Washing Your Car More Sustainably

With hose in hand and sponge in the bucket, you’re ready to get your car spick and span. But you may be washing toxic chemicals and too much water into your local waterway, adding to pollution and over-worked pumping stations. And you wouldn’t be alone. Nearly half of all Americans like to wash their cars at home. While this may be a cheaper option, it isn’t less costly for the planet.

Cultivating green living choices in your life doesn’t have to be hard, and how you wash your car is just another way to reduce your overall impact without much hassle. But why is this important? Well, because with the over 27 million car wash sessions that take place in the US every year, we’re adding polluted runoff to our rivers, lakes, and streams. The soaps and other cleaning agents you choose can contain acids, dyes, and ammonia, all of which can harm wildlife and harm human health, too.

More than that, washing your car in your driveway could mean that you’re adding toxic vehicle fluids to our fresh water sources. As you spray and sponge, things like oil, rust, grease, and residues from brakes and exhaust all run down the street and into the storm drains where they are taken into our drinking water supplies.

Additionally, most people washing their cars at home do so with much more water than they require. Every car wash at home could waste 100 gallons of water or more, which will tax your bank account as well as the planet.

There are better ways to wash your beauty. First, look for cleaning products that are nontoxic and those that have been tested for biodegradability. You want to choose soaps that are dye- and fragrance-free, and those that will biodegrade in the environment in days, not months or years.

Next, put down the hose and go waterless! Instead of running the water repeatedly over your car, most of which will get wasted, try waterless car cleaning supplies, like cleaners that you apply with soft and highly effective microfiber cloths. This is not only more effective than trying to spray off the dirt, it can also help you see where you may be having problems with your car (you’ll see rust, scratches, and nicks much better this way).

We’ve got a great line of waterless cleaning supplies for every nook and cranny of your car, including Waterless Car Wash & Shine, Glass & Mirror Cleaner, and Tire & Dash Dressing, all of which contain biodegradable ingredients (they break down in 7 days) that are free of synthetic fragrances and toxic chemicals. These low-VOC, petroleum-free options will also save you money ($90-162 per Green Car Kit), time (it’ll take you about 30 minutes to clean your car), and will add a layer of oprotection to your vehicle’s interior and exterior. It’s an all-around solution that will help you protect the earth while making it easier and cheaper for you to keep your car looking its best.

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Lighten Up by Air-Drying your Laundry

There’s no better time than the summer to develop this green living habit: air-drying your laundry! The sunshine, warm breezes and fresh air make hanging your laundry to dry in the great outdoors a fun and refreshing experience.

Not surprisingly, running the dryer in your laundry will be costing you energy with every use. In fact, the average American home will run up a $135 electricity bill for operating the dryer every year. Think of the money you could save by choosing a less-polluting method of getting your clothes dry!

One of the reasons dryers use relatively high amount of energy is because the industry isn’t really doing much to improve their efficiency. ENERGY STAR, a program by the US Environmental Protection Agency to spur energy efficiency improvements in American products, will certify all types of home appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and refrigerators, but they do not certify dryers!

As a result, those who use their dryers exclusively for drying their laundry are contributing a relatively large amount of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere—over 2,000 pounds every year, on average.

Drying your laundry without your dryer is relatively simple. First, get yourself a sturdy drying rack. There are many models on the market today—from ceiling-hung options (to save space for indoors, and ideal for apartment-dwellers) to folding dryers that can be used indoor or outdoors to permanently-installed rotary dryers for outdoors only. Each one has advantages and disadvantages, so choose the model that’s right for your climate and your home.

Those living in dry climates will appreciate the added moisture that drying laundry indoors affords (this method is cheaper than running a humidifier!). But if you live in an already humid climate, you can speed the process of drying clothing indoors by putting your washing machine on the highest spin speed to squeeze as much water out of it as possible.

If you’re concerned about fading your laundry by hanging it in the sun, there’s an easy solution! Simply turn your clothing inside out to protect the exposed side of your fabrics from the fading effects of the sun.

Amazingly, if every US household chose to dry just one load of clothes without the dryer, we’d be able to save enough energy to close down 15 nuclear power plants! So get fresh and dry your clothes the lighter way—with only air.

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Add to your Outdoor Wardrobe with Eco-Friendly Clothing

Getting ready to hit the trails? Wanting to do some camping this summer? Outfit yourself with eco-friendly clothing that’s made from natural, renewable fibers that are less harmful to the planet. These textiles may also to help reduce odor and keep you cooler than conventional outdoor clothing options.

