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Going Green? Try These Ten Steps to a Better Garden and Backyard

Going green is the newest trend worldwide with many people taking steps to reduce their environmental footprint and try to create sustainable practices as opposed to the wasteful living many of us are guilty of now. One of the best places to start is in the garden and backyard. Traditionally, these are areas where a lot of harsh chemicals are used to kill weeds and ensure a healthy lawn, but at what cost? There are plenty of ways to have a beautiful garden and enviable backyard décor while also doing our part for the environment.

1. Use Natural Sunlight

One way to begin is to use the very source of light nature provides us. Purchasing solar powered lights allows us to save energy, using them to store light by day for use at night. Depending on the theme of the backyard décor, they can be purchased to resemble rocks or other natural objects, or purchased on strings and used in artistic ways to provide a warm glow around patios, gazeboes or other areas. And of course, adding a motion sensor means they only activate when you need them.

2. A Good Reason to Cook Outdoors

The best reason to cook outdoors during the summer is that it saves energy. Everyone knows how a hot kitchen means turning up the AC, but by firing up the barbecue, you not only save energy indoors, but you can enjoy an occasional outdoor evening meal with the family. Add to that a tastefully (and Green!) furnished outdoor dining area and dinner can become a special experience.

3. Natural Décor is Better

The more natural your patio, backyard, and garden decorations look, the more appealing to the eye they will be. Don’t use metal chairs that can rust, for example. Natural woods like cedar look beautiful and age well. And since they are naturally durable, you can avoid using dangerous paints, sealants, and other chemicals. Just remember to use wood that has been harvested in an environmentally conscious fashion and don’t forget also that rocks can be used to great effect in the backyard or garden to accent other décor.

4. Use Local Flora for Your Garden and Backyard

Another sustainable way to take care of your garden and backyard is to use local flora instead of paying extra for trees and plants from other areas. This is because, since they are acclimated to the temperature and rainfall, they will require much less watering and maintenance, and they will provide shelter for birds and other local wildlife. And attracting birds and butterflies will enhance your garden’s beauty. Speaking of beauty, don’t overlook the artful placement of rocks to highlight areas of your backyard.

5. Minimize Your Lawn

The American obsession with having the perfect lawn is slowly fading away as the price for such extravagance becomes clear. Many native plants were considered weeds and dangerous chemicals were used to get rid of them. But that is changing gradually. You can do your part by allowing native plants to grow alongside the grass, filling out your lawn and still keeping it green and beautiful. A mixed lawn will require less maintenance and can still be mowed and trimmed as desired.

6. Adding Water as a Soothing Touch

What garden or backyard design would be complete without water added into it? A soothing fountain can become a beautiful place to gather one’s thoughts and relax, and by making sure it is solar powered, it too will be a green and environmentally friendly addition. Another possibility is a fish pond. They are inexpensive to install and can quickly become the favored place for outdoor gatherings as well as quiet contemplation.

7. Use Wood Grown Responsibly

One such variety of wood is red cedar, which can be used in a variety of ways, from patio deck work to furniture, both indoors as well as in the garden and backyard. It easily resists rot and decay, and any wood that is raised on a tree farm on in a similar fashion reduces environmental waste and contributes to a sustainable and renewable environment.

8. Looking at the Long Term

Always consider the long term lifespan of the products you purchase. If poorly made and low quality, it will wear out before you know it and end up contributing to more trash in a landfill. Even recyclable goods require an investment in energy and materials to be effective, so the best alternative is to purchase products that are of good long lasting quality. Ideally, you would want to be able to give items away when you’re finished with them, and they may even increase in value. Also, when making room to redecorate, don’t throw things away. Instead organize a sale or donate them.

9. Avoid Dating Your Décor

Another thing to keep in mind is to be careful when shopping for larger items or deciding on the overall design of your backyard and garden décor. The last thing you want is to choose items that in a few years will make your furnishings look like something out of an old movie. When shopping for items like porch umbrellas, picnic tables, etc. choose the ones that are classic in design and unlikely to lose their appeal. Wooden porch swings, for example, never go out of style and enhance the enjoyment of any outdoor design. Keeping these ideas in mind will give you a timeless and enjoyable environment that can be enjoyed for generations.

10. And Don’t Forget the Five R’s For the Green Enthusiast

Reduce, reuse, recycle, repair, and redecorate. These are the words to live by if you are truly interested in changing to a greener lifestyle. So much of our culture is geared towards being disposable that we forget that so many things we have can be repaired and reused. Sometimes all that is needed is a simple repair or a new cushion to make something as good as new. Always keep an eye out for furnishings that are recyclable or easily repaired or refinished so that you can keep it for as long as possible. And don’t forget, when redecorating, sell or give away the old; don’t simply toss it in the trash.

The switch to a greener lifestyle is a step towards helping to heal the environment one step at a time. The changes aren’t difficult at all, since all it takes is a little more awareness when you shop and an eye for the long term impact of your purchases. And by teaching out children these lessons, we can insure that these practices will continue on in future generations.

About the Author
Jay Chua, an outdoorsman and nature enthusiast, lives in Vancouver, Canada with his wife Deisy. Jay enjoyed relaxing on his hatteras rope hammock when not tending to the organic fruit trees at his yard. He also likes sharing what he knows about using green practices to decorate the garden and backyard. His website PorchSwingSets.com provides a wide array of options that keep green and durability in mind such as the pawleys hammock stand.

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As many experts will attest, giving your mood its much-needed jolt is being linked with getting in touch with nature.

