Friday, January 15, 2010

Naturescaping-Good for the Environment, Good for the Pocketbook


Gardening season is here in many parts of the country, and fast approaching in others. While I think gardening is good for the environment, traditional gardening can be made even better.
Gardens that need a lot of maintenence usually are full of plants that are not native to the area. That means they need additional water and nutrients to thrive.

A lot of non-native, or exoctic plants need chemical filled pesticides that can harm other valuable vegetation simply because they cannot tolerate the insects that live in their new environment.

Gasoline powered lawn and garden tools also endanger the environment.

Naturescaping with native plants can reduce time and money spent in garden maintenance.

Native plants have evolved to adapt to climate conditions. The root systems of native plants have developed over the centuries to find and trap moisture and nutrients from their surroundings, eliminating the need for fertilizers and additional water except in extreme climate conditions like drought. Money in the gardeners pocket and protection of the environment.

Plants also evolve to live with the insect population in the native area. In fact, many insects not only help in the pollination process, but aid in keeping the population of harmful diseases, and larvae of other insect pests. Harmful chemical pesticides that can also harm beneficial insects are not needed in Naturescaping. Another saving to the environment and budget.

Imagine a garden with no weeding or mowing. Now that's an energy saver.

Tips for energy saving, mechanical or human, are always welcome

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