Attending a Catholic secondary school, I had the opportunity to learn from foreign teachers who were also nuns. During this period, I didn’t fully understand the importance of our school’s environmental rules.
It was strictly forbidden to tamper with the lawns, as it could result in punishment or even suspension. The school grounds had beautiful trees and flowers, which captivated me. One day, driven by my fascination with colors, I cut a particular flower.
To my surprise, one of the nuns caught sight of my action and began to cry, and I couldn’t understand her emotional response to a simple flower. Consequently, I faced punishment that day and received a lecture on the importance of preserving those flowers and the reason behind not walking on the lawns.
As I have grown older, I have developed a deep appreciation for nature and would never consider harming any plant or flower in my possession.
Trying to maintain a garden is not easy. It’s normal to include some artificial elements in its structure and composition. At times, we may even incorporate non-native plants or attempt to preserve flowers during unconventional seasons. Additionally, there is a desire to create a garden aesthetically.
However, our efforts over nature often lead to unsustainable practices. We introduce materials that disrupt the natural balance and implement methods that benefit specific areas while negatively affecting their surroundings.
We need to make conscious choices and strive for better alternatives. Building the garden of your dreams should not come at the cost of causing harm to the environment.
Here are three sustainable ways you can effectively care for your garden.
Use recycled materials for garden decor.
You can take a bold step by prioritizing recycled materials wherever possible by purchasing recycled materials or upcycling plastic containers and other items you already have. While it is perfect to dispose of excessive plastic waste, It is even more sustainable to find new uses for existing materials rather than dispose of them and see them wasted again.
When using these materials, it depends on the resources available and your personal style preferences. Embrace your creativity and think outside the box. Transforming an old bucket into an attractive plant container with a craft knife is a great idea.
Some pests tend to appear in inconvenient locations, devouring leaves and causing harm to your plants. While it may seem tempting to fight these pests with pesticides, it is crucial to recognize that such an approach is not sustainable. Pesticides have far-reaching consequences, particularly in reducing soil biodiversity and compromising long-term growth potential.
Instead of resorting to harmful chemicals, it is advisable to employ a combination of physical barriers and natural pest control methods. As mentioned, you can use recycled materials to create protective barriers around your plants. Additionally, by closely monitoring and identifying the pests that threaten your garden, you can introduce beneficial insects that prey on those pests.
For example, you can introduce beetles to control caterpillar populations. This approach promotes ecological balance and avoids the negative environmental impacts associated with chemical pesticides.
Surround your property with trees and hedges.
When you consider safeguarding your property, you can get the idea of constructing solid barriers that isolate it from the surrounding environment. However, erecting such barriers using bricks or wooden slats is not ideal for several reasons, including the obstruction of sunlight.
Nevertheless, you can still create a protective shield for your garden by using trees and hedges strategically using plant life to safeguard other plant life to achieve multiple benefits. Trees and hedges serve as a natural barrier, purifying the air in the vicinity and fostering the growth of various organisms.
Dense walls effectively prevent the intrusion of thrown objects, reduce noise, and even provide shade (while ensuring to trim them in areas where unobstructed light is required). Moreover, opting for trees and hedges is likely to be a more cost-effective solution compared to constructing solid barriers.
In conclusion, there are many steps you can take to ensure the safety of your garden while embracing the natural environment. Whether it involves reworking recycled materials, adopting pesticide-free pest control methods, or using plant-based barriers, there are options to consider.
Take a thoughtful approach to your garden’s unique needs and make the necessary efforts to contribute to its well-being.
