Green gardening tips can help you grow a healthy garden and attract local wildlife to your home. Growing vegetables is fun and a healthy hobby, while planting ornamentals and other plants can add aesthetic value to your yard. Using native plants is an ideal way to create a low-maintenance garden that attracts the right kinds of birds and wildlife.

Planting organic seeds

Planting organic seeds is a great way to save money and grow more food. You can buy certified organic seeds, soil, fertilizers and other organic amendments, which will ensure a healthier garden. If you are just starting out, you can choose to purchase seedlings or starter kits for your garden. Start indoors so you can control the growth of your plants. This will also help you grow a larger selection of plants than you can in the outdoors.

Organic seeds are grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. They are free of contaminants, and they are also guaranteed to be GMO-free. Look for the USDA organic seal on your seed packets.

Building healthy soil

Building healthy soil is an essential component of sustainable green gardening. It contains essential minerals, water, air and organic matter. It is also home to a diverse population of organisms that break down organic matter and release nutrients to plants. Building healthy soil means providing these organisms with plenty of water and air, as well as providing diverse food sources.

Building healthy soil is relatively easy. Taking the time to follow a few easy steps can improve your growing environment and produce healthy plants year after year. A thriving garden can reward you with healthy plants, lush foliage, and a bountiful harvest.

Using compost

Using compost is a great way to recycle kitchen scraps and other organic materials. It not only improves soil quality, but it also provides beneficial microorganisms. A compost pile should consist of roughly one part green materials to two parts brown materials. In addition to composting kitchen scraps, compost can also help your plants grow and thrive.

Compost is made from decaying organic yard waste and finely ground limestone. Adding these ingredients will accelerate the decomposition process and will give your soil the maximum benefit. Adding organic materials to the soil will increase the nutrient content of the soil and make it more fertile.

Choosing plants that are pest-resistant

There are many ways to reduce the risk of pest problems in your garden. One way is to choose plants that are suited to your area. Weeping willow trees, for example, do better farther north. In addition, choosing plants that are not attractive to pests will make your garden less appealing to pests.

Using insect-resistant plants also reduces the need for chemical pesticides, and it works well in conjunction with other direct control tactics. The best way to define insect resistance is by measuring plant yield loss and damage. This will help to create an economic threshold level based on crop value and insect control costs.

Harvesting rainwater

There are several benefits of harvesting rainwater. First, you can use it to irrigate your garden if there’s not enough rain to water your plants. If you have a main hose, you can point the nozzle into a trash can to distribute the water. Harvesting rainwater is not illegal in most states, but there are a few regulations.

Water is an important natural resource for gardeners, and finding a reliable source is key to success. During the 2001 New York City drought, gardeners were restricted from using hydrants, so GrowNYC and GreenThumb established the Water Resources Group to promote water conservation in urban gardens. Their efforts led to an Environmental Excellence Award from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Using recycled containers

Using recycled containers for green gardening has several advantages. Not only will you save money, you’ll help the environment as well. They are also highly durable and have many advantages. For instance, you can reuse the same plastic containers for multiple seasons. Many of them are even biodegradable. Using them will help reduce landfill waste.

You can use recycled containers to make plant spikes for your plants. You can cut a 2-litre plastic milk jug into rectangles for this purpose. Alternatively, you can use sturdy food-safe plastic containers as spikes.

Avoiding harmful sprays

While using pesticides can be helpful, they are also toxic, and can wind up in your local streams or rivers. It is best to keep these products away from your plants and pets, and to use non-toxic alternatives when possible. Also, remember to test any new insecticide on a small portion of your plant before using it on the rest. Then, spray only during the evening or early morning hours, when the temperature is at a cool or moderate level.

There are some natural insecticides that can be used on your plants and crops without harming them. Using a mixture of vegetable oil and a mild soap is a good way to control certain insects without harming your garden.