Evds2702marks’s Weblog

This week we had a lecture all about gardening and I found it interesting but I was wondering what can all be used to create a sustainable garden. Gardening in a sustainable way is all about letting nature work as it normally does, not trying to change the process with man-made “solutions”. Here is a quote that I found inspiring while researching sustainable gardening:

“Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” Native American Indian saying.

Gardening is about respecting the earth, not trying to change the natural process that occurs. This means not using pesticides, keeping all growth processes organic. Also this means to reuse the plant in different ways. If there are fallen leaves, branch clippings, etc. they can be used in a compost or as mulch.  Another way of respecting nature is by letting plants grow where they naturally do. Planting exotic plants is not a good idea because the climate caters to the plants that are native to the area. Not only are local plants the best choice because they will flourish the best, but letting them takeover the landscape rather than concrete cities will reduce runoff and erosion. Lastly another way to create a sustainable garden is to create your own. Growing your own produce is not only good for you but also for the environment, reducing transportation, pesticide use and cost.

Gardens are the key to life, they provide us with food, give us oxygen and keep us happy.