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Going Green: How Does Your Green Garden Grow?

victoria-campbe
Explorer B
World Planting Day is October 22, and while many green holidays encourage reactive green habits like recycling or reusing materials, World Planting Day encourages proactive green habits, such as planting a vegetable garden or a tree in your own yard.  Growing your own flowers, fruits, and vegetables is a rewarding and fun way to be green and give back to the environment. Here are some tips to get in on the green:
  1. Join a community garden.  Community gardens are a great way to grow your own garden, especially if you have a small yard.  As some of you may know, we have a SWA Community Garden at Southwest Headquarters.  This is a great opportunity to not only learn more about the process that goes behind growing plants, but also to get to know others!  If you’re interested in participating in our community garden or starting your own, contact Jaime Ibarra, our community garden founder.
  2. Plant native plants.  Plants that are native to your environment are more beneficial and survive better than non-native species.  Take the time to discover what plants grow in your area.  Visit plantnative.org for a basic list of plants that grow in your area, or check local nurseries for more information.
  3. Avoid using chemicals.  Chemicals that control weeds or pests are often harmful to the environment and can cause long-term damage.  Instead of using these harsh chemicals, focus on using natural alternatives that won’t pollute water sources or soil.
  4. Be aware of your watering schedule.  Always water after the sun goes down to decrease evaporation and make sure you don’t overwater your garden.  Wasting water never helps the environment and can easily be avoided with a schedule.  Some cities have watering restrictions, so be sure to know what watering guidelines your city has set.
  5. Start composting your leftovers.  Compost bins are a great way to recycle leftovers and reuse them in your garden.  You’ll save money and make the world a little greener by not tossing biodegradable items into landfills.
These are just a few easy activities that would make great habits to live green.  How do you garden greenly?  Let us know by commenting below.