It’s easy to assume that just because your garden is outdoors, that it qualifies as an entirely green or natural space. This isn’t wholly accurate actually, as a lot of the systems we use to plant, maintain and care for our gardens can introduce unnatural or non-green substances which could harm the environment or contribute to the industries which are damaging the Earth.

In this post, we are going to talk about some of the methods you can use and equipment you can swap to make your garden the most natural space possible Hopefully, by the end, you will be inspired to make a few changes to your outdoor environment or to the way that you look after it.

Planters and Plant Pots

Whenever you’re looking to make any environment greener or more natural, the first thing to do is look at materials. Particularly in smaller gardens or spaces that lack soil flower beds, planters and plant pots are extremely common; yet, these pots can often introduce plastics, pollutants or unnatural substances to your garden space. Even hanging planters are usually made from treated metals.

This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t use planters in your garden, it’s simply about selecting the greenest ones available. In general, look for wooden planters to house your herbs and flowers as these are the most likely to match your natural aesthetic as well as disrupt the ecosystem as little as possible. Similarly, follow the same rules for plant pots or, if you are going to transition from a plant pot to a planter, consider investing in a biodegradable pot to both care for your surroundings and make the move easier.

General Garden Maintenance

Garden maintenance can be frustrating, often taking up hours you’d prefer to spend relaxing. However, this is the cost of a great garden! One of the things we can lean towards when it comes to maintenance is using tools and materials that make our lives easier, without thinking about their environmental impact. Fortunately, there are plenty of greener ways to look after your outdoor space.

Firstly, it’s important to note that there are plenty of ideas around creating a low maintenance garden which you could use to shape an outdoor space which requires little work anyway. However, if you already have a garden that you like and it needs regular work, use some of the following techniques to stay green and natural:

• Swap a PVC garden hose for a natural rubber alternative.
• Swap plastic handled garden tools for wooden-handled alternatives.
• Swap synthetic twine for natural twine when tying plants.
• Instead of buying a plastic watering can use a jug you already have at home. This will decrease the overall footprint of your garden maintenance whilst also freeing up storage space.
• Swap plastic plant labels for wooden ones.
• Use old envelopes to store seeds for next season, rather than buying new ones.
• Avoid chemical pesticides and use natural repellents where necessary.

Ornaments, Trinkets and Water Features

Finally, consider what water features and general garden additions you have which may impact soil quality, ph value and the natural ecosystem of your garden. Water features and the underground piping they require can disrupt both animals within the soil and the plants over the pipes. Similarly, plastic ornaments can contribute to one of the most damaging industries whilst introducing unnecessary materials to your outdoor space which could potentially reach the wildlife in the area.

Using these strategies, you should be able to make sure that your garden remains as green and natural as possible. Hopefully, this will have inspired you to make a few changes to the way that you look after your garden. Good luck on your green journey and let’s all work together to make a difference.

What are your favorite tips for making your garden a more natural space?

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“Shared at Homestead Blog Hop #309”