In the landscape of green living choices, opting out of conventionally-grown cotton is one important step to take. Although cotton is a natural fiber, growing cotton is far from green. Cotton is the most pesticide-intensive crop in the world. In fact, by weight a cotton T-shirt is 73 percent cotton and 27 percent chemicals and chemical residues! These pesticides flow into our waterways and wreak havoc on water ecosystems. They can create dead zones, which are areas in which nothing can grow, choking out all life. Growing cotton also requires heavy infusions of water—about 400 gallons per cotton T-shirt.

Synthetic fibers derived from petroleum byproducts (such as GORE-TEX, polyester, and lycra) are also unsustainable and non-renewable, given what they’re made from. They are also not biodegradable.

So, whether you’re in the market for a new T-shirt, looking for some hiking shorts, or in need of a good hat to protect you from the sun, there are greener alternatives. Here are some of the options available to outdoor enthusiasts:

• Bamboo is a relatively new kid on the textile block. A very large grass, bamboo can grow up to 30 inches in a single day, making it a “rapidly renewable” fiber and very sustainable. It doesn’t require pesticide support, doesn’t need to be irrigated, and is virtually infinitely renewable. Plus, it helps to shore soil against erosion, retains water, and creates habitat for other wildlife and plant species. It is also really soft and has an internal “bamboo kun” which helps to control odor-creating bacterial and lower moisture levels, making it a great fiber for active people.
  
  
• Hemp, used for decades by hippies and earth-conscious communities, is a great choice for many reasons. It produces more fiber per acre than cotton, requires little chemical support from pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides, and is natural like cotton. Hemp crops also help to boost the soil’s nutritional value and foster microbial life. It does, however, require a lot of water like cotton.
  
  
• Organic cotton should be chemical-free, although it doesn’t solve the water consumption issue. Just be sure your organic clothing is from a reputable company that reports on how their clothing was made.
  
  
• Soy, developed from the byproducts of the tofu, soybean oil, and soy milk industries (recycling!), soy fiber is another totally natural product. It has been called the vegetable cashmere because of its incredible softness, and it retains heat well and is easy to care for.
  
  
• Wool is completely renewable and a great choice if you’re going to colder regions. You will, however, want to look for organic wool to ensure that the animals were treated humanely (although this is not guaranteed).
  

Get geared up with this summer with sustainable clothing, and have a good time enjoying nature.

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Greener Cleaning for your Teeth

How your brush your teeth might not be the biggest way you have an impact on the planet, but it’s another in the long list of green living choices you can make every day. If we each live to the ripe old age of 80 years, we contribute on average 300 toothbrushes over our lifetimes. That’s a lot of wasted plastic! Annually, we Americans add 50 million pounds worth of toothbrushes to landfills, most of which is non-biodegradeable plastic that just sits there for hundreds of years.

Or, your old toothbrush may make a trip to the ocean where it can choke wildlife, end up floating in the middle of the sea, or wash up on the beach where it’s not only unsightly, it’s a hazard for land animals. No one wants their romantic walk along the beach to be marred by the discovery of someone’s old teeth cleaning products!

We as consumers need to speak with our shopping dollars to signal to companies producing these products that we want greener options that don’t litter the planet. There are, thankfully, some green products on the market today that make it easier for you to brush more greenly. Try the following:

• Recycled content: Some manufacturers have capitalized on the recycled plastic possibilities by producing entire toothbrushes that are made from recycled materials. Recycling rather than using virgin materials has three-fold benefits: it saves energy, saves water, and reduces the amount of waste going to the trash. Don’t worry, the bristles are usually made from new plastic. Radius and Recycline both carry recycled-content toothbrush options.
  
  
• Replaceable heads: Some toothbrushes can now be found with heads that you replace when they’re worn out. This way, you reuse the handle over and over again, reducing the overall non-recyclable waste that you create. Eco-DenT, Radius, and Fuchs Ekotec have all developed options along these lines.
  
  
• Biodegradable content: Another great option for greener teeth cleaning is to buy a toothbrush made from natural, biodegradable materials rather than plastic. A company called Acca Kappa makes a toothbrush from a cotton extract, which will apparently biodegrade in about six months!
  

And if you’re addicted to your electric toothbrush, you, too, can get a greener toothbrush by opting for one powered by the sun! Although still relatively untested these could reduce your energy consumption, and many come with replaceable heads, making them somewhat more eco-friendlier than conventional toothbrushes.

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Enjoying the Fizz without the Pop: Organic sodas

Stressing the importance of eating organic food goes well beyond potatoes and oranges. The health benefits and environmental upsides of organic food can also be found in things like fizzy sodas and tasty beverages.

