Ladybugs--who
are attracted to sunflowers and marigolds, among other common
plants--and ground beetles eat certain kinds of aphids which can be
harmful to garden or lawn vegetation. Additionally, hanging bird
feeders and nesting boxes can attract birds who can take care of
pesky caterpillars and slugs. What this adds up to is a mitigation of
the need or want to use harmful pesticides to take care of bug
problems that one might encounter. Plus, those who employ the above
methods gain the added benefit of a lively atmosphere around their
lawn and garden!
Recycling
is a good way to reduce one’s contribution to manufacturing
processes that put harmful chemicals in the atmosphere. One way to
decorate a lawn or garden is to re-use salvaged items, such as glass
bottles, wooden pallets, and empty containers. In many instances,
recycling itself is a manufactured process because of the need to
clean and sanitize materials, so re-purposing items before they even
need to be recycled circumvents the need for this process altogether,
and it lends a very unique look to the lawn.
Composting
is a natural and efficient way to fertilize lawns, plus it provides a
self-contained method of recycling one’s own organic material. Be
careful of the items used for compost, as meat or bones could attract
unwanted pests or rodents! Composting eggshells, vegetables and
fruits, coffee grounds, and weeds then using it as a natural
fertilizer aids soil by aerating it, supplementing it with nutrients,
and helping it retain moisture.
These
are just a few tips to go green in gardens and lawns. There are many
other ways to reduce one’s own impact on the environment by simply
considering and researching simple ideas like the ones described
here.
