Six Ways to Go Green in Your Toronto Garden

People have been practicing organic gardening for years, but now it's being rediscovered by a new generation of gardeners. By simply changing the way you garden, you will not only save money, but also help save the planet. Here are a few things you can do this summer to maintain your eco-conscious garden: Build your soil with organic matterYour garden plants require a continuous source of nutrition. It's impossible to build up organic matter permanently in the soil because it continually decomposes and disappears, so soil building is an ongoing process. Decaying plant wastes, such as grass clippings, leaves and kitchen food scraps are the building blocks of a good compost. It makes sense to set aside a small corner of your garden to serve as a compost heap. A compost bin acts as backyard fertilizer factory by turning kitchen scraps into eco-friendly food for your garden soil. You save on expensive fertilizers and you help the environment by keeping your garden and kitchen waste where it should be – in your soil. Combat weeds with earth-friendly solutionsKeep weeds at bay and help the environment by laying landscape fabric which works as a durable barrier without the use of chemicals. It also lets air, water and nutrients into the soil and retains moisture, so you can water less often. Mulch is another solution to help discourage weeds. A thick layer of mulch will keep light out, preventing weed seeds from germinating, and will also protect the soil, leaving weed seeds to land on the mulch rather than penetrate the soil. Control pests with plants and wildlife Regularly rotating the location of your vegetables can help prevent disease and pests from lingering in the soil, waiting to attack next season's crops. Space plants evenly to promote circulation and mix some pest-repelling flowers, such as marigolds, among your vegetables. This will make it harder for pests to find their plant of choice, and naturally deter them with their scent and colour. Invite wildlife into your backyard to keep pests away. A birdbath will attract birds that will feast on insects, keeping them from attacking your plants, while a pond can lure toads and lizards into your yard, where they too will feed on pests. Eco-friendly pest-controls are another option, but if you have a vegetable garden, make sure these products are safe to use on edibles. Grow your own veggies Growing your own vegetables is both fun and rewarding. All you really need to get started is some decent soil and a few plants. You should be able to grow enough veggies for a family of four on about 2m² or 3m². Vegetables are marginally more complicated than herbs in that you might actually have to harvest the vegetables every now and again but the thrill and satisfaction of eating produce that you grew yourself is immeasurable. Start easy, with a lemon tree, some cherry tomatoes and maybe a few runner beans, and you’ll be a vegetable gardener in no time. Only water when your plants really need it There really is no reason to set timers to water your plants regularly, rain or shine.  Water your plants only when needed. Water early in the day so you can avoid evaporation and winds. The best place to water plants is directly on thirsty roots. Spot watering the soil around your plants with a watering can or hose can also help conserve water.