Less Grass, More Food: Save money and the environment with a garden!
I must sound a bit like an infomercial at this point …
“Yes, you too can save money with this amazing product! Don’t just save money, save the environment! But you must call now!”
Really, though, it’s all true (except the “call now” part). The more yard area you devote to growing your own fruits and veggies, the more money you will save and the less of an impact you will make on the environment.
Saving Green. It’s no secret that prices in the grocery have continued to skyrocket the past few years. Fresh fruits and vegetables are the hardest hit because they are affected by weather conditions, water shortages, fuel prices and infestations when processed foods aren’t. So why not grow your own? It doesn’t take much room to grow most of what you need to feed your family. Leafy greens, radishes, carrots, and even potatoes can all be grown in small spaces. Even vining or bushing-type plants, like cucumbers and green beans, and fruits, like strawberries and blueberries, can be grown in containers. With a little bit of planning, everyone can have a garden.
Growing Green. How does this help the environment? Less grass means less time spent mowing. That translates into less gasoline or electricity being used by your mower. You also avoid some of the fossil fuels used to ship foods to your local grocery store. Plus, growing your own can make you really appreciate the taste difference in foods that are picked at the peak of ripeness which may make you more prone to shop at farmer’s markets. This will further cut down on your carbon footprint by supporting local farmers whose products usually travel less than 150 miles to get to market.
And nevermind the pesticides and herbicides. You’ll have more control over your small garden and won’t have to resort to chemicals to control bugs and weeds. All the better for the environment and your health!
Living Green. Having a garden may also encourage you to make more changes in your life that are environmentally friendly. You may need to purchase soil to start your beds, but you’ll quickly realize that composting your table scraps and dead weeds is a great, cheap, carbon-free way to maintain that soil. Then, you may add a rain barrel to collect water from your roof to water your plants, relying less on city pumped water and helping conserve. You may decide to buy some pre-started plants which are always best when purchased from local suppliers because you know they’ll do well in your climate. And maybe you’ll even start your own seedlings, using recycled materials, or save some of those seeds from heirloom varieties you choose to grow! One little garden could lead to several lifestyle changes that make a big impact.
So, how do you do it? Here are a few tips from Scott Belan, program information coordinator for climate change at the Nature Conservancy.
1. Make a plan. A good vegetable garden usually starts in the cold of winter, on a piece of graph paper or a design program. This will help you put things in the right place the first time around.
2. Start small. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, so start with one or two beds, perhaps herbs and lettuce. Grow your garden by adding a couple of new beds every year.
3. Check out your farmers’ market. If you have a farmers’ market near you, spring is a great time to pick up bedding plants, herbs and that most valuable commodity of all: advice from people who know what they are doing!
So, grow, Grow, GROW! It’s good for you, it’s good for your wallet, and it’s good for the environment.
