Energy Efficient Ways to Run Your Garden
Though you might think that your garden space is ‘green’ by definition, whether it’s a grassy yard or a well-kept garden. Do you realise, though, that it might not be as ‘green’ as every gardener hopes? If your power costs never seem to go down, especially during the summer, your prized garden might be one of the problems keeping you from discovering the practical changes that your garden needs. Gardening takes a lot of time and effort to keep up with. You’re probably watering your plants more frequently in the summer to keep them from drying out. Even if your intentions are excellent for your garden, the majority of individuals water their plants inefficiently. Read on to discover how you can implement energy-efficient practices in your garden to avoid this, and other potential issues.
1. Responsible Watering Practices
Plants, like people, require water to survive, and even the most drought-resistant plants require it. In their gardens, though, most people waste water. If anything, this is most likely where many people waste energy at home without realising it. Use a watering can instead of a hose to regulate the quantity of water you use in your yard. If you must use a hose, make sure the flow is controlled using a trigger.
Watering your plants more frequently to keep them hydrated is only natural throughout the heat. Watering late in the afternoon or early in the morning, on the other hand, will help you get the most out of your water. This allows your plants and soil to absorb the water rather than evaporating it.
2. Lights and heaters
Off-grid energy sources offer their own set of advantages and disadvantages. However, the advantages of renewable energy sources significantly exceed the disadvantages. That is why the globe is experiencing several advancements in order to better utilise these technologies. Outdoor solar garden lights may be used in your house and garden since they are a clean and sustainable source of electricity. Solar lights utilised in the garden space are, on a long-term basis, far superior than regular lights simply because they lessen your reliance on conventional grid electricity. Solar lights, whether for beauty or practicality, will always have something to offer. Solar stake lights may be used to illuminate the route leading to your garden. A string light version of these, which come in a variety of colours, may be hung around trees and shrubs to provide extra aesthetic appeal to your valuable area.
3. Mowing and equipment
When it comes to lawn mowers and other gardening equipment, they may make the difference between an energy-efficient garden and one that isn’t. Use an electric mower instead of a gas-powered mower as much as feasible, particularly if you have a tiny grass space.
Some may argue that you continue to use power, which adds to your utility costs, and this is correct. However, when you consider how much fuel costs, it’s a no-brainer which is the better option. Furthermore, electric-powered mowers do not emit carbon monoxide into the atmosphere, making them a more environmentally friendly alternative. Power tools are fantastic pieces of equipment, especially for big projects or jobs for taming your garden’s overall aesthetic look, but their ease of use can lead us to grab for them without considering whether they’re essential – or even acceptable – for the job. Granted, no one in their right mind would mow a half-acre lawn with a push mower or trim 30 yards of the hedge with secateurs, but it’s worth considering if a little task requires a 1000-watt motor or a 200cc engine.
4. Pesticides, soil amendment and weed control
Mulching is the process of covering the soil in your garden with loose covers or materials such as chipped bark, newspaper, shredded leaves, or straw. This aids in water-saving by retaining moisture in the soil and keeping it cold. Mulching also suppresses weeds, protects plant roots, prevents frost heave in the winter, and improves the appearance of flowerbeds.
Embedded energy is one area where the gardener may make a significant difference, particularly in terms of compost and water, two of the most basic gardening requirements. From the cleaning and sanitising procedures to the time it gets in your garden, both commercially marketed compost and mains water demand a surprisingly high input of energy. Gardeners have been collecting rainwater and producing compost for generations. Only the emphasis has shifted, and continuing that practice in your own backyard may be just as useful in reducing your carbon footprint as it has always been in conserving vital resources, although they do say there’s nothing like tradition.
