I recently wrote a post about warm season edible gardening, which, a lot of you loved. I was pleased to receive an email from Jennifer Dawson who asked if she could write an article for my readers on making your garden more eco-friendly for my readers.
I read her article and found the information she provided to be very useful. As you know, I live in So.Ca. desert and I am always looking for ways to sustain an environmental and economically friendly garden. I especially value the information on having natural pools as a sustainable alternative to chlorine pools.
I hope you enjoy Jennifer’s article as much as I do.
Many assume having a garden is in itself green and environmentally friendly, but in constructing it and maintaining it there are many ways we can be harming the environment from the use of electricity, over use of water, to the use of chemicals. However, there are ways in which we can really maximize the eco-friendliness of our yards and gardens.
Sustainable gardening is all the rage these days. The growing awareness of just how crucial sustainability is for preserving all life on the planet is driving its popularity, the Permaculture Research Institute explains. Indeed, creating an eco-friendly garden will conserve water, reduce waste, and cause minimal harm to nature and its inhabitants — as well as save you time and money. Making your own compost, installing a natural pool, and reusing materials you already have are just some of the many ways you can improve your garden and transform it into a more vibrant, biologically diverse, and eco-friendly place to be.
Make your own compost
Why make your own compost? It enriches the soil with nutrients, reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, reduces weeds, and enhances the soil’s ability to absorb air and water. To create a compost bin, place concrete blocks in a partially sunny area in your garden near a water source. Collect compostable ingredients — fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, tea leaves, weeds, shredded paper, leaves, stalks, flowers, and grass — and place them in the compost bin. Don’t ever include meat, dairy, or oils as they’ll attract unwanted visitors. Turn the compost regularly with a pitchfork to evenly spread air and water around. Once the compost matures in roughly six to nine months and turns dark brown and crumbly, you’ll be free to use it on your garden soil and in planting pots.
Get a natural pool
Backyard swimming pools are huge energy-burners. In fact, homes with pools use 49% more energy than homes without pools — and that amounts to an extra $500 spent per year! Natural pools are a sustainable alternative which save you money in the long term. Whereas traditional pools rely on chlorine, other harmful chemicals, and energy-intensive pumps to clean the water, natural pools use water-purifying plants, bio-filtration, and skimming systems. It will cost a little more to initially install your natural pool, but your yearly maintenance costs will be significantly lower as a result.
Reuse what you already have
You can also reuse things you already own in order to reduce the amount of waste your garden produces. Plastic, in particular, can be creatively reused in many ways around your garden. Plastic bottles can function as slimline makeshift watering cans — simply poke a few holes in the lids. You can also use plastic bottles as seedling protectors: cut the tops of the bottles and place them where needed in your garden. Moreover, you can even get a water butt to collect rainwater and therefore limit the amount of fresh water you use when caring for your plants.
A final easy way to make your garden more eco-friendly is by cutting your lawn less often. Let it grow out slightly before mowing — lawns with taller grass prevent weeds and strengthen drought tolerance. You could also use a mulching mower which returns grass clippings back to the soil, thereby fertilizing your lawn the natural way.
Weren’t those some wonderful ideas. Living here in the So. Ca. desert, and owning a pool, I immediately clicked on the Natural pools are a sustainable alternative . My pool happens to be a chlorine pool, and though I love to swim and spend hours in the pool, I dislike the feeling of chlorine on my body, and all the chemicals drying out my hair. Any alternative to harsh chemicals is a blessing.
If your looking for the most fabulous kids outerwear….you have to check out this new online store I found! They have the cutest outwear for your kids in so many different styles. Check them out…they are soooo cute. I purchased the ballerina for my granddaughter, great quality.
Thank you for looking and hope your day is filled with awesomeness.
kelleysdiy 
Great ideas for the backyard! I just wanted to comment and let you know I thought you might be interested in participating in The Great Ladybug Challenge, so I included you in my challenge post. If you’re not interested or able to participate that’s okay too! 😊 Have a wonderful day!
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What an adorable idea! When is it due?
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I thought so too! There’s no time limit for making them.
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That’s what I love!
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Yes! Makes things much easier.
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☺️❤️️
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I love these posts! So much information. The pool part blew me away, 49% more energy! All such great ideas!💜
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Thank you so much Kim! I am so glad you liked them. Amazing stuff huh! Most new pools here are the salt water, moving away from the chlorine, which makes me happy. Chlorine does such a number on my skin and hair…yuck!
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I had a massage therapist that was concerned about me spending every day in chlorine for warm water therapy class. He wanted me to find a salt water pool! (I couldn’t back in 1998, plus I loved my teacher in my current classes.)
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Thankfully, more chlorine pools are being switched over to salt. Salt water is so much better for your body.
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Natural pool? Wouldn’t it be better to do without a pool?
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One word NO! Not in the desert?? A pool is the best way to enjoy, exercise, and refresh yourself in 115 -126 degree summer weather Tony. I have a vacuum continuously cleaning the pool when the pumps on. So that really saves on a poolman. It gets so hot Tony, the pool is so much fun in the summer!
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One more word ‘relocation’! Gads! I love the desert, but one thing that keeps me from going there is the weather. There was a creek flowing through my home garden, and several at work. When it gets ‘warm’ (by our standards), I remember than I need to pull aquatic weeds from the riparian areas.
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Oh Tony, your just making me jealous!
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Well, just remember that I totally miss your region, and would love to return, even in summer (which was when I went to Palm Springs thirty years ago). The desert is so fascinating. All those happy native Washingtonia filiferas can’t be wrong about it.
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They all came during the season…hahaa. It is so beautiful here, it truly is.
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Washingtonia filifera happens to be my all time favorite species of palm, but it does not do very well here. It really likes a warm climate and arid air in summer.
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We have lots of Palms out here…lots of varieties.
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Yes, but Washingtonia filifera is the only native, and is happier there than most places in California. It always looks so tired here.
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I love it when the sun is shining an a little breeze on the palms….the fans look so shimmery!! Beautiful!!! ❤️️❤️️
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The idea of a natural pool is new to me and really interesting. Not that I would get a pool anytime soon, but it’s good to know there are options!
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The benefits of the salt water are too good too not use the salt over the chlorine. I live in the desert, we need a pool to dip in. After conming out of a chlorine pool you notice your hair and skin are so dry. Plus it fades out your hair. Yuck. Then you rinse yourself to get all the chlorine off your body. A salt water pool is so relaxing and doesn’t harm your skin or hair.
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Natural pool is something I have learnt here today. I wasn’t aware of and I don’t know if the UK are into this as your country, but it is certainly a good idea.
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I purchased this home 4 months ago…it has a salt water pool system. I am so happy with it. No more chlorine on my body drying out my skin. My hair is so much better. It originally was a chlorine pool, but switched over to salt.
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Chlorine doesn’t do me any good. I used to get pimples on my forehead every time.
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It’s terrible for your skin! I lived in the desert so many years and always have a pool. Chlorine…yuck. Sold that house and the next one I put in a saltwater pool. It’s not that expensive to switch over. It’s so much better for your hair, nails, skin, hair…especially if you have eczema and sensitive skin. I hope you have a wonderful evening.
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☺️
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Thank you for the tricks on your backyard! 😊
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Thank you!
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You are welcome 😊
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