13 “Green” Gardening Habits That Are Hurting Your Yard

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If you’re trying to make your garden more environmentally friendly, you’re probably using some gardening practices that seem ‘green’ but are doing more harm than good. It’s great to aspire to sustainability, but even the most well intentioned of gardeners can be tripped up by habits that can actually cause harm to your yard.

You don’t have to throw in the towel just yet – small tweaks to your approach can make a big difference. Let’s take a look at the habits that might be quietly killing your garden.

Overuse of Organic Fertilizer

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Organic fertilizer is considered a safe and healthy way to feed your plants, but there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Over applying can create nutrient imbalances, which can hurt your soil and your plants in the long run. Nitrogen, for example, can cause too rapid of a growth but weak plants that are easier for disease to get in on. For best results, use fertilizers sparingly and according to soil tests.

Watering at the Wrong Time

a person watering plants with a watering can
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Everyone knows that plants need water, but there’s a right and a wrong time to water. Watering during the hottest part of the day causes rapid evaporation, so your plants aren’t getting the water they need. Watering early in the morning is the best, because then the water has time to get to the roots without too much being lost to the heat.

Relying Too Much on Mulch

Brown Soil in Orange Plastic Bucket
Photo Credit: Greta Hoffman/Pexels

While mulch is great for holding moisture and keeping weeds away, it can also suffocate your plants if you have too much of it. Avoid over mulching, because this can starve the roots of oxygen, stunt growth and cause rot. Mulch layers should be kept to a few inches and not piled against plant stems.

Using Invasive Plant Species

Crop unrecognizable gardener in gloves and jeans planting green plants into fertile soil while working in garden on summer day
Photo Credit: Greta Hoffman/Pexels

While planting hardy, fast growing plants may seem like a sustainable choice, some of those species can take over your garden and spread into local ecosystems. Bamboo and some types of ivy may be low maintenance plants, but they can become invasive and choke out other plants. Choose native species that support local biodiversity instead.

Ignoring Soil Health

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Trying to build a house on a weak foundation is what it would be like to focus only on the plants and ignore the soil. A thriving garden can only occur in healthy soil, which means if you aren’t enriching it with organic matter or rotating your crops it could become depleted. Add compost and other organic material, and don’t use harmful chemicals that kill off beneficial organisms.

Composting Without Balance

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Composting is a great way to recycle organic waste, but you can’t just toss everything in the compost bin and expect it to turn out okay. If you have too much carbon or nitrogen in your compost pile, it won’t decompose properly, and you could end up with a batch of compost that doesn’t do much for your garden. The right mix, to strike the balance, for a good compost contains both green (vegetable scraps) and brown (leaves) items.

Overwatering Your Plants

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More water does not mean better growth, and it’s easy to drown your plants and encourage the growth of harmful fungi by overwatering. Most plants like to dry out a bit between watering, so check the soil before adding more moisture. Frequent shallow watering is often not as good as deep, less frequent watering as it leads to shallow roots.

Liberally Using Pesticides

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Natural pesticides are a lifesaver when you have an infestation, but they should be used sparingly. Even organic pesticides will kill beneficial insects such as bees or ladybug that aid your garden to grow, as this . Instead, try to use pest control only as a last resort and look for natural deterrents such as companion planting or introducing predator species.

Planting Too Densely

Green Plants of Rhubarb on Field
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When you’re ready to grow your own vegetables or flowers, it’s tempting to cram as many plants into your garden as possible. However, overcrowded plants can be difficult to keep well ventilated, and diseases can spread through your plants rapidly. Let your plants breath, grow and reach their full potential.

Skipping Crop Rotation

Allowing Pests to Thrive
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Planting the same crops in the same spot each year will deplete your soil of certain nutrients and pests will know exactly where to find their favorite food. Rotating crop helps prevent pests, as well as maintains soil health. It’s one of those simple changes that can make a big difference in the long term productivity of your garden.

Not Attracting Pollinators

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Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and others are important to a healthy garden, but they won’t visit if you don’t give them a reason to. Use no harsh chemicals that would drive them away, and plant lots of flowers throughout the growing season. And your garden will reward you with a better yield and more vibrant blooms.

Clearing Away All Leaves

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It is easy to be tempted to rake up every fallen leaf to keep things looking tidy, but leaving some behind can actually help your garden. As they decompose, fallen leaves make for natural mulch, provide habitat for good insects and enrich the soil. When you rake, instead of raking everything up, think about letting a few leaves where they fall and adding to a healthier ecosystem.

Planting Without Regard to Sunlight Needs

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Not all plants will grow in the same conditions, so planting sun loving plants in the shade or shade loving plants in full sun often results in weak, struggling plants. Make sure to make it a point to learn the particular light requirements of each plant and put them in the right place. A little planning can make for a garden that grows naturally.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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