Cultivating a Greener Haven:
Sustainable Landscaping and Gardening Tips
Sustainable landscaping and gardening practices offer a fantastic opportunity to minimize our ecological footprint while enhancing the beauty of our outdoor spaces. In this blog post, we will explore some essential tips to help you embark on your journey towards sustainable landscaping and gardening.
Embrace Native Plants
Native plants are well-adapted to the local climate, soil conditions, and wildlife, requiring minimal water, fertilizer, and pesticides. They also attract native pollinators and birds, promoting biodiversity and thereby contributing to a healthier ecosystem.
Research indigenous plants in your area and choose those that suit your garden’s needs and aesthetic preferences.
A good tip is to input your location and forest ecosystem to find a plant list suitable for your zone.
So for those living in Nova Scotia, if you search Acadian forest ecosystem, that should populate a list of native plants in your region.
Bear in mind that due to climate change, we are seeing more plants migrate north from the Carolinian forest ecosystem. No need to be alarmed—this is a natural process. Like animals, plants migrate and adapt to new places. We need to be more open-minded about new plants in our area and do our due diligence regarding research to know whether to embrace it or determine it is invasive.
Follow us on social media (Facebook/Instagram) to be informed on all upcoming events.
Did you know that we will be having a Plant Sale soon? Details to come!
Be Water-Wise
Conserving water is crucial in sustainable gardening. Implementing water-wise strategies not only reduces water consumption but also protects this precious resource.
Consider these tips:
- Install a rainwater harvesting system to collect and store rainwater for irrigation.
- Group plants according to their water needs, creating hydro zones and thus reducing water waste.
- Apply mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weed growth.
Compost and Mulch
Composting is an excellent way to recycle kitchen scraps, yard waste, and plant trimmings. By composting, you not only divert waste from landfills but also produce nutrient-rich soil amendment for your garden. Be sure to do your own research on what items are and are not acceptable.
As mentioned, mulching helps conserve moisture, suppresses weeds, and improves soil health. Mulching works to create a protective layer around plants, keeping the soil cool and moist, due to its water retention properties. Not only do they provide practical benefits to your garden, they add a soft touch to your outdoor space while also work to decompose naturally overtime.
Helping Nature Heal offers both mulching and wood chip (for trails and pathways) services—see details below:
Create Food Forests
Food forests allow for a way to mimic natural forest ecosystems. Different types of food-bearing plants (think trees, shrubs and perennials) are carefully selected and arranged to create a cohesive and self-sustaining system. The plants benefit each other and create food (berries, pollen) and habitat for pollinator species such as bees and various birds.
Learn how to create your own food forest by purchasing our Food Forest Creation Guide Booklet, written by staff at Helping Nature Heal.
Include Wildlife-Friendly Features
Invite wildlife into your garden by incorporating features that provide food, water, and shelter. This includes creating a small pond and including flowering plants that attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
Due to increasing bird diseases spread through the saliva of infected birds, having bird feeders is not encouraged. Rather, find out what birds eat in nature and plant those species to invite them in.
By supporting biodiversity, you create a balanced ecosystem that helps control pests and pollinates your plants naturally.
Ensure Organic Soil Practices
Healthy soil is the foundation of a thriving garden. Adopt organic soil practices such as using organic fertilizers, compost, and cover crops to improve soil structure, fertility, and microbial activity. Avoid synthetic chemicals that can harm beneficial organisms and leach into the groundwater.
Kelp is one of the most valuable soil and plant supplements in the world. It contains 70 naturally occurring minerals, trace elements, amino acids, vitamins and digestive enzymes in its tissues. Studies have shown that gardens that use kelp have an increase in pest and disease resistance.
At Helping Nature Heal, we have developed our Abundance Fertilizer which is 100% natural and contains kelp iodine concentrate, specifically formulated mycorrhizal fungi and beneficial bacteria. It is also produced locally in Nova Scotia and is an excellent source of micronutrients for plant and garden care.
We have been using this formulation for the past 20 years and have recently partnered with Acadia University, Saint Mary’s University and Lambton College to study the effects on plants.
We are looking to stock our shelves in the 2024/25 growing season (upon completion of the study).
Responsible Lawn Care:
Lawns are notorious water guzzlers and require significant maintenance. Consider reducing the size of your lawn or replacing it with drought-tolerant ground covers, native grasses, or meadow-like landscapes.
If you choose to maintain a lawn, consider switching to electric or manual mowers, which are more environmentally friendly alternatives as gas-powered mowers contribute to air and noise pollution in addition to greenhouse gas emissions. Also, be sure to adjust your mower’s height to a higher setting, promoting deeper root growth and reducing water needs.
Sustainable landscaping and gardening practices empower us to become stewards of the environment, making a positive impact on our surroundings. By embracing native plants, conserving water, composting, practicing integrated pest management, and creating wildlife-friendly features, we can transform our gardens into vibrant, eco-friendly spaces that contribute to the overall well-being of our planet.
Let’s create green havens that not only delight our senses but also support the delicate balance of nature, ensuring a healthier and more sustainable world for generations to come. Together, we can make a difference.
Rosmarie’s Upcoming Events
As the weather is slowly warming up, Rosmarie has various projects, site visits and events that she will be attending.
June 8th: Rosmarie will be meeting with Jeff Domm (nature guide author/illustrator) and Jon Stone regarding their upcoming book about the importance of welcoming wildlife to your backyard and creating greater biodiversity.
June 9th: Rosmarie will be attending a Tick Conference hosted by the University of Montreal in Municipality of the District of Lunenburg (MODL) Council Chambers
June 19th: Poster presentation for Canadian Water Resource Association (CWRA)
June 21st: Speaking at the CWRA Conference (Topic: Slowing Erosion in Steep Slopes in the Maritimes)
Recent Testimonials
Featured below are recent testimonials from our clients on our services
