You’d think an activity that’s so close to the earth would be as sustainable as it comes, but unfortunately, not all garden practices are made equally. If our goal as gardeners is to celebrate and enhance the beauty of earth, then we mustn’t do it harm in the process. That’s why we’re always looking for ways to embrace sustainable gardening and share them with our Yard Butler community.
Today we’ve rounded up six tips from our team of experts to help you practice environmental stewardship in your garden. Try them out this summer!
Compost
Composting is good for the planet and for your soil. It’s a great way to make use of inedible organic material (like our food scraps, leaves, clippings, and other garden debris) and reduce landfill-generated greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, using compost in your garden improves soil water retention, reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, and promotes higher crop yields by supplying the nutrients that make plants thrive. Turning a compost pile can be tough work, so make sure to grab one of our Compost Aerators to make the job easier.
Need help getting a compost pile started? Check out our blog on how to compost in your garden!
Build Healthy Soil
Healthy soil is better able to store carbon, nutrients, and water. Unless you have sticky clay or heavily compacted soil, you’ll want to reduce tilling to allow your rich topsoil to stay put. Frequent disruption or over-tilling exposes your soil to air and sun, reducing its moisture content and releasing previously sequestered carbon into the air. Try our Garden Twist Tiller to selectively break up ground in areas of your garden that really need it, while leaving the rest intact.
Look for multi-purpose tools
At Yard Butler, we design, produce, and package our tools with the planet in mind because we know that bountiful, beautiful gardens depend on a healthy planet. Part of that commitment means creating multi-purpose tools at every opportunity because when it comes to sustainable consumption, less is more. If we had to pick just two tools that every gardener should have, it’d be our Terra Tiller Hand Cultivator (it’s got a dual head!) and our Terra Handheld Garden Rake.
Prioritize quality
Your garden tools shouldn’t end up in the landfill after one season. So, even though it may be tempting to grab the lowest-priced tool you can find, give it a second thought for the planet’s sake. Look for tools that can withstand years of hard, outdoor work. At Yard Butler, we say “no” to flimsy plastic and weak metals. Instead, we build our tools with powder-coated steel that’s heavy-duty and rust-resistant so they can serve your gardening needs for years to come. We even offer replacement parts to extend the life of our most tried and true tools so that they don’t get tossed just because a single fitting came loose.
Grow your own food
Global food production is responsible for nearly a quarter of our total greenhouse gas emissions. When we grow our own food, we reduce the environmental impact of that production by eliminating the need for transportation, processing, and packaging. We also have control over the way our food is grown and the type of food we grow. With our Raised Garden Bed Brackets, you can quickly and easily create a garden bed – no tools required! Fill in your bed with organic soil, top with compost, and sow with organic seeds.
Yard Butler Tip! Companion planting is a must for organic vegetable gardening, as it reduces your reliance on pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. This method deters insects, minimizes disease, and can even result in increased yields and improved flavor. For example, try planting nasturtiums with your summer tomatoes and zucchini to ward off fungal disease and aphids.
Be water wise
As drought conditions intensify in the Western United States, it’s more important than ever to conserve water in your garden. Grab your garden hose and deliver water selectively to the areas of your garden that need it most rather than wasteful overhead sprinklers. Not only is this a more responsible use of water resources, it’s also better for your plants (check out this post to learn more about the benefits of hand watering).
Deep watering trees and shrubs helps them survive periods of high temperature and drought, but it also reduces evaporation and runoff. Keep yours healthy throughout the summer season with periodic deep watering. Our Deep Root Irrigator lets water penetrate deep below the surface without disrupting what lies above.
Show off your garden!
We want to see how you all practice sustainability in your gardens. Share your photos on social media and be sure to tag us! We’re on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.