Friday Five: Green Gardening Tips

Written by Heleigh Bostwick    Friday, 21 September 2012

1. Leave the grass clippings where they fall. Contrary to popular belief, they do not cause "thatch". Thatch is caused by over fertilizing. In fact, if you let the grass clippings decompose in situ you shouldn't even need fertilizer. 2. Instead of a power mower use a push mower. Instead of a leaf blower use a rake. It's better for your health and better for the environment because it reduces the amount of fossil fuels used and reduces the amount of fugitive emissions released into the atmosphere. 3. Use coir instead of peat moss, which is a finite resource. Coir is derived from the fibers of coconut shell husks and pressed into blocks, then reconstituted with water. Coir has no nutritional value for plants so it's necessary to augment it with compost or organic fertilizers when using it for potting soil. 4. Don't forget to conserve water by collecting rainwater in rain barrels or channeling runoff into a rain garden. 5. Take a walk through the woods or any natural ecosystem. You'll see an herb layer at ground level, a shrub layer, and a tree layer. Create mini-ecosystems and healthy plant communities by encouraging biodiversity in your yard by planting native trees, shrubs, flowers, vines, and groundcovers. Recommended reading: Great Garden Formulas: The Ultimate Book of Mix-It-Yourself Concoctions for Your Garden Green Things: Tips, Ideas, and Humor for the Garden and the Gardener