Greener Gardening
As Canadians, I’m sure we’ve all heard the saying, April blizzards bring May flowers. Well, we’ve had our annual spring blizzard, which must mean it’s nearly time for gardening season!
I’m not an expert gardener (so I can’t provide you with any life-changing gardening tips and tricks), but I can provide you with some creative ways to garden more sustainably. And for my non-gardeners, perhaps I can convince you to try it out.
Why Garden?
There are a lot of reasons for us to consider growing our own garden. Of course there’s the sustainability side, but there are so many other benefits too! Here are some of the best reasons for you to consider starting a garden this year:
Save money on your weekly grocery bill by growing your own fruits and veggies.
Say no to plastic produce packaging from the grocery store by growing your own.
Soak up some vitamin D - a garden is the perfect excuse to spend the day outside.
Pickle, jam, and can the fruits of your labour in the fall to enjoy all winter long!
Growing wildflowers and other flowering plants helps save the bees and attract other pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds.
Many flowers help to support your local ecosystem by feeding insects or birds.
Create a community by sharing extra veggies at work or within your neighbourhood.
Plants are great for your mental health – whether they’re inside or out!
The Sustainable Side of Things
Of course this is a sustainability blog, so we’re going to talk a bit more about the sustainable aspects of gardening. Starting a garden is a great step, but here are a few extra things to consider:
Use What You Have
There’s no need to go out and buy a bunch of fancy equipment when you can get creative with what you have at home. Last year we accidentally “salmonella’d” some wooden skewer sticks, so we decided to use them in our garden to keep our vegetables from toppling over. Another idea is using yogurt containers or glass jars as pots if you’re starting out small.
Save Your Seeds
Collect seeds from your veggies at the end of each season to save for next year. This way you can save money on seeds and reduce waste!
Consider the Material
This is a super easy swap, but it makes a big difference! Avoid plastics in both your garden tools and your work gloves. Look for handles that are either wood or metal and consider using gloves with natural fibres.
Use Greener Alternatives
Look for safe but effective pesticides. Last year I had to combat slugs with varying degrees of success. This year I’ll be trying copper tape – a natural solution. Another great natural pesticide is neem oil.
Conserve water and save money on your utility bill by using a rain barrel. For those of us where we don’t get a lot of rain, pull it out when the snow starts to melt - you can even shovel snow onto it and repeat as it melts. Many municipalities have programs where you can purchase discounted rain barrels. Unfortunately the St. Albert program is still closed due to the pandemic but hopefully it will reopen soon.
Reuse Your Scraps
Did you know if you put lettuce or green onion stems in water they’ll grow? Try it for yourself and see.
Then of course there’s composting which requires an article unto itself but if you’re curious, the city of Edmonton has some great resources.
Not Into Gardening?
Some of us just aren’t excited by the idea of a big vegetable garden – and that’s A-okay! Gardens aren’t for everyone. Whether you’re worried about the time, the space, or it’s just personal preference, there are still ways for you to enjoy the benefits of a garden, just on a smaller scale.
Instead of a massive garden, consider planting some flowers in pots outside your home for the pollinators (local wildflowers are beautiful and great for the bees). Or, if you’re worried about maintenance you can create a DIY herb garden with your old yogurt containers like this one here! Both these options are much lower maintenance than a big garden.
Still not convinced? It’s almost farmers market season! The perfect excuse to head outside and enjoy fresh, locally grown foods without having to put the work in yourself.
If you’re inspired to get planting, check out these adorable indoor planters by Greyshed.
