Last year took everyone by surprise and society had to re-invent their schedules. Thus, many people had begun to explore new hobbies. How many of us considered introducing ourselves to eco-friendly activities that would help reduce the carbon footprint of our beloved home, the earth?
Benefits of Gardening
Gardening is considered one of the best ways to reduce pollution since by growing your own garden, you are the one to decide what goes in your plants and into your soil. This allows you to reduce the number of harmful chemicals polluting our environment and waterways. In addition, gardening promotes sustainable agriculture by reducing food transportation costs and reducing water runoff. All species of life can all benefit from urban agriculture since it creates habitats and improves the ecology of the area.
Gardening is crucial for health benefits as well. A recent study has reported a positive association between gardening and various health outcomes. The results indicated that gardening can improve physical, psychological, and social health, which can, from a long-term perspective, alleviate and prevent various health issues facing today’s society.
3 Tips for Eco-Friendly Gardening
Considering the health benefits, it is vital to encourage people to garden. Here are three tips to successfully creating your own abundant garden.
1. Regrow Your Vegetables
Although this might be a common tip, it creates a chain effect of a zero-waste lifestyle. This is crucially important especially during these times. Regrowing vegetable scraps is a way to reduce waste and it is more effective compared to throwing them away or composting them. Some vegetables that can be regrown include lettuce, leeks, green onions, celery and fennel. The steps are simple, really! All you have to do is place the root ends of the vegetable in a bowl with water and place it in a sunny place. Once the plant grows in size, transfer it to a pot and you will soon have your vegetables.
You can even use the seeds to regrow your vegetables. However, some seeds require fermentation for the gelatinous coating around them to dissolve, improving germination. Some steps to follow is to soak the seeds for at least two days and then leave them to dry. This method works for any vegetable, including cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers!
2. Soil Preparation
Choosing the perfect spot for your garden can be energy draining. But there is a way to create your own garden using potted plants. Just remember that the amount of sunlight is very important in the growth process. Carefully prepare your soil and make sure the area is clear (no leaves, for example). An important hack is to avoid placing the seeds in one spot, but rather scatter the seeds everywhere and cover them with a few millimetres of soil. If you are planting carrots, bury the seeds a bit deeper. Firm the soil down to ensure good contact between the seeds. Don’t forget to water your plants!
3. Take Notes
What is gardening without note-taking? We all need to be prepared to make changes in our gardening methods and the first step to that is to take notes. Record the results you get when trying different types of water sources or soil sources, for example. All these factors play a huge role in the formation of your garden. Some people find gardening on an inclined part of the yard helpful. This can even protect the crops. Sometimes, the neighbour’s dog may accidentally get into your garden. Creating a small barrier with fences can be helpful and also adds a nice touch of elegance. Be open to making changes.
Conclusion
With the above tips, you can create your own abundant garden. Gardening is so much more than a task. It is a fun activity to do with friends and family to create a better, sustainable world. It even provides a mood boost or calmness. And the best part is enjoying the fresh vegetables or fruits right from your garden! At GSGF, we promote growing your own produce for sustainability and healthy eating.
Sources:https://www.iga.net/en/articles/5_steps_to_successful_seedlings_and_an_abundant_home_garden
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335516301401
https://seedtofork.com/blog/2019/5-keys-to-creating-your-dream-garden
https://web.extension.illinois.edu/vegguide/tensteps.cfm
Why Gardening Matters
