by Alden Smith
As awareness grows about the impact man has on his planet, many people wonder what can be done. We sometimes feel we are doing our share, but are we really? It is inevitable that man will move toward sustainable gardening. Simply growing alfalfa sprouts in a baggie or planting a small container garden in usable space puts us in touch with the growing cycles of planet Earth in ways no other activity can. This article will discuss sustainable gardening - what sustainable gardening is, how to do it and the favorable effects it has on our planet.
What is Sustainable Gardening?
Sustainable gardening can be of any size -- from a small patio container garden to an acre or two. Many cities in our nation provide people with the land and ability to grow gardens, producing vegetables locally that both feed the citizenry and produce stock to sell at local farmer markets. The premise of sustainable gardening is to build a healthy plant base with a good soil ecosystem. It is a system that does not need chemicals or pesticides of any kind. It is self sustaining, and uses biological and organic methods to build healthy soil and insect resistant plants. Any needed raw materials are taken from local plant and mineral resources, such as compost.
What are the Advantages?
A properly built and well maintained garden can provide the family with a substantial amount of food. Studies show that a home garden provides 3 to 4 more times produce per acre than an acre of commercial land. The average home garden produces over $600.00 of food annually. The carbon footprint remains low because there are little if no transportation needs. Foods grown in a home garden can be kept chemical free, with no danger of pesticides or chemicals entering the food chain.
Let's Build a Garden!
The basic plan for a sustainable garden is simple and easy to start. One great thing about sustainable gardening is the fact that even the poorest soil can be utilized. Through the use of compost and raised beds, even sandy or clay-type ground can become useful.
Let's look at a sample garden:
-Always choose a location away from shade. Ensure that the ground is level, and that a water source is nearby.
-Prepare the soil by removing any rocks, rubbish and vegetation. Till the soil to a depth of at least 8 inches.
-Build level, ridged soil beds from available planking. These boxes should be open bottomed and at least 18" wide. Be sure to leave an aisle of about 3' between boxes. Fill with a mixture of premium top soil and compost, mixing well.
-Be sure to check PH balance of the soil. Assure balanced nutrition by adding natural nutrients, such as bone meal. A pre-plant mix can be added one time at the rate of one ounce per running foot.
-Plant seedlings after all threat of frost have disappeared. Space according to their mature size.
-Immediately after planting, give the seedlings a boost with 34-0-0 nitrogen rich fertilizer. Water thoroughly after planting and fertilization.
-Be tough on weeds. Never allow them to get even an inch tall. Be tenacious in your quest to kill them off.
-When the sprouted seedling emerges, apply a growing mix. Continue this process weekly until three weeks before maturity.
-Water regularly. Apply water down the center of the bed - a soaker hose works great. Any sign of wilting means a plant is already dying.
-Harvest at maturity. Never leave crops in the garden after the peak of maturity, because they lose their nutritional value and will attract bugs and disease.
Sustainable Gardens are Earth Friendly
Whenever we build and maintain a sustainable garden, we are learning how nature develops a disease free and healthy plant. We can avoid the use of pesticides and herbicides. A 1987 study under the auspices of the National Cancer Institute showed that children living in an environment where outdoor pesticides were used were 6 to 9 times more likely to develop childhood leukemia. In addition, there is always a threat to pets and children whenever these chemical are stored in the home environment. There is no threat to the environment from runoff of a sustainable garden because pesticides are not used.
There is beauty in sustainable gardening. You:
-Are brought closer to nature
-Have the thrill of seeing the fruits of your own labor
-Produce healthy and money-saving vegetables
-Enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done.
In the process, you are being kind to the earth. Sustainable gardening can be done virtually anywhere. Try sustainable garden next growing season. You will be glad you did.
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