How green is your garden? Here are 3 ways to ensure that your garden is healthy and sustainable – for you and for the planet…

Is your garden green? I don’t mean the color (after all, it’s winter!) – I mean, does your garden follow a sustainable model that is healthy for the planet and your local environment? A sustainable garden helps to grow food in a way that is in harmony with the earth and the natural ecosystem. Sustainable gardening goes beyond just avoiding pesticides and toxic chemicals, and it includes techniques such as crop rotation, companion planting, biodiversity, beneficial insects, and natural soil enrichment to help your plants and soil stay healthy and thrive. Not only are these gardening methods better for the planet, they’re also better for your local wildlife, the soil, the water, and your health as well!

Here are 3 easy ways that you can grow a greener, healthier, and more sustainable garden:

1.) Plant Native Plants

Native plants are indigenous to your region. They are already acclimated to the type of soil and amount of rainfall in your region so they thrive better than other perennials and generally require less water. In addition, native populations of birds and insects use them for their food and shelter.

2.) Include Flowers

Add interest to your kitchen garden with the addition of flowers. Pink Jasmine, borage, and nasturtium make wonderful choices. It’s even possible to control your aphid population by planting sweet alyssum or yarrow that attract bugs which will take care of the problem. Once planted, they will also draw more bees to your garden which will help because of the cross-pollination. Bees positively love lavender and rosemary. You can grow your own flowers by buying callas or bearded iris bulbs for sale.

3.) Use Less Water

Because water is restricted in areas where it is scarce, you need to plant a garden that requires less water in order to be sustainable. A method of landscaping and gardening called xeriscaping includes the use of drought tolerant perennials and shrubs. You can also place a rain barrel at your downspouts base to collect rainwater to use on your garden.

Read More at Conserve-Energy-Future.com…