CREATING AN ECO-FRIENDLY GARDEN AND LANDSCAPE
There have been many gardening trends from trying to eliminate all bugs in the garden to full blown organic gardening. Eco-friendly gardening is a sensible approach of encouraging sustainable gardening practices that encourages healthy plant growth with minimal insecticides and less chemical fertilizers.
Eco-friendly gardening strives to:
1. Eliminate wasting water
Not all plants need the same amount of water. Turf grasses that we use for our lawns take far more water than most trees and shrubs. Chemicals we use such as weed killers, insecticides and cleansers that are not used properly wash into our watersheds. How much pollution do you think an area the size of the DMV uses that ends up in storm water overflow and eventually into our watersheds and then our drinking water? Remember Montgomery county ordinances bans the use of most synthetic pesticides, including “weed & feed” and pre-emergent products, used for lawn care. Only organic pesticides and herbicides can be used in the County. Violations could result in a fine.
2. Propping up failing plants with chemicals
All plants have needs required to thrive. Some plants need more sun than others and some need more shade. Some need more iron and others more phosphate. Plants planted where they will perform well need less or don’t need chemicals to thrive. If you are constantly having to treat a plant to get it to grow, it may be planted in the wrong place.
3. Our county offers lawn waste recycling on a regular basis
Please don’t dump lawn waste or anything else on our common land. We see many people using paper lawn waste bags to dispose of their lawn waste. A more economical and ecofriendly way to is to purchase a reusable trash can for lawn waste and let the county compost it. They will last for many years, save you money and reduce resources used to make the paper bags. The county will pick-up yard waste each week on your trash day.