The conversation on global sustainability and eco-friendly living has gained momentum in recent years. Climate change affects us all, and there are steps we can take to move towards a greener, more sustainable future, beyond relying solely on big corporations and governments to initiate change. Interestingly, during the Covid-19 lockdown, approximately 1/3 of people reportedly embraced eco-friendly practices, demonstrating their genuine willingness to make small changes that have a significant impact.

In this article, we will explore simple yet effective features that contribute to an eco-friendly home, including tips for your garden. If you are looking for simple and effective gardening tips, you have come to the right place.

What are the Solutions to Eco-Friendly?

#1 Use energy-efficient gadgets

We have the advantage of accessing a wide range of energy-efficient gadgets that are generally cost-effective. Opting for more efficient gadgets rather than energy-draining appliances can greatly reduce electricity usage and be budget-friendly. You can use smart plugs to schedule appliance usage, consider investing in a smart thermostat to reduce heating usage, replace old light bulbs with LED or energy-saving bulbs, and switch to an ‘eco’ shower head that conserves water and energy.

#2 Choose plants with sequential flowering

It is worth emphasizing the significance of having a variety of plants flowering at different times throughout the year. This ensures a consistent presence of crucial pollinators in your garden, which in turn enhances the growth of your plants. One cost-effective method to maintain blooming flower beds is by collecting seeds from your own stock.

This approach both in their vegetable and herb gardens, attracts pollinators and beneficial insects while deterring pests from damaging the crops. This concept can be equally applied to ornamental flower bed ideas, allowing nature to continuously replenish and enhance the supply of beautiful blooms.

It can be difficult to plan your plants’ flowering sequence correctly, but you can make it easier with a plant identifier app. There is a special plant identifier application that can recognize plants simply from photographs. When you’re just walking through the park or visiting a plant exhibition, use the app for iPhone and you can make a list of the plants you like. The app for plants contains all the necessary information about plant growth, its preferences, care features, and flowering duration. It doesn’t matter whether you are an experienced gardener or just faced with the need to care for your garden, the plant app will help you achieve the perfect result.

#3 Composting

People have increasingly embraced composting as they become more environmentally conscious. Composting not only reduces waste but also offers a cost-effective source of fertilizers for plants.

To start composting, choose a spot in your garden for a composting bin with a lid to deter pests. Then, add a mixture of household and garden waste items, including vegetables, fruit scraps, wood shavings, weeds, and old newspapers. This will create an ideal environment for composting bugs. After six to nine months, you’ll have nutrient-rich compost ready to use in your garden. This eco-friendly solution reduces waste and benefits your household.

#4 Recycle

People have been promoting recycling for quite some time now, and in most cases, you should have no excuse for not using your recycling bin. Instead of throwing things away, think about what could be reused. For instance, you can cut up old clothes that aren’t suitable for charity and use them as cleaning rags. If you have a garden, your used yogurt pots can be excellent containers for starting seedlings. Be innovative and think outside the box.

#5 Check your cleaning products

Harsh chemicals, typically found in cleaning products, have the potential to cause harm to the environment. Over time, these products are washed away or poured down drains, ultimately contaminating our waterways. Fortunately, numerous eco-friendly alternatives are emerging that are equally effective without posing any harm. Supermarkets even stock environmentally friendly brands like Ecover and Method.

It is also important to be mindful of your hygiene products. Some toothpastes contain ‘microbeads,’ which are made of microplastics – tiny plastic particles that contribute to water pollution. Once present, these particles are exceptionally difficult to remove.

#6 Avoid pesticides

Chemical pesticides are frequently purchased to eradicate common garden pests like slugs, snails, and unwanted weeds. However, they can potentially contaminate soil, water, turf, and vegetation, posing harm to bees, birds, and other pollinators. Consequently, these pesticides can do more harm than good if your goal is to cultivate plants and flowers.

Alternatively, you can explore natural alternatives such as neem oil, garlic spray, or homemade concoctions like soap and water mixtures. Not only are these methods more environmentally friendly, but they also ensure greater safety for you and your family.

#7 Use the no-dig method

If you can, opt for a no-dig approach when cultivating to improve soil quality in the long run. Rather than engaging in laborious digging, promote weed elimination by allowing cardboard (sourced from reusing parcel boxes) and compost to biodegrade. All you have to do is make a small hole to plant in your nutrient-rich soil.

Conclusion

Growing your own food in your own garden is about taking care of your health and the environment. In fact, this is the only way to know exactly what you are eating. With these eco-friendly solutions, your products are guaranteed to be of high quality without wasting the Earth’s resources. Share with us, what are 5 things you do at home to be eco-friendly?