Tips for Gardening Green

Living an environmentally conscious lifestyle doesn't have to be hard—you can start by making some simple changes to your gardening routine. Here are some easy-to-implement tips to get you thinking green...

• Use a rain barrel or other method of collecting water for watering your plants.
• Try a "green roof." Instead of putting a traditional roof on your house or garden shed, try planting sustainable plants and ground covers. For more information, click here.
• Consider planting native or local plants, trees and shrubs.
• Plant flowers that attract butterflies, birds and other wildlife to your garden.
• Allow part of your backyard to grow wild and see what flowers will appear.
• Use natural products in place of commercial herbicides and pesticides.
• Start a compost pile with kitchen scraps, vegetables and other non-treated yard waste.
• Use shredded leaves, evergreen needles and wood chips as mulch.
• Plant a vegetable garden to feed your family this year. You'll know exactly what chemicals were used on your food.
• Use recycled materials. Buy recycled lawn furniture, reuse yogurt cups, and other materials for planting.
• Use hand tools whenever possible. It's better for your health...and the environment!