Earth Day is a good time to consider trying to be more environmentally friendly. Every effort helps as gardens can be a source of unseen pollution and waste.
Fertilizers
It’s best to avoid artificial or animal-based fertilizers when possible. Artificial fertilizers are often expensive on resources and any run-off can pollute local waterways. Many animal-based fertilizers are polluted with antibiotics, are often trucked in from far away and are resource expensive to produce.
Instead, find the best combination of mineral and plant-based fertilizers that will rejuvenate your soil naturally, provide a stable pH and nutrient rich food. In Arlington, VA I am experimenting with the following combination of ingredients for my vegetable garden:
4 parts seed meal – The basic element. A good, yet acidic source of nitrogen.
3 parts dolomite lime – Used because many seed meals are rather acid and because both calcium and magnesium are essential plant nutrients. In Arlington, VA the clay soil also needs lime to aerate and soften it.
1 part rock phosphate – For phosphorus, an essential mineral for plants.
1 part kelp meal – This is a good source of potassium with many trace minerals as well.
You may also consider using composted organic waste and worms to enhance the fertility of your soil. This method requires more effort, but it is also more environmentally-friendly as you can find compost from the vegetable matter you may normally throw away and worms naturally exist outside in your yard.
I have a Nature Mill composter that I use for food waste and an outdoor bin for composting yard waste. There’s no reason to purchase or harvest worms as they will naturally be attracted to your outdoor compost.
Pest control
Pesticides can be dangerous for people, pets and the environment. It’s best to avoid them in your garden. The alternatives depend on what ails your plants. If you have problems with rabbit or deer you can always plant mint, oregano catnip, lavender, garlic, chives and other plants that deter them. It’s also worth considering purchasing natural deterrents like Pro-Tec which use concentrated garlic.
If you have problems with bugs you can usually use diluted cayenne pepper oil or soapy water depending on the bug. Just remember to rinse the plants if you have to use the latter. You can also introduce natural predators like lady bugs, spiders or birds.
Mulch
Mulch is often made of wood or bark, both of which require large amounts of resources to produce and transport. It’s better, when possible, to try to reuse parts of your yard if you can. For example, consider grinding up yard waste like branches and leaves with a chipper or shredder to make your own mulch.
You can also use grass clippings as a mulch substitute that provides the same benefits. Covering the soil is an important step to retain water and protect your garden from weeds.
Watering
Drip irrigation is the best way to go, if possible. This can be accomplished by burying some perforated tubing along each row of plants. The droplets will water the root system, which is where plants absorb the majority of their water. Irrigation systems can be put on a timer to ensure the watering occurs regularly and automatically.
Rain barrels are also a very eco-friendly way to save water. Simply hook one up to your gutter (requires some small modifications) and you can have a large source of water that’s completely independent of the local water supply.
These small steps can help to save resources and money, reduce pollution as well as make your garden and its plants healthier.