more sustainable isn't difficult, but it may require breaking old habits and putting a little more thought into how common gardening practices can cause harm.

Water Conservation

Lawn

• Adjust your mowing height to 3 to 4 inches to promote deeper root growth, which will help the lawn to better retain moisture and resist drought.
• Use a mulching lawn mower, which returns grass clippings to the soil, increasing water retention and providing nutrients.
• Aerate your lawn annually to improve water penetration and prevent excess runoff during heavy rains.

Garden

• Plant water-loving flowers near each other so you can give them a solid watering without overdoing it for the drought-tolerant ones.
• Spread a thick layer of mulch (like shredded leaves or bark chips) around your plants to act like a blanket, keeping the soil cool and moist.
• Mix in plenty of compost when prepping garden beds; compost helps the soil hold onto moisture.
• Use a rain barrel to collect water that you can then use to water your plants when they need it.
• Ditch the sprinkler and install a drip system or soaker hoses instead; they water directly at the roots with way less waste.
• Plant some trees or shrubs to create shady spots. The shade will help garden beds retain precious moisture.

Fossil Fuel and Chemical Use

Lawn

• Use an electric or manual mower to avoid using fossil fuels and creating harmful exhaust.
• Get your hands dirty by pulling weeds yourself instead of spraying chemicals that pollute the air and soil.

Garden

• Get a workout in the garden by digging beds and trenches by hand instead of using gas-powered tillers.
• Ditch the toxic chemicals and pull weeds the old-fashioned way; it's great exercise and way better for the environment. You can also spot-treat your garden with corn gluten meal instead of using herbicides.
• Save electricity by using solar-powered path lights or a solar fountain to add some ambiance to your flower garden without the utility bill spike.

Yard and Garden Waste Solutions

Lawn

• Leave those grass clippings on the lawn when you mow; they'll quickly break down, returning nutrients to the soil.
• Invest in a good mulching mower that finely shreds clippings to help them decompose naturally.
• Put fallen leaves to use by running them over with the mower to shred them into a nutrient-rich mulch layer for your lawn.

Garden

• Let fallen leaves insulate your garden beds over the winter, then incorporate them as nutritious mulch come spring instead of hauling them away.
• Start a compost bin or pile to recycle all those banana peels, eggshells, and other organic waste from your kitchen and garden.
• Shred twigs and plant trimmings with a mulching mower or electric chipper for a homemade mulch supply.
• Repurpose old containers by using them as planters.

Plant Selection

Lawn

• Choose drought-tolerant grass varieties suited to your climate to reduce water and resource needs.
• Plant a low-maintenance ground cover like clover or moss for areas where you don't really need a full lawn.

Garden

• Research which plants are indigenous to your local area and incorporate them into your garden design. They'll thrive without needing a lot of water or chemicals.
• Diversify by growing a wide assortment of flowers to create a haven for bees, butterflies, and other helpful pollinators while preventing disease outbreaks.
• Embrace edibles by filling beds with fruit, veggie, and herb varieties perfect for your climate; nothing beats homegrown, zero-mile produce.
• Consider unique heirlooms or lesser-known cultivars to spice up your garden while preserving genetic diversity.

Garden Design

Lawn

• Downsize your lawn to conserve water and resources.

Garden

• Use hedges, shrubs, or densely planted trees as a natural windbreak to protect your garden from harsh winds and lower your heating costs.
• For new homes, consider an eco-friendly green roof system covered with drought-resistant plants.
• When building raised flower beds or planting boxes, opt for untreated wood or wood certified by groups like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

Plant Maintenance

Lawn

• Be careful not to overwater your lawn, which can create a cozy environment for plant diseases.
• In drought conditions, allow your lawn to go dormant rather than overwatering; it will come back once the drought ends.

Garden

• Encourage beneficial insects to provide natural pest control by planting diverse flowering plants and herbs.
• Learn to identify common fungal diseases like powdery mildew and take preventative measures like pruning for airflow rather than using fungicide sprays.
• Use compost, aged manure, or slow-release organic fertilizers to provide nutrients without excessive salt buildup or nutrient runoff.
• Rotate crop locations yearly and plant cover crops in vegetable gardens to replenish soil and disrupt pest/disease cycles.

This page was published by Chad Kremp