Eco-friendly garden tips | SA Garden and Home

Make your own compost

Did you know that by saving your food and garden waste and scraps, you can make your own compost? This means that your garden cuttings, veggie peels, coffee grounds and other waste will not end up in a landfill but rather will become natural, organic food for your plants.

Stay away from chemicals

Many pesticides and herbicides contain harmful chemicals that can cause damage to the environment. Additionally, synthetic fertilisers can pollute your soil and subsequently contaminate ground water, and should therefore be avoided wherever possible.

Upcycle household items

Instead of always buying new items for your garden like pots and tools, try to think about how you could use items already in your home that you might be about to throw away.

Grow indigenous plants

The great thing about indigenous plants is that they are specifically evolved to thrive in the South African environment. This means that they won’t over-consume water or become invasive like alien plants. On top of this, indigenous plants are great for biodiversity as they are particularly loved by local animals and insects!

Focus on being water-wise

Using grey water to water your garden can cut down on your water usage, therefore saving both money and the environment. On top of this, focusing on plants that have low water needs can also help you cut down on the amount of water that your garden requires.

Don’t forget flowers

Flowers are essential for attracting insects like butterflies and bees, which will lead to a host of other animals finding their way to your garden, like frogs and birds. This is important for fostering a self-sufficient ecosystem of diverse creatures right in your backyard.

Save some seeds

After originally establishing your garden, keep whichever seeds you can for the following year in order to regrow your plants. This can include seasonal fruits and veggies such as tomatoes, peppers, butternut and more.