Hydroponics 101: Good for the Environment?
There are many reasons to garden. Health benefits, daily dose of Vitamin E from sunlight, ability to save some money by growing vegetables and fruits- these are all great reasons to start gardening. However, what about the environmental benefits? It's true that there are many harsh chemical pesticides available on the market today, and these can lead to a toxic situation for your plants and soil. But with some research and eco-minded purchases, you can grow a garden that is organic, and does not do damage to the ecosystem.
A simple garden can be created as long as you have a bit of land with some dirt on it, sunlight, and the appropriate plants for your climate. However, this can attract unwanted attention, especially from pests. Instead of reaching for the traditional synthetic pesticides, try a natural approach. Most synthetic products will kill off all the bugs in the garden, even the beneficial ones. However, you can use pesticides that are specific to the pest you are trying to control. Using the pests' natural predators is also a great method of pest control.
To conserve water, try composting from leaves. You can spread this around your plants as a fertilizer, and as way to keep water locked in the soil longer. Mulch stays moist, and is especially great for hot, dry areas. It's also a way to provide extra nutrients for your plants.
If you decide to garden indoors in a grow tent, you can use all organic products to grow your edible greens. This will make sure that there are no toxic residues in your food or in the environment. Reusing water and nutrients through an ebb and flow type of system saves money and resources. A hydroponics garden does not have runoff, so you won't have to worry about polluted streams or wells. Indoor gardens are a great way to go grow your own vegetables and fruits while doing minimal (if any) damage to the environment.
Growing indoors also means you have greater control over the garden. Less pests mean less need for pesticide, reusing water means no waste, and growing your own food means less greenhouse gas emissions from foods trucked over from farms in other states.
Gardening is a great way to spend your time in a productive and healthy way. It's also a great way to be environmentally friendly, and to become aware of how our actions affect the earth that we live in.
A simple garden can be created as long as you have a bit of land with some dirt on it, sunlight, and the appropriate plants for your climate. However, this can attract unwanted attention, especially from pests. Instead of reaching for the traditional synthetic pesticides, try a natural approach. Most synthetic products will kill off all the bugs in the garden, even the beneficial ones. However, you can use pesticides that are specific to the pest you are trying to control. Using the pests' natural predators is also a great method of pest control.
To conserve water, try composting from leaves. You can spread this around your plants as a fertilizer, and as way to keep water locked in the soil longer. Mulch stays moist, and is especially great for hot, dry areas. It's also a way to provide extra nutrients for your plants.
If you decide to garden indoors in a grow tent, you can use all organic products to grow your edible greens. This will make sure that there are no toxic residues in your food or in the environment. Reusing water and nutrients through an ebb and flow type of system saves money and resources. A hydroponics garden does not have runoff, so you won't have to worry about polluted streams or wells. Indoor gardens are a great way to go grow your own vegetables and fruits while doing minimal (if any) damage to the environment.
Growing indoors also means you have greater control over the garden. Less pests mean less need for pesticide, reusing water means no waste, and growing your own food means less greenhouse gas emissions from foods trucked over from farms in other states.
Gardening is a great way to spend your time in a productive and healthy way. It's also a great way to be environmentally friendly, and to become aware of how our actions affect the earth that we live in.
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