A messy house, an eyesore for a lawn, and stressful surroundings can contribute highly to the worst cases of sadness and depression. Proper arrangement and order of things at home can be of great help. And taking your gardening to the next level, as your standard suits you, will elevate your mood even better.

Whether you possess the green thumb or are just plainly appreciative of nature, studies show that giving way to the natural caretaker in you and touching base with the environment, no matter how simply, will open up the positive side of things.

The functional, recreational and aesthetic uses of a garden may help you decide on starting that masterpiece. To some people, gardening simply means cooperating with the bounty of nature. Cultivating a plant will not hurt. By spending an otherwise tedious day, you help the environment by rearing plants. This way, you create a healthy place in your home while instilling the importance of nature in your kids; that they can improve the world they live in.

How does family dinners in the garden, children happily playing in the backyard, relaxing and reading in the garden’s hammock, basking under the sun on a warm day, or getting shelter from the heat and oppressive rays of the sun sound to you? Truly, maintaining a garden at home will create diversity and creativity in your unwinding and your family’s bonding activities.

Garden maintenance can also be a way to grow fruits, grains, vegetables and fresh herbs for the family’s meals. Fresh flowers from the garden can be brought inside your home for added indoor beauty. Fresh picks are always the best! For those who have ample knowledge on alternative or herbal medicine, the plants in your garden may afford first aid help. Aren’t these more convenient and lighter on the pocket than shopping for food, running to the pharmacy or hopping to flower shops?

Simple or elaborate, gardening can stir your creativity and imagination to suit your available resources and reflect your personality. Try incorporating a terrace, a deck or patio in the backyard. Consider putting some paths for ease when your family and friends take a closer look at the plants. Check if you can do something about the area’s lighting to flaunt the garden’s beauty when it is night time or when the day is not sunshiny. Raised beds, outdoor art and sculpture, think Pergolas and Gazebos; these can create that sophisticated look in your garden. Garden experts say the possibilities to a picturesque garden are endless!

Besides savings and convenience, treating gardening like a well-planned project and putting that plan into practice may give you that better outlook on yourself, psychologists say.

Just as a gardening guru put it, gardens themselves are “an oasis of beauty in the deserts of urban decay.” By the same token, maintaining a garden will offer you an astounding transformation not only in that backyard, but more importantly, on a personal level.

James Brown writes about http://www.flowergardennursery.com

Article Source: http://www.organicgardenarticles.com

Today’s consumer is educated and more and more people want to know about how their food is treated and where it comes from. Words such as “organic” and “sustainable” that were once reserved for a small population of foodies or environmentalists are now making their way into everyday vocabulary.

As a result, farmers are reacting to this new shift in food culture and are learning about alternative growing and treatment methods. For three generations, The Orr Family Farm has been owned and operated by George S. Orr & Sons, Inc. Today, this 1,000-acre farm is managed by Mike and Mark Orr. And, two years ago, Katy Orr-Trenary returned to manage the farm’s market.

“Our family has a responsibility to the future stewards of our land, and to future customers,” she explained. “That’s why we are implementing new farming methods; we are flexible and open to change.”

Educating the Consumer

According to Katy, many people believe that there are only two types of farming: conventional and organic. However, a continuum lies between the two – integrated pest management (IPM) – an effective and environmentally-sensitive approach to pest management.

IPM is based on a combination of common-sense practices. Its programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest-control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment.

The Orr Family Farm has practiced IPM for years, however, new pest management strategies have recently become available that are safer for the environment, worker/applicator, and the consumer (less pesticides and lower toxicity pesticides used on food). However, most of these new tools are more specific in activity (affect one or two pests, rather than multiple pests); require more critical timing (pest-stage specific); command a greater knowledge base; and are more expensive.

Additionally, the proper use of these new tools requires more monitoring by the grower, but it can also result in reduced pesticide use and cost; and improvements in fruit quality because management strategies are implemented at the optimum time, based on monitoring information.

So, how are these new strategies to be implemented? Dr. Henry Hogmire and Dr. Alan Biggs, Extension Specialists from the West Virginia University Tree Fruit Research Farm in Kearneysville, WV shared information with the Orr Family Farm about the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) which is providing the funding to help enhance IPM practices.

The incentive payment provided by NRCS makes it possible for growers to implement these strategies and to maintain the economic viability and sustainability of the orchard business. And, the consumer benefits from having food with lower levels and less toxic pesticide residues.

At the conclusion of each season, Dr. Hogmire will sign off that the components of the IPM plan have been completed, and the grower will receive payment from NRCS.

How Does IPM Work?

Phil Bolyard, who manages the IPM program, explains that the program is divided into three different levels. Level one is reduced-risk pesticides; level two is reduced-risk pesticides and mating disruption; and level three is reduced-risk pesticides, mating disruption, and advanced monitoring and management.

“We have 21 acres at level one and 732.6 acres at level three,” Bolyard said. “And, only apples and peaches are allowed in the program.” Dr. Hogmire explains that the reason only apples and peaches are allowed is because that is their area of expertise.

“Since we developed the program, these were the initial crops included,” he said. “The commercial tree fruit industry in West Virginia is concentrated in the Eastern Panhandle, with growers serviced by programs developed and delivered from the West Virginia University Kearneysville Tree Fruit Research and Education Center. An effort is underway to expand the program to include other crops, such as soybeans.”

At the end of the season, samples are taken from the crop of each block to determine if the IPM program was successful or not. According to Dr. Hogmire, the measure of success will be the grower’s ability to maintain or improve fruit quality and/or yield profitability while implementing the components of their IPM plan. A summary analysis will be used to refine the program to make improvements for the following year.