Gardening Ideas

It's about that time of year when the weather's getting warm and new flowers are springing up everywhere! Yes, it's time to grab your gloves and shovel and get down and dirty! Even if you don't have a big yard (or a yard at all-I know what it feels like) there's always a way to make your space greener! There are infinite ways to do this, so if you have something to add PLEASE post it in the comments! 

#1: Container Gardens

Container gardens are an awesome way to add some green to your life, and using very little space. As I said, I know not everyone has a big yard area, but that doesn't mean you can't have any fun gardening! Container gardens are just what they sound like: plants grown in containers. This can be done indoors, on a balcony or patio, or as an addition to a normal garden. This looks really good because it uses some different levels between the plants in the ground and the ones higher up in pots. Hanging pots are also an option. They can add some color to your balcony, or the front of your house. Also, if you want to be even greener, try making your own pots out of recycled materials! These can be plastic bottles, tin cans, juice boxes, milk jugs, and pretty much any other kind of container.

#2 Edible Gardens

Edible gardens are a super fun way to eat healthy and get outside! They can range from herbs on your kitchen windowsill to a whole garden full of fresh fruits and veggies! They're also environmentally friendly  because picking your food straight out of the garden will save a drive to the grocery store, and they're not using up any farmland. Also, there's nothing better than fresh produce that you've grown yourself!  And don't just think of tomato plants when I say edible garden. There are so many possibilities, such as herbs, fruits, nuts, and yes, vegetables too! Try to go a step farther by growing your own organic food, meaning you don't use any pesticides or fertilizers. This helps by not killing helpful insects, like bees, ladybugs, and butterflies. Also, fertilizers can cause chemical runoff, into the oceans and rivers, which causes several problems. 

#3 Air Gardens

Plants are very important to our air quality because they take in carbon dioxide and give off clean oxygen! Of course, any plant will improve air quality in your home or outside, but try a few plants specialized for this job, such as:

-Areca palm

-Mother in Law's tongue

-Money plant

-English ivy

-Peace lily

-Reed palm

Also, try improving your air by using scented plants, some of which are here:

-Hyacinth

-Gardenia

-String of beads

-Scented geranium

-Wax flower

#4 Pollinator Gardens

Don't forget to bee friendly! If it weren't for our fantastic pollinators, there would be no plants at all! Bed numbers have also been declining by a lot in the last few years, so they need all the help they can get. Try growing native wildflowers and other flowers with lots of nectar.  I have a flowering rhododendron in my yard, and the bees go crazy for it! Another idea is to grow "host plants", which butterflies can lay their eggs on. If you want to attract bees, butterflies, moths, and maybe even hummingbirds, remember not to use any pesticides while gardening. Pull off garden pests by hand, or just let them bee!