Believe it or not, in 2004, realizing that the pesticide levels in their Coke and Pepsi products were so high in pesticides, Indian farmers who couldn’t afford conventional pesticides and herbicides started to spray their cotton and chilli crops with these soft drinks instead! That’s because the Indian Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) had released reports that Coca-Cola and Pepsi products contained unsafe levels of insecticides and pesticides, including lindane, DDT, chlorpyrifos, and malathion. The report detailed possible health problems associated with drinking these beverages, including nervous, immune, and reproductive system disorders, birth defects, and even cancer.

What followed was an uprising by consumers as they engaged in “smash-the-bottle” campaigns. Some states even banned the sale of these products either completely or partially throughout their regions. Although the two giant soft drink companies are fighting back, many people in India continue to choose other drinks.

While similar problems have not been documented in North America, the health problems associated with too much soda are well-documented. Sugary drinks like soda pop have been linked to obesity, diabetes, as well as gum and tooth disease, due in large part to the high concentration of high fructose corn syrup they commonly use. Additionally, soda contains a substance called sodium benzoate which can cause cell damage. Phosphates, which are also found in many sodas can contribute to higher rates of osteoporosis as well.

An occasional drink of conventional soda won’t kill you, but you can make better choices for your health by opting for organic and natural sodas. These alternatives will use things like cane sugar, fruit juices, and tantaric acid from grapes to replace other not-so-healthy ingredients. PepsiCo now produces Pepsi Raw (limited availability) and others are venturing into natural sodas (check labels for confirmation of claims!).

If your family can’t live without a fizzy drink now and then, consider making your own so that you can ensure you know what’s going into it. Soda-Club Fountain Jet makes a Home Soda Maker that is not only healthier for you, it will save you some money and cut your waste by 90 percent (you fill reusable bottles instead of disposable cans and bottles). Plus, you can make your own custom-designed sodas, which makes the process a whole lot of fun! Just be sure to pick up natural flavorings and sweeteners. Happy sipping!

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Infuse your Life with Organic, Fair Trade Tea

Coffee isn’t the only morning beverage that needs a green makeover. Many of the same social and environmental problems faced by java drinkers are also prevalent in the tea industry, making the choice of what tea you sip every day an important part of any green lifestyle. So add organic, fair trade tea to your organic food shopping list this year to make a difference for farmers and the planet, too.

Organic farming has many benefits, not only for the farmers, but also for the future generations of the communities dwelling there. Organic methods protect the soil and water against infiltration by cancer-causing pesticides and other chemicals so that many more generations can lead healthy lives. According to a National Cancer Institute report, farmers who use herbicides regularly were six times more likely to contract cancer than other people. Organic tea also ensures that soil erosion is prevented, water quality remains good, and biodiversity is preserved.

Biodynamic farming is another green method of getting delicious tea leaves without harm to the planet. The biodynamic method is a closed-loop one, requiring that no “outside” influences (like pesticides and herbicides) be used. Instead, these farmers make use of things like cover crops to improve soil health. They also employ homeopathic preparations (containing plants, animal manure extracts, minerals, and compost) to the soil, while following the natural rhythms of the cosmos to determine when to seed and when to harvest. In many ways, biodynamic is one step more serious about environmental-protection than USDA Certified Organic options. Demeter US is the certifying body for this type of gardening.

Like coffee drinkers, tea sippers are serious about flavor and the quality of their tea leaves. Here again, organic has the advantage since organic teas are said to have better flavor. The smell and taste of a delicious cup of organic green tea or mango berry tea is richer and deeper than conventional options.

Additionally, organic tea is often also fairly traded. The Fair Trade Federation, which helps to certify organic teas, ensures that farmers are given a fair wage (at least $1.26 per pound), that workplace safety laws are in place, and that families of farmers receive education and health care. It also helps to stimulate local economies so that they can develop self-sufficiency.

When shopping for your organic tea, look for a total of two labels: one for how the tea was grown, and one for how it was traded. Either the Demeter US label or the USDA Certified Organic will ensure your tea is grown in an earth-conscious fashion, and the Fair Trade logo will guarantee that farmers were treated fairly in the trade. Together, you’ll have a truly sustainable morning (or evening) fix.

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Genetically-Modified Foods may Increase Rates of Food Allergies in Humans

Genetically-modified (GM) food crops are a contentious issue for many. While some believe they will save humanity from pollution and disease associated with conventionally-grown foods, others question the wisdom of playing with the basic structure of our food, concerned that such meddling will have untold health consequences.

Although at this point, scientists are still unsure of the direct health repercussions of eating genetically modified organisms (GMOs), they are sure that GM foods can increase rates of allergic reactions. That’s because genes of common allergens are often combined with other plant food, potentially passing the allergen onto the newly created food. Allergic substances from the proteins found in eggs, fish and shellfish, peanuts, milk, wheat, and tree nuts—proteins that are the cause of more than 90 percent of food allergies—can be combined with new strains of corn, for instance, making this once innocuous food a potentially deadly food for those with allergies to these substances. The US Food and Drug Administration has attempted to address this issue by requiring that new GM organisms be free of any allergenic substances on the main allergen list.

Health issues aside, GM foods come with other consequences, most specifically for the environment. While some GMO produce will be able to better fend off specific pests and diseases, this tampering could threaten biodiversity. Of most concern is the possibility that the bioinsecticides may actually kill off beneficial insects. An insect resistant strain of corn called B.t. that was used first in 1999 is suspected of being lethal to monarch butterfly caterpillars.

Additionally, pests and weeds may become resistant to inbred bioinsecticides and biopesticides. This may inevitably increase the need for pesticides and herbicides instead of having the intended benefit of decreasing their use. Not only that, the genes of these modified food crops may spread, via wind and water, to non-GMO crops.

Whether we like it or not, the GMO-age is upon us. GM technology may be found in your corn, soybeans, papayas, zucchini, and tomatoes. The US is the biggest grower of GM crops with nearly 60 million hectares being cultivated with these seeds. You can avoid GM foods by choosing organic foods. If you’re not sure, the four-digit PLU Code on your produce will be preceded by a “9” if it is organic. If it is a GMO product, it will be preceded by an “8” instead.

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Choose Humane Meat with Organic

While the best thing you can do for the environment when it comes to your diet is to develop at least one meat-free day per week, you can also reduce your environmental footprint by increasing the quantity of organic food you eat, which also means choosing meat that has been raised organically. You’ll be ensuring that the animals raised for your meat are treated humanely, while also encouraging farming methods that lesson the damage done to the environment.

The meat industry effects the environment on so many levels—problems like soil and water pollution, climate change, deforestation, diseases, and more are all perpetuated by large-scale animal farms. Often called CAFOS for confined animal feeding operations, these factory farms are not only damaging to the environment, they are a den of cruelty for the animals.

Creatures who are raised for meat on large-scale farms are often confined in very tight spaces with little to no room to move around or lie down. They are deprived of fresh air and forbidden from doing what comes naturally to them—roaming in green pastures, taking care of their young, feeding in a free-range fashion, and resting when necessary. Instead, they lead lives of fear, pain, and misery. Those who consider eating a spiritual act (such as Hindus and Buddhists) also believe that when an animal lives and dies in fear, they pass along their negative emotions to those who eat them.

Conventionally-raised animals are also less healthy to eat. Through a process known as bioaccumulation, meat can contain 14 times more pesticides than plant-based foods. As animals eat plants filled with toxic chemicals like pesticides and herbicides, these chemicals get concentrated in their fatty tissue, making meat protein much less healthy than plant protein. In addition, according to the US Food and Drug Administration, every year there are at least 5,000 people with health problems attributable to the overuse of antibiotics in animal farming.

The US Department of Agriculture National Organic Program requires that organically-raised animals be hormone- and antibiotic-free, and that they receive only organic feed. This eliminates the problems associated with pesticide overdose, but doesn’t solve the issue of how the animals were treated. So if you care about animal cruelty, you’ll want to choose animal protein that comes from small-scale farms that allow their animals to roam freely and feed naturally.

You can often find this kind of meat at the farmer’s market or through a community supported agriculture (CSA) organization. Although “free range” and “natural” are unregulated terms, if you ask your farmer to see pictures of their animals and/or have them define for you how they were raised, you have a better chance of ensuring they were not ill-treated. Buying from vendors like these also ensures that you’re supporting your local economy.

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Indulge with Chocolate that’s Eco-friendly and Better for You

That slow melting of a luscious piece of chocolate after a long day of work is like getting away—treating yourself to a mini-indulgence that’s just for you. If you’re looking to augment your organic food diet, you’ll want to add this decadent treat to the list of ingredients you buy regularly from the organic counter. Organic chocolate is not only better for you, it can also come with environmental and social benefits, too.

The cocoa used to make chocolate is grown on the cacao tree, the growth of which requires the second largest infusion of chemical pesticides and herbicides in the world (the highest pesticide use crop is cotton, of course). These chemicals wreak havoc on the health of cocoa growers and chocolate eaters alike. Lindane is a common pesticides used in chocolate grown in West Africa where it increases the rates of cancer and hormone disruption of local farmers.

Your chocolate bar may also harm the societal health of the farmers who grow it. Poor farmers are often encouraged to chop down the old growth forests in their communities to make room for tree stands for growing chocolate. Losing these forests reduces the region’s biodiversity, water retention, climate regulation, flood protection, and more. Plus, the application of pesticides combined with monoculturing can deplete the soil of nutrients, leaving the local people with soil that won’t grow anything.

You would think this would be enough, but chocolate is also bought from these already-suffering farmers at unfair prices. They often receive only one penny for a chocolate bar that you would pay 60 cents for. Plus, in many cases farmers are forced to employ their children in order to keep costs down and make a decent living.

You can choose a better indulgence by looking for organic food chocolate that has also been fairly traded. Both the Fairtrade Labelling Organization International and the Rainforest Alliance ensure that their cocoa farmers are given a fair wage for their labor so look for their labels.

Rainforest Alliance also strongly encourages farmers to use organic farming methods to save money and protect their land. You can also look for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Certified Organic label to ensure it’s been grown without the use of chemical pesticides and herbicides. These farming methods will also protect ground water supplies and wildlife, and because it is often grown in the shade of the existing forest canopy, organic cacao protects the rainforest as well.

So next time you want to indulge, think about the farmers, the planet, and your own health—and choose organic and fair trade.

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Drink Your Way to Better Health? Organic Beer and Wine

Whether you’re getting married and looking for the best wine for your celebration or planning a quiet barbecue get-together with friends in your backyard and in need of a good beer, you may want to consider organic options for their health and environmental benefits. And like eating organic food, you may just find that imbibing these brews is tastier, too!

Like most conventionally-grown foods, the grapes for wine and the grains for beer are treated with loads of pesticides and herbicides to fend of insects and weeds. But these chemicals will also land up in your beverage. The hops, yeasts, and malted grains (wheat, corn, barley, and rice) used to make beer are all laced with agricultural chemicals. In a 2003 study by the US Food and Drug Administration, it was found that 17 percent of barley and 32 percent of wheat products sampled had pesticide residues (which have been linked to human health problems). The organic varieties, on the other hand, had less than 5 percent.

The production of wine tells a similar story. Grapes grown for the making of wine are treated with more chemicals than any other crop in California (the biggest grape-growing state in America). Biodynamic and organic wines, on the other hand, severely limit the use of these chemicals.

Although the US Environmental Protection Agency claims that the levels of pesticide residues in our food and drink are safe, there are those who believe more studies need to be done to determine the effects of combinations of so many chemicals on the human body.

Choosing organic beer and wine may be good for your health, but it is also no surprise that the earth will thank you, too. Chemicals used on conventional crops not only pollute our waterways, they can harm birds and kill other beneficial insects and plants in our landscapes.

So when shopping for beverages for your next event, big or little, check out organic options. If it is labeled 100% organic, that means it contains 100 percent organically-grown grains or grapes. An “Organic” label means that up to 5 percent of the ingredients can be conventionally grown, while 95 percent must be organic.

Biodynamic is another option, and although this label is not controlled by the USDA, it does signify a healthier, more sustainable product. Biodynamic farming is totally chemical-free like organic farming, but this approach is also closer to the land.

Responsible drinking isn’t just about avoiding driving drunk, it’s also about responsibility to your own body and to the planet. Plan your next party without the side of pesticides.

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Develop a Green Diet with Sustainable Seafood

It may be impossible to certify fish and seafood as “organic,” but that doesn’t mean it can’t be sustainable. Overfishing, fish farming, and other not-so-green ways of getting protein from the sea are contributing to declining healthfulness in both human bodies and marine ecosystems. So while you can’t put Certified Organic fish on your organic food to-do list, you can shop more sustainably when looking for food from the sea.

It is estimated that in the wild, a full 75 percent of all commercial fish stocks have been either fully exploited, overexploited, or depleted. This is due to several seriously destructive ways of getting fish from the sea. Of course, the first is overfishing, which is the process by which commercial fishing operations take more fish from the sea than the system can sustain. Over time, the population of reproducing adults declines to the point where the species can no longer replenish quickly enough. Eventually, commercial fishing operations shut down due to low populations with the potential of the species disappearing from the wild altogether.

Another major problem with conventional fishing is bottom trawling. Huge commercial fishing vessels drag massive nets behind their boats, which scrape the bottom of the ocean floors clean in an effort to get as much shrimp, flounder, rockfish, or cod as possible in one move. Unfortunately, