9 Eco-Friendly Gardening Tips – Greenmoxie™

We tend to think that anything to do with the outdoors is eco-friendly. But actually, the opposite is usually true. It would be better for nature if we didn’t go on walks in the great outdoors, and if we just let our yards grow wild.

Of course, that’s not a realistic ambition. It’s important that we connect with nature by going for walks, and we also want our yards to look presentable.

Happily, there are ways to ensure that your actions are as earth-friendly as possible, including when you’re working on your yard. In this post, we’ll look at some eco-friendly gardening tips that will ensure that your yard is just as good for the natural world as it is for your property.

Keep Chemicals At Bay

There’s no shortage of chemicals you can use in your yard. Alas, while they might result in perfect grass or plants, they’re often deadly for any other plants or wildlife that might be trying to make a home on your property. 

Part of the problem is that the chemicals used in those products can so easily find themselves in other places where they can do serious damage. For example, they might impact the health of your soil or find their way into a local water source, impacting the health of a wide range of wildlife. 

Whatever you need to do, there’ll nearly always be an organic alternative available. In some cases, you can even make your own gardening products at home, which will help to boost your eco-credentials. 

Use Electric Tools

You’ll need to use tools to keep your yard area in tip-top condition from time to time. But keep in mind that your earth-friendliness will depend, in part, on the type of tools you use. For most tools, you’ll have the option of choosing between an electric or petrol piece of equipment. It’s recommended to use the electric option wherever possible since petrol tools emit a lot of pollutants and contribute to noise pollution. An electric pressure washer, leaf blower, or chainsaw will work just as effectively as a petrol-powered product, yet will be significantly better for the environment. Looking to take your eco-credentials even further? Invest in the maintenance of your tools to ensure they last as long as possible before having to be replaced. 

Wildlife-Friendly Plants

If you’ve been keeping up to date with environmental news recently, then you’ll know that many insect populations are under threat due to climate change. While the best thing you can do to help them is to adopt earth-friendly practices that reduce the likelihood of climate change coming to pass, you can also support them in a direct way by giving them food and shelter in your yard.

There are a host of wildlife-friendly plants you can add to your yard that’ll help your local wildlife population. In general, it’s best to add native plants, since that’s what the local population will be used to! There are also plenty of plants that help butterflies, bees, and birds. If you’re not sure what makes sense for your yard, then get in touch with a local wildlife organization. 

Use Items You Already Own 

You’ll need a whole host of products to have a yard that looks and functions well. But remember that you don’t always need to go out to the shops. You can recycle and reuse many items for use in your yard. For example, do you have a small plate that’s past its best? Rather than throwing it away, use it as a bird bath.

A little bit of creativity really can go a long way. Need some inspiration? Check out this blog, which is full of recycling and upcycling ideas. 

Collect Rainwater

You’ll need a lot of water to keep your yard looking beautiful. However, as a natural resource, it’s important that we keep our use down to a minimum. The world would be in a better place if we all stopped turning on the tap as frequently as we do, especially in areas that have low water reserves.

One way to get around this is to collect rainwater. It’s easy enough to set up a system that’ll collect the water that falls in your yard, and once you have, you’ll have all the water you need to keep your yard looking great. 

Embrace a Bit of Mess

It might seem nice to have a lawn of freshly cut grass, but keep in mind that it can be damaging to wildlife, especially in May, when plants and insects are all trying to survive. It’s recommended to let your grass grow a little longer around this time, at least on part of your lawn. You’ll be giving local wildlife a helping hand! 

Stay Away From Plastic 

There’s too much plastic in the world, and it’s essential that we reduce the number of plastic-based products that we use. Traditional gardening approaches use a lot of plastic — just think of all those plastic pots that are buried across the country.

There are plastic alternatives available, including biodegradable plant pots, which are worthwhile investing in. 

Add a Pond

In our view, not enough people make the most of ponds in their yards. They can add so much, and they’re much easier to install and maintain than you might think. Once you have one, you’ll get to enjoy the trickling sound of running water while you have your morning coffee and, more importantly, wildlife will have an amazing refuge! Frogs, birds, and insects all love ponds, helping to create a rich ecosystem right on your property. Don’t be surprised if you spend many hours wildlife-watching from your backdoor once it has been added to your yard. 

Stay Up To Date With Latest Trends

Finally, remember that the eco-friendly gardening community is growing all the time. As such, there are always new ideas and trends emerging that can help homeowners increase the earth-friendliness of their gardening practices. Take a look at joining online communities or getting involved with local gardening groups to keep up to date.