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Simple Solutions: Food And Garden
Up to 30 per cent of the material we send to landfill is organic and could be composted at home. Composting returns nutrients to the land, holds moisture in gardens and on lawns, contributes to watershed health by controlling run-off and naturally fertilizes and provides structure to the soil.
Fast and Free
- Separate your food waste from your regular garbage and recycling. Designate a small household container for your scraps then dump the contents into your backyard composter or green bin daily.
- Choose one day each week to eat only vegetarian meals. If you are already doing that, add more days where your household goes meat-free.
- Cultivate a water-smart yard by watering early in the morning and only when necessary.
- Pack meals in reusable containers and bottles rather than using plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- Rethink where your downspouts empty around your yard and position them to water something.
- Save water by wetting your lawn only two to three centimeters each week, preferably in the morning.
- Leave grass clippings on the lawn—they decompose and return nutrients to the soil.
- Minimize pesticide use.
- Use only the required amount of fertilizer.
- Put leaves in a compost heap instead of burning them or throwing them away.
- Use leaves and grass clippings as mulch on flowerbeds or in the garden. This will keep down weeds and retain moisture.
Simple and Low Cost
- Use recycled wood chips as mulch to keep weeds down, retain moisture and prevent erosion.
- Maintain your lawn equipment for optimum fuel-efficiency and less pollutants.
- Choose a push mower. Running an old gas lawn mower for an hour can create as much pollution as driving your car 500 kilometres.
- Use organic fertilizer whenever possible. Protect your health by using safer alternatives to manufactured pesticides.
- Save money by putting your swimming pool pumps on a timer or run them only a few hours a day. For greater efficiency, remember to keep the filter clean.
- Buy only what you can consume in perishable foods. This will reduce the risk of your household having to waste food.
- Choose drip irrigation or a soaker hose and install the system on your lawn or in your garden.
- Place a rain barrel under your eavestrough downspout to catch rain water. Use the contents on your yard and indoor plants.
Spend to Save
- Buy produce that is locally grown such as from farmer’s markets and produce stands. This is easier when you adjust your diet to buy more of what’s available in season.
- Buy or make a rain barrel out of recycled materials.
- You can protect the environment and save money by switching from gas-powered to electric-powered tools.
- Solar lanterns are a great way to add light and ambience to your walkway without having to dig in electrical lines.
