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Spring Forward With LIL Gardening Tips

While it might be unwise to predict the arrival of spring given all of the weird weather we've had this year, it can't be too long before we'll all be able to shed the winter wear and head outdoors. For us, nothing screams spring more than the smell of fresh earth turned over in the garden or those first green shoots from bulbs planted the previous fall. Before you head out and start planting, though, read on for some low-impact gardening tips.

1. Don't waste water. Many of us over-water our plants - believe it or not that daily douse may be bad for your plants. Most plants thrive on less frequent but deeper watering, as it builds healthy root systems. You can check the level of water in your soil using one of these simple devices - use it to determine when you really need to water. And, if you do need to water, early morning is the right time - nighttime watering risks the development of mildew and other problems, while during the day water evaporates due to the sun and wind.

If you have an irrigation system, now's the time to make sure you don't have leaks and to make repairs. Turn on your irrigation system and adjust it so that you're not watering the driveway or sidewalk. You also might consider installing a drip system in some or all of your yard - you'll save water and money by only putting water where it is needed. Last, an up-to-date irrigation controller can help control how much you are watering throughout the year. Schedules can be easily adjusted to match seasonal needs throughout the year, and watering times can be adjusted easily.

2. Use lower strength organic fertilizers and pesticides. The excess application of fertilizers and pesticides has a major impact on the health of our rivers, streams and oceans across the country. Whenever it rains, excess fertilizers and pesticides are carried via runoff into our rivers and oceans where they degrade water quality for humans and animals alike. As an example, summer dead zones cover thousands of square miles in the Gulf of Mexico, primarily due to fertilizers that wash off of agricultural fields upstream and fuel algae growth in the ocean.

Organic fertilizers and pesticides can get the same job done with less toxicity. They are often potent enough to do the job but don't leave as much left over if applied correctly. They are also not made from petrochemicals as are many standard fertilizers and pesticides. See a selection of fertilizers and pesticides we recommend.

3. Reduce runoff and reuse the rain. Another multiple benefit product is the rain barrel. It is simply a container that sits at the bottom of your existing gutter downspouts and stores rain from your roof to be used later to water plants. In addition to preventing that runoff from picking up pollutants as it runs across your yard and driveway, it also reduces the amount of fresh water needed in your gardens. Over the course of a year, a set of rain barrels can literally save thousands of gallons of water and $50 - $100 from your water and sewer bills. Click here to see our assortment of rain barrels, rain barrel accessories and mosquito control solutions. There you'll find the attachments needed for your gutters, and the chemicals that keep mosquitoes from breeding in the stored water - very important as the West Nile Virus spreads across the country.

4. Landscape with plants appropriate for your climate. Some parts of the country may be perfectly suited to plants requiring a lot of water (the South, Northwest, Northeast). In other areas such as the Southwest water-loving plants will inevitably require substantial irrigation, often doubling household water use in the very areas where water is the scarcest. Some plants from other parts of the world cause another problem. Examples such as certain types of ivies and vines can grow unchecked, taking over anything and everything in their path. With a little research, it is pretty easy to find attractive plants conducive to your local conditions. We've assembled some books that will help you get started. Or, for some professional assistance, click here to access our database of landscape designers across the country.

To take it one step further, consider planting native plants in your garden. What is a native plant? It is one that is indigenous to your area - perfectly adapted to your climate, and important as food to local wildlife as well. If you enjoy birds and butterflies all year long, this is the way to go. A great resource to get started in native gardening is the National Audubon Society. Click here to find a good Audubon summary, or on this link for more information and resources. Or, browse our selection of region-specific native landscaping books.

5. Recycle your lawn & garden clippings. Speaking of fertilizer, you can make some of your own soil nutrients right at home using a composter.. In case you can't tell from previous newsletters, we love composting - there are few better ways to reduce your trash output and save money on expensive soil conditioners at the same time. By mixing lawn and garden clippings with vegetable food wastes, you can produce rich compost in as little as two months. You can take it one step further by using a worm composter. Typical worm castings (used to enrich soil) can cost upwards of $1.00 per pound, so you can save some serious money here.

6. Plant a tree. According to the USDA Forest Service, a large shade tree planted in the right location can save nearly $30 in air conditioning costs, intercept 760 gallons of rainfall, and remove up to 330 pounds of carbon dioxide from the air each and every year! Click here to learn more specific to your area. In general, plant deciduous trees on the west and south sides of your home (they cool during the summer and don't block warming sun during the winter), and evergreen trees to block winds on the north and west. More information can be found here.

7. Plant an indoor garden. Do you live in an apartment, or is it still too cold to garden outdoors? Then consider adding plants indoors - in addition to their decorative value, plants can remove many harmful chemicals from your indoor atmosphere. Research performed by NASA suggests that common houseplants can remove carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and even benzene from indoor air (to see how some of those chemicals get there in the first place, click here). To learn more about the environmental benefits of indoor planting, click here.

We hope you have enjoyed our lawn care and gardening tips. They can be followed all year round to ensure that you have a healthy and lovely outdoor environment that is easy on the eyes, the soul and the planet!

Do you have a topic you would like us to cover? Send us an email at info@lowimpactliving.com and we will try to incorporate it in our newsletters over the next few months.

Individual results of using green products and services listed herein may vary. Low Impact Living, Inc. takes no responsibility for individual results, nor for service providers or products listed on this website.