There’s always a wistful air of change when we welcome a new year. For gardeners, it’s about seeking better practices to improve their skills. However, it goes beyond scoring better tools or caring for exotic plants. Greener ways to grow must be part of any gardener’s new year’s resolutions.

Pollution Caused by Gardening

You may not know it but many common gardening habits can cause pollution. For example, contaminated soil contain arsenic and lead, which is not only bad for nature but can also make your crops toxic. Another is the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides instead of using tools that encourage eliminating these harmful aids completely.

Sustainable gardening is responsible growing. As this year comes to an end, learn the following green gardening methods that will help you say hello to a better new year.

Tips for Sustainable Gardening

1. Design your garden mindfully

It’s essential that you have a sustainable plan for your garden. Make the most of found items you can recycle and use for walk ways, walls and other design features. Buying from stores always equate to more carbon emissions and fossil fuels being burned.

Water conservation also plays a pivotal role when it comes to eco-friendly garden designs. You want your plants to be placed strategically so you’re not wasting water. Shade-loving plants can be put under sun-loving ones. Water-craving plants can be put where moist thrives more, or where it can welcome rain water. This way, not only are you saving resources. You can also ensure your plants are getting the right care.

2. Save your seeds

Another tip is to save your seeds. Just when your flowers and vegetable mature, they will produce seeds before drying out. Save those seeds and store them in a cool dry place. This way, you can grow your plants in time for next spring and not have to buy new ones.

If you’re only starting to save seeds now, some of the easiest ones to manage are tomatoes, beans, peppers and peas.

3. Make your own compost

You’d be surprised as to how many gardeners continue to toss out their grass clippings and dried leave to landfills. This is a big no-no, considering the millions of metric tons of waste tossed out to decompose for hundreds of years.

Make your own compost using these materials instead. If you don’t have too many trees, go around the neighborhood and be the angel to gladly take their discarded leaves and clippings. The trick is to find what you can first before buying or letting things go to waste.

4. Ditch the machine

Sure, you’re going to work out a sweat but skipping the machine conserves power, and lessens pollution. If you’re more than physically capable, whip out the rake, shovel and some elbow grease. You can also invest on electronic or manual mowers.

5. Invest on the right tools

Having the right set of tools not only makes the work easier. It also helps ensure you’re gardening sustainably. For example, raised beds encourages you to leave behind toxic repellants for critters. Landscape fabrics also help fight weeds off naturally instead of using pesticides.

Keep these tips in mind to help ensure the survival of our planet. Here’s to welcoming the new year as more responsible and conscious gardeners.