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Our beautiful planet is severely endangered. Overpopulation, deforestation, overgrazing, agricultural methods which rely too heavily on pesticides and artificial fertilisers, ever larger cities and noxious substances from heavy industry – the barrage on the earth seems relentless and endless. The results are now evident in unpredictable weather patterns, global warming, pollution, soil degradation, water shortages, spreading deserts and an ever-growing list of endangered and extinct plant and animal species.
Gardeners are in a unique position to not only help preserve existing natural ecosystems, but to create new, healthy environments for a wide range of plant and animal life. Some of the devastating effects of urban creep – the tendency of cities to sprawl ever outwards and consume the surrounding countryside – can even be reversed.
By adopting eco-friendly methods of gardening, a great deal can be done to nurture the environment and to provide habitats for wild creatures. The following measures will set you on the path to being an eco-conscious ‘green’ gardener, and a friend, rather than a foe, of planet Earth.
Care for your soil
The key to a healthy, disease-free, eco-friendly garden lies in nourishing the soil with organic matter in the form of compost or decomposed manure. Compost and manure not only supply a balanced base of nutrients for plants, but also provide food for essential bacteria and insects that live in the soil. These micro-organisms convert decaying matter into nutrients that are easily absorbed by plants, and help to aerate the soil.
Soil that is rich in organic matter acts as a sponge, soaking up excess water and releasing it slowly when the weather is drier, thereby cutting down on your need to water. The presence of earthworms is a good indicator that your soil is in a healthy condition.
Slopes cleared of vegetation create problems with soil erosion if not planted. Even a slight slope is perfect for arctotis, dierama, felicia, gazania, nemesia, mesembryanthemum, watsonia and many Cape daisies. Mediterranean plants, such as cistus, lavender and rosemary would also be suitable.
Plant for biodiversity
For your garden to reach an ecologically balanced state, provide as wide a range of natural habitats as possible. Creating different types of natural environment – woodland, wild grassland, water garden – will not only make for an interesting garden, but also increase the diversity of animal life in your garden. In city areas your garden will become a small but vital sanctuary for the wildlife under pressure from urban expansion.
Get rid of problem plants
Unfortunately, gardening has sometimes had destructive results. In many parts of the world, including our own unique and diverse Cape floral kingdom, the natural ecosystem has been invaded by alien plants which have been imported either as agricultural plants or as garden specimens. Get to know those plants that have been declared alien invaders in your region and refrain from planting them. And, if you have them growing in your garden, get rid of them. Visit www.agis.agric.za/wip for more information on invasive alien plants in SA.
Go indigenous
Because ecosystems are so sensitive, well integrated and interdependent, a change in the vegetation of an area can affect not only the plant species, but also all the animal and insect species that have adapted to live amongst that vegetation. By retaining as much natural vegetation as possible on your property, you will not only help conserve the local flora, but will be preserving the natural ecosystem of the area.
Water smart plants
If you do wish to plant exotic plants, choose low water usage ones. It is best to plant those that originate in countries with hot climates similar to our climate. These plants do not require a lot of watering, and are known as water wise or water smart plants. They include plants from the summer rainfall semi-arid south-west states of the USA, plants from countries with a hot Mediterranean climate and from low rainfall areas of Australia. Typically these plants have leaves that are leathery, hairy or succulent. The leaves are often small, or silver-grey in colour. Such plants include artemisia, cistus, echeveria, gaura, lavender, and rosemary.
Plant a tree
Plant water smart trees to provide shade in very hot areas. This will conserve water. If trees or overgrown shrubs cause shadows that make house interiors dark, prune back the branches to let in more light.
Save energy by planting deciduous trees to shade your house, instead of using fans or air conditioners. Plant one or more on the north side of the house, taking into account their ultimate size and spread. In summer the shade will keep the house cool, whilst in winter, when the leaves drop off, light and warmth from the sun will enter the house.
Keep the soil mulched
In all natural environments, there is a layer of decomposing plant and animal matter littering the ground. Mulching mimics this natural occurrence and not only provides food and a home to all sorts of small animal and insect life, but also provides nutrients and an insulating layer for plant roots. Mulch shelters plant roots from frost and scorching sun, and helps retain moisture in the soil. As South Africa is a semi-arid country, all means of conserving water should be taken seriously.
All inorganic matter can be used as a mulch. This includes bark chips, pine needles, nut shells, peach pips and half-rotted compost. If you can, don’t remove fallen leaves from beds as they serve the same purpose as a mulch.
Reduce lawn areas
A good-looking lawn that is green throughout the year requires a lot of watering. To conserve water, reduce the area of your lawn. As well as reducing watering bills, a smaller lawn – or even no lawn – will reduce the amount of time spent on garden maintenance.
Instead of lawn, plant water smart low-growing ground covers. Where grass does not grow well, put down paving or gravel. Leave gaps filled with pebbles or gravel between the paving stones so that rainwater can permeate the soil. Before spreading gravel or laying paving, level the area and lay down a weed-suppressing but rain-permeable membrane to keep weeds from growing.
In new gardens, consider planting a low water usage lawn such as buffalo or kweek. Let it go naturally dormant in winter, and save on watering.
Conserve water
Avoid excessive watering. Only water if the soil is dry underneath the top layer. Gardeners often make the mistake of watering when they see the ground surface looking dry, but if the soil is damp underneath the surface, watering is unnecessary. Water the soil and root area of plants, rather than their leaves.
Harvest water by collecting rainwater run-off from the roof in water tanks, and using this water to irrigate the garden. If you install an automatic irrigation system, consider a drip irrigation system, or get the type that has a moisture meter to control the amount of water irrigated and set it to its lowest setting, rather than the type that is controlled with a clock timer.
Recycle
Recycling, including composting, diverts organic waste from landfills, reducing methane emissions from landfill sites. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas 21 times more powerful than carbon dioxide.
So, as far as possible, reduce the waste that comes out of your home and garden. All organic products (vegetable peelings, grass cuttings, paper, etc) can be turned into compost to feed your garden soil. Why not set up a ‘worm farm’ to produce highly nutritious fertiliser out of raw organic matter?
Worms for your garden
The following companies supply worm farms and earthworms:
* Earthworm Buddies, Johannesburg, 083-791-1198.
* Full Cycle, Cape Town, 021-789-2922.
* Mother Earthworms, Rheenendal, Southern Cape, tel: 044-388-4835.
* Wiggler Magic Worms, Cape Town, 082-887-4717.
* Wizzard Worms, Greytown, 033-413-1837.
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