The Green Garden.

How does your garden grow? Hopefully it grows green! These days we should all be looking for ways to reduce our own personal carbon footprint and with spring upon us why not consider our gardening practices as well. When it comes to gardening there are many ways you can reduce your carbon footprint. For starters try starting your garden from seed this year. Seeds cost only pennies on the dollar as opposed to buying starter plants each year from the nursery. One packet of seeds can be used to start many plants and the unused seeds-if properly stored- will remain viable for up to 4 years! Not only will you have plants for yourself but you will be able to offer many plants to friends, family, and even local gardening clubs. Another great reason for starting from seed is that you can grow your plants in a more controlled environment and on a smaller scale than nursery bought plants. This alone will enable you to avoid using environment damaging pesticides and chemicals on your plants. A smaller scale garden benefits greatly from natural predators such as ladybugs, toads, and predatory wasps. Let these guys do the hard work in the way mother nature intended and your garden will definitely be green!

*Starting plants from seed will guarantee you many plants to share.

Another great way to go green in the garden is to recycle your supplies. Think about it, every time you buy a new nursery bought plant there is yet one more non-biodegradable pot that will ultimately end up in a landfill somewhere. Try and reuse these pots year after year to start your seedlings. Remember! They are not bio-degradable and will remain durable indefinitely. If you find that you have far more than you will need you can contact your local extension program for a list of places to donate these pots. Many schools, garden clubs, and home gardeners are sharing these supplies in an effort to adopt more earth friendly practices.

*Reusing plastic nursery pots goes a long way in reducing your carbon footprint.

Finally, to make your garden green, share with others! It is likely that you will have an abundance of fresh flowers and produce at harvest time. This is a wonderful opportunity to network and share with other green gardeners. By exchanging techniques and ideas you will be able to participate in making your community more aware of the need for more earth friendly garden practices. By doing so you will be doing your part to promote sustainable practices that will benefit the planet for years to come.