(Photo Source: gardenersworld.com)
Most of us aren’t even aware of how much plastic we use in our gardens!
Healthy, happy greenery often hides tones of plastics, yet only just recently, significant companies started offering eco-friendly and biodegradable options. A beautiful garden is your connection to nature, so getting rid of plastic is a necessity. Here are some ideas on how to have an appropriately green garden and help the environment.
Every plant from a plantation comes in a disposable plastic pot, has plastic plant tags, or comes in plastic seed trays. Each pot plastic pot will take up to 500 years to disintegrate completely, and though it’s alarming, it’s not too late to reconsider your options. First, instead of using plastic plant labels in the garden, try wood plant markers instead. You can also have a small DIY project and make the labels yourself. Wood will last longer, and it’s biodegradable.
Find small pots for seed starting or container gardening that will break down after you finish using them. You can make these from newspapers or natural materials. Eco-friendly containers made from bamboo or wood pieces will also last a few years before breaking down in the soil—add those to your compost heap when you’re done using them.
Skip the plastic pots entirely and start planting seeds. Most seeds come in paper packages that can be recycled or thrown into your compost pile. If you are saving seeds from your garden, keep them in sealed glass jars.
Most types of soil, mulch, and fertilizer come in plastic bags that end up in the garbage. By buying in bulk or looking for varieties that come in paper bags, you can reduce the amount of plastic going in the ground, and even save some money.
Plastic watering cans are cheaper; no one denies that, but they’re more likely to crack and break over time while metal watering cans will last. It’s an investment that will benefit both you and the planet.
