Jennifer Miree Cope Presents 5 Sustainable Gardening Practices that Will Save You Some Money
Start writing a post
News

Jennifer Miree Cope Presents 5 Sustainable Gardening Practices that Will Save You Some Money

These days, there are sustainable practices for just about any activity, from eating to driving to shopping.

105
Jennifer Miree Cope Presents 5 Sustainable Gardening Practices
that Will Save You Some Money

These days, there are sustainable practices for just about any activity, from eating to driving to shopping. But have you ever thought about sustainable gardening? Jennifer Miree Cope recommends 5 sustainable gardening practices that you can start today.

These practices are easy to implement, will reduce your carbon footprint, and will also save you money.

1. Conserve Water

Water is quickly becoming a scarce resource, particularly in dry parts of the world. Conservation of water is an important part of sustainability, and that extends to gardening practices.

There are several ways you can conserve water when gardening. One way is simply to measure and be careful. Research how much water your plants need, measure your water, and don’t give your plants more water than they require.

Another good option is to incorporate drought-tolerant plants like shrubs and perennials. These plants not only look great but will help you save water and money.

2. Practice Organic Gardening

While there are plenty of products on the market that do everything from help your plants grow to kill weeds, some of them are not sustainable. Some gardening products are produced using wasteful processes, and the chemicals in them can harm the planet.

To avoid using these chemicals, start with good soil and add natural compost. You can make your own compost or source it from a local partner. If you need a product for killing weeds or pests, there are organic solutions.

3. Recycle Garden “Waste”

When you pull weeds or dead plants or trim your garden, you can end up with a lot of unwanted material. Instead of taking these items to a landfill, you can compost this waste. Clippings, excess soil, and even dried leaves can be turned into fertilizer in a compost pile.

This fertilizer is excellent for your garden and is much more sustainable than using chemical fertilizers. If you can’t use the compost yourself, check if your local community has a yard waste recycling program.

4. Use Native Plants

When you go to choose which plants to incorporate into your garden, make sure to choose plants that are indigenous to your region.

These plants are suited to your climate, soil type, and rainfall levels, so they require less water and maintenance. Planting non-indigenous plants may end up requiring more water, soil, and treatment, making them a far less sustainable option.

5. Grow Your Own Food

Food production is a huge contributor to waste and global warming. Growing your own food is a great way to not only feed your family while saving money but also reduce your carbon footprint.

In order to grow your own food, you’ll need to be sensitive to which foods grow best in which seasons, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll find harvesting from your own garden is satisfying and easy.

About Jennifer Miree Cope

Jennifer Miree Cope is a renowned landscape designer with a degree in Electrical Engineering from Vanderbilt University. She is known for her landscaping passion and talent, as well as her superb organization and thoroughness. When not designing, Jennifer is often found volunteering for charity, walking her dog, or hiking.

.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

57629
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37138
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958855
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

191576
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments