An evening stroll in the garden and came back with an itchy skin? Your pet accidentally chewed on some leaves and felt uneasy? Maintaining the health, look of your garden is digging a hole in your pocket?
If any of the above scenarios read familiar to you, then it’s
time to transform your society garden into a sustainable garden. As pretentious
as it may sound, it is just about going back to our roots. Today, our
well-manicured gardens boast of exotic plants – names we don’t even know. Our
lawns reflect the care and resources we spend in maintaining them. Our flower
beds are laced with chemicals that force them to stay alive – momentarily. And
the list goes on.
Is there an alternative to this? Well, yes. The answer lies
in making better informed choices to benefit the member community and the
environment by making our gardens:
1. People-Friendly: Since society gardens are used by
everyone, especially the vulnerable – children, senior citizens, pets, one must
be conscious of the plants being used in such spaces. A few plants are known to
be highly toxic for the above groups such as Dieffenbachia, Lantana, Morning
Glory, Croton, etc. Instead using native plants can create a safer space for
all.
2.Environment-Friendly: What is the purpose of a garden
without its residents? The sight of butterflies and the melody of birds makes a
garden pleasurable. By using chemical-free, organic fertilizers, pesticides or
any other plant care materials, every small space can do its bit in protecting
biodiversity. At the same time, using such natural products enhances soil
health, longevity of plants and reduces its carbon footprint.
3.Pocket-Friendly: Can we create a garden which is aesthetic
and low on maintenance at the same time? Yes, of course. Replacing exotic
plants with native / indigenous and hardy varieties can not only increase your
garden’s lifespan but also reduce maintenance costs to a considerable extent.
Native plants are well-adapted for our local climate. This means, they remore
resistant to pests – hence, reducing the use of pesticides. They contribute
more towards soil nutrition – hence, reducing the use of fertilizers. They’re
hardy in nature – hence, they tend to survive better in harsher weather
conditions – hence, reducing the replantation efforts.
To sum up, the choices that we make in our gardens make them
sustainable. Choices that put self-sustenance at the centre of garden design.
Choices that create a balance between contemporary aesthetics and traditional
wisdom.
By Dipti Agarwal. Founder and Chief Gardening Officer,
Peepal
Resident of Kemps Corne. Mobile: +91 7400068705.
Email: dipti.agarwal@peepal.one
Website: https://peepal.one
Instagram: peepalindia
About the Author
