Why Is Sustainable Gardening Important?

All around the world, people are either “going green” or trying to make their lives more sustainable. It’s all to help the deteriorating environment. The earth has gone through a lot in the past century. People are generally unconscious about what their actions are doing to the planet. 

Human activity is primarily to blame for the number of greenhouse gases in the air and the pollution in water, land, and atmosphere. Now, upcoming generations are the ones that have to be smarter with their activities and take action to get the earth back to health. One way to do so is through sustainable gardening.

What Does It Mean to Be Sustainable?

There are so many differing viewpoints when it comes to sustainability. However, those who practice sustainability in their lives all agree that being sustainable means that they can meet their own needs without compromising future generations’ needs. Sustainability encompasses natural resources, economics and societal needs. While it heavily relates to environmentalism these days, that’s not the end of it. 

You can be sustainable in pretty much every aspect of your life, from the items you purchase to how you get rid of waste. One great way to be more sustainable, though, is through sustainable gardening. 

Sustainable Gardening

Sustainable gardening puts into practice many eco-friendly methods. If you already garden, you may be using harmful items to the earth, or you might even be overusing water. However, with sustainable gardening, you can limit your damage to the planet. 

Every gardener needs a few things to grow plants, like soil, water, seeds and sunshine. When you use these resources smartly, you can benefit the earth rather than contribute to climate change. 

This concept of sustainable gardening isn’t anything new. When the world was once full of family farms, many families grew their food in ways that sustained nature and the surrounding environment. Chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers weren’t available, so farmers relied on natural resources and made sure not to deplete them.

Many people in this past year have turned to some form of gardening, whether it be a few raised garden beds in their back yard or even a couple of potted vegetables inside. Due to the pandemic, people had time to try a new skill, so gardening has become extremely popular. 

You may find yourself asking, “why is sustainable gardening important?” Read on to find out.

Importance of Sustainable Gardening

Sustainable gardening offers many benefits for the gardener. Chosen plants should not need excessive amounts of fertilizer or pesticides, which reduces the cost and work of gardening. The local climate often fulfills plants’ water needs.

Sustainable gardening also benefits the surrounding environment. In a natural environment, there are no outside elements like herbicides or pesticides that alter vegetation. Trees and plants naturally die, and they even contribute to new plant growth. Nutrients are naturally recycled to enrich the soil enough to support new plant growth. The natural environment is what gardeners should model after and strive for in their gardens.

The primary goal of sustainable gardening is to recycle nutrients and provide maximum health to vegetation to both meet the needs of the gardener and future generations. Below are just a few of the reasons why sustainable gardening is important.

It Reduces Weed Spread

When you plant a sustainable garden, you’ll often plant native species. Using local plants in your garden or even in your landscaping prevents invasive species or nonnative weeds from spreading into natural areas. This keeps the weed population in check and reduces the need for chemical pesticides and herbicides.

It Limits Carbon Emissions

Traditional gardening practices often utilize fertilizers that deplete the soil’s ability to lock up carbon emissions. However, sustainable gardening promotes the use of compost and mulch, which keep the soil rich and packed with nutrients that can help sequester carbon dioxide. 

It Prevents Water Pollution

In addition to the above, it’s important to garden sustainably to prevent water pollution. Water is one of the most valuable and precious resources, and many traditional gardeners fail to realize its importance. When you garden sustainably, you’re not using additives that can get into the water supply. Plus, you’ll be able to conserve this precious resource by using sustainable methods.

It Benefits Endangered Species 

Sustainable gardening directly influences biodiversity. In order to have a productive garden, you need biodiversity. A sustainable garden can act as a refuge for endangered species because you aren’t using materials that harm them. 

Sustainable Gardening for Future Generations

Gardening has become a popular pastime. It allows people to get in tune with nature and their surrounding environment. To ensure future generations have this same opportunity, gardeners need to use sustainable methods. Sustainability ensures that the future economy, society and environment will be able to support those who live in it. 

When every gardener pitches in to save the environment by gardening sustainably, the earth and its people will significantly benefit.