# 4 Ways to a Greener Garden for an Eco-Friendly & Healthy Lifestyle

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/02/4-ways-to-a-greener-garden-for-an-eco-friendly-healthy-lifestyle/
- Published: 2022-02-21T12:39:20-05:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

Growing a garden is already a green activity, but there are certain things that 
you can do to make it even [greener](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/12/how-health-literacy-can-benefit-the-environment/).
Many people who have gardens may not be aware of all of the ways that their gardening
style is not so sustainable, and this can be due to using too much water, or using
too many synthetic products. Here are four ways to create a greener, more environmentally
[friendly](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/02/indoor-green-ways-to-create-an-eco-friendly-garden-inside/)
garden that will also benefit your health.

![](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/markus-spiske-
sFydXGrt5OA-unsplash.jpg?resize=200%2C300&quality=52&ssl=1)

## **1. Collect Rainwater to Water Your Plants**

Depending on what you grow in your [garden](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/07/7-ways-to-adapt-your-garden-between-summer-and-winter/),
you may have to use a lot of water to keep your plants hydrated. Because of this,
you use a significant amount of water each year which impacts the environment, and
not to mention, increases your water bill. Set some buckets or a rain barrel outside
of your home, so the next time it rains you’ll have some water to use for your [garden](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/07/how-to-create-a-sustainable-garden-in-your-retirement/).
This will really come in handy if you live in a drier area that doesn’t get rain
too often.

Another tip is to water your [garden](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/05/why-technology-must-become-more-eco-friendly/)
during the coolest part of the day to allow the water to penetrate into the soil.
This will cut down on the number of times you have to water your [garden](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/04/7-diy-garden-projects-for-inner-peace/).
If you wait until it’s hotter to water your garden, the water will evaporate from
the soil, causing you to have to water it over and over again. 

## **2. Compost as Fertilizer**

Take your discarded food scraps and even some old leaves from your yard and start
a [compost pile](https://www.nrdc.org/stories/composting-101) to use as fertilizer
for your garden. Not only does this allow you to recycle the food that you discard
rather than throw it in the trash. Organic matter is a great way to nourish soil,
[creating better outcomes for your garden](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/02/indoor-green-ways-to-create-an-eco-friendly-garden-inside/).
Compost contains both major nutrients and trace minerals needed to enrich the soil,
plus it’s much better for the environment— and your health— than using chemical-
based fertilizers.

You can include just about anything in your compost pile with a few exceptions. 
As far as food goes, you should generally stick to fruits, vegetables, and herbs—
including herbal tea bags. You can also compost eggshells, coffee filters, and most
plants. Just be aware of plants that may release harmful chemicals when composted,
and avoid insect-infested and diseased plants.

## **3. Plant With Intention**

In addition to growing your favorite flowers, fruits, vegetables, etc. in your garden,
you’ll also benefit from [planting certain plants](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/02/popular-plants-that-you-might-want-to-add-in-your-garden/)
and herbs in your garden. For example, eucalyptus, lavender, mint, and neem are 
all herbs that naturally repel insects and other bugs, eliminating the need for 
you to use pesticides in your garden. Growing the actual herb in your [garden](https://greenlivingguy.com/2005/05/us-dependence-on-foreign-oil-growing-experts/)
also keeps you from having to buy expensive essential oils, which have to be diluted
with water or carrier oil before use.

You can also plant organic seeds. Just like organic fruits and vegetables, organic
seeds are produced without toxic chemicals. This will make your garden even more
eco-friendly, and ensure that the produce you grow is truly organic.

## **4. Switch from Chemical-Based Pesticides to Natural Ones**

While we’re on the subject of natural pesticides, there are also natural alternatives
to other pesticides such as fungicides and herbicides. Cinnamon oil and jojoba oil
are great fungicides for your soil, and mixing up some milk with a little bit of
water can greatly reduce the amount of [mold](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/03/canon-goes-real-on-coral-reefs/)
that can grow in the soil. As for herbicides, you can use boiling water to kill 
weeds, though this method may cause you to use more water than necessary. Other 
ways to naturally get rid of weeds include:

 * Applying heat directly to the weeds
 * Borax and water mixture
 * Salt and vinegar mixture

It’s important to consider natural alternatives to pesticides because many on the
market contain chemicals. That means they can pose a threat to not only the environment
but to human health as well. In fact, there have been [lawsuits filed against the herbicide paraquat](https://www.rosenfeldinjurylawyers.com/news/how-much-are-the-paraquat-lawsuit-settlement-amounts/)
for its link to Parkinson’s disease. Both fungicides and insecticides that are chemical-
based have also been known to be dangerous to humans as well.

_Having a garden is already beneficial to your health. That’s because gardening 
allows you to soak up sunlight and get in some physical activity. Not to mention,
the nutritious foods if you’re growing fruit, vegetables, and herbs. When you garden
more sustainably and organically, you’re [benefiting both your health](https://greenlivingguy.com/2013/02/clean-sewage-treatment-and-public-health-benefits/)
and the environment._