Like every June 5 since 1974, World Environment Day is celebrated, a date that remembers the importance of taking care of the planet that welcomes us as much as possible. A planet in which, unfortunately, many humans act as if the resources were unlimited, something that is far from reality.
But this is not intended to be a critical article, but rather a guide to things you, as a gardener or a garden enthusiast, can do to help protect the environment.
We only have one planet Earth, and it’s badly beaten. But that does not mean that the expression “great evils, great remedies” should be taken at face value. We are millions of humans who inhabit it, and each and every one of us can do little things to improve our quality of life. Here are some tips especially dedicated to gardening enthusiasts, collectors, and gardeners:
Acquire native plants or that live in climates similar to yours
When you are going to design a garden, or if you want to have a low maintenance patio, you always have to try to get native plants. These are the most suitable because, as they are already adapted to the climatic conditions of the area, they will hardly need care (In fact, if the plants are in the ground, it is most likely that from the second year you will not even have to water them).
I understand, from my own experience, that when you decide to take a look at these, it is normal that you do not like them or they do not convince you to include them in the design you had in mind. But that should not worry you excessively, since fortunately planet Earth is very large, and it is not an excessively complicated task to find plants that live in climates similar to the one you have. What’s more, to find them you just have to visit a nearby nursery, and take a look at the plants they have outside all year round.
Don’t buy more plants than you can take care of
It usually happens quite often that when you start to buy plants, and you like them more and more … in the end you end up with a full balcony, or a crowded garden. In principle, nothing has to happen; That is to say, it is your money and obviously you spend it on what you want, but it is highly recommended that, before purchasing a plant, you think well if you can take care of it.
For example, if you usually go on a summer trip for a long time, the ideal would be to buy few plants and that are also resistant to drought. And if what you have is a patio or terrace full of pots, it is better not to get more. Think that, on the one hand, plants grow (some more than others), and on the other, some will want sun; so it is necessary that each one is located in the right place, where it can be well.
Avoid the use of chemicals
The chemicals used to care for plants can do a lot of damage to the environment, especially if they are used badly and / or too frequently. On the one hand, we have pesticides (insecticide, miticide, fungicide), and on the other, fertilizers. The former are used to kill pests and diseases, but It is necessary that we know that these products do not differentiate, because they cannot, a beneficial insect from another harmful. And if we talk about fertilizers, they modify the properties of a soil, thus harming the life that is in it.
Therefore, we invite you to take care of your plants with natural products. Thus, if one day you realize that your garden has become full of parasites, instead of spraying everything with insecticide, try better to cover everything with diatomaceous earth.
Related article:
Natural remedies and fertilizers for your plants
Attract the fauna of your area
The placement of waterers and feeders for birds, nests and hotels for insects are simple things that will help you have a more productive orchard and / or gardenand incidentally, more alive. In addition, planting flowering plants will allow bees and butterflies to get closer, and they can feed on pollen and / or nectar.
Of course, the only thing you should keep in mind is that if you have pets or cats pass through your area, it is better that before doing anything you make sure that the fauna you want to attract will be safe. For example, in a garden with cats and / or dogs it will not be a good idea to put bird nests, but nothing will happen to place some hotel for insects in a corner.
Keep your garden or patio free of inorganic waste
After a lunch or dinner outdoors, we must try to remove everything that has been used: plates, glasses, cutlery … Surely you already do, but also check that there is not even a small package, such as the candy. If it’s a little windy, they end up being blown somewhere in the garden, and they can stay there for a long time, until someone finds them.
If an animal is attracted to the color of the packaging and / or the smell, it could be in serious trouble; hence the removal of inorganic waste is essential to take care of the environment.
Reuse whenever you can, and when not, recycle
Image – Flickr / Magda Wojtyra
Apart from the pests that we all know (locusts, ants, …), there is one in particular that is suffocating the planet and it is plastics. Plastic is a material that takes centuries to decompose completely, but nevertheless it is manufactured in mass: bottles, gloves, masks, bags, pots, … You, as a gardener or hobbyist, can do a lot to give them the longest useful life possible to these things.
For example: when a plastic pot no longer works as such, you can cut it into pieces and insert these in another to cover a little the drainage holes in its base, thus ensuring that the substrate does not come out. Fertilizer containers and the like can be cleaned with water and a little soap for later use.Or you can even cut them in half, poke a hole or several small holes in the base, and use them as planting containers.
Once the product is no longer usable, take it for recycling.
With these tips you can help take care of the environment.
