Last Spring, Mountain Roots put on our party outfits and opened our property to the public and hosted a Sustainable Garden Party. Guests toured the rock gardens full of Tulips, Daffodils, Poppies and other early blooming perennials on a sustainable maintenance plan.
The handcrafted, custom designed greenhouse was stocked full of beautiful locally grown, high altitude hardy hanging baskets, and examples of low resource perennials for our zone.
The original raised beds built from recycled lumber for the new CSA style Lady Garden Club were freshly planted with cold loving, short season crops perfect for our environment. Visitors enjoyed light snacks and wine including the most delicious Rhubarb Crisp created from our own harvest.
Sustainable gardening practices have been an ongoing passion and model for my business Mountain Roots. It can often feel overwhelming when thinking about our continual effects on the environment and habits we create. I strongly encourage you to consider a few key practices on a smaller, local level to create change in your daily routines to benefit the future.
Sustainable Garden Maintenance Plans
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- Grow the proper plants for your environment.
- Shop at local nurseries.
- Establish plants properly to encourage the use of fewer resources after 2-3 seasons.
- Perennials, Trees, and Shrubs should be watered deeply, less often, encouraging roots to grow deep and dry out in-between. It is just a matter of time before water restrictions are in place everywhere. I suggest 3-4 soaks the first season, and decreasing the number of soaks (not the amount of soaking time) every season after. I water my perennial rock garden deeply 2x/ week after 3 seasons.
- Amend your garden with locally made compost (once every 1-2 seasons) and slow release organic fertilizers (1x/month during growing season).
- Mix Perennials into your containers. They require less water, provide contrasting textures, and can be transplanted into the ground in fall.
Get Creative with Containers
- Before you shop for new containers or garden decorations, get creative with what you already own.
- Shop at thrift stores, garage sales, and local rummage sales for antiques- they are trending at a cost at many garden centers.
- When growing food crops please consider the cleanliness and past use of your container before planting with edibles.
Make it Over
- When looking for a new piece for your yard or garden consider buying used first. Large items like furniture are a huge burden on landfills.
- Fresh paint, cushions, and throw pillows can bring new life into an old piece.
Grow Food!
- Growing your own food is the most important system that we can participate in at a local level regarding the future.
- Know what grows in your environment! In Summit County short, cold loving crops like greens and root vegetables thrive!
- Consider joining a Community Garden, buying a local CSA share, or creating a shared style garden with friends!
- Start small, and remember to supplement, not depend on your garden for your family.
It is hard to ignore the changing weather patterns and extremes our planet is facing due to various human related causes. It is unfortunate that treating Earth respectively has become so political. The United States is incredibly stubborn when compared to other countries involved in the reality of Climate Change. I will continue to commit to being concise of my Ecological Footprint, and my contribution to future generations at a smaller, local level.
