Grow your own at home
Food gardensGrowing your own food helps lower your carbon footprint by slashing the amount of fuel you require to obtain food. Plus, what's better than a meal made with food you grew yourself?
And at the end of harvest season, if you have too much, give it to your friends, families, and neighbours and you'll make a difference in their days. |
Flower gardensFlower gardens are not only visually appealing but can also be easy to maintain - depending on what is planted. The important thing to remember with flower gardens is that you should try to plant species native to your area to prevent the spread of invasive species.
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Pollinator gardensMy favourite type of garden because they make such a large positive impact on the environment. Pollinator gardens help to feed the local pollinators in the area, especially important as our honeybee populations are declining rapidly. By growing plants that attract pollinators, you're helping farmers, other gardeners, and yourself. It's a win-win situation.
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For city dwellers with little space
Pallet gardensPallet gardens are a great upcycled piece that allows you to grow vertically on apartment balconies. They look great and give you more freedom (and space) for a variety of plants.
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Hydroponic gardensThis way of growing takes up little space and also saves time. Click the link below to learn more and check out this IKEA-style hydroponic design.
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No matter which garden you choose, be cautious of the world around you. Avoid watering your gardens in the middle of the day to avoid wasting water - this is especially important during times of drought. Aim to water your plants early in the morning or once it has cooled down at night. Looking to do more? Look for drought-resistant plants! How about saving rainwater in barrels? It's an easy way to stretch out the water from a rainfall. This method does have limitations, however, and requires some maintenance for safety purposes.
If you want to go the extra mile, give composting a thought. Although here in Toronto we have green bins, not everyone can use them (especially apartment dwellers). Surprising, even those living in small apartments or condos can compost without the smell!
And, for those of you who can't keep plants alive, why not try a zen garden?
If you want to go the extra mile, give composting a thought. Although here in Toronto we have green bins, not everyone can use them (especially apartment dwellers). Surprising, even those living in small apartments or condos can compost without the smell!
And, for those of you who can't keep plants alive, why not try a zen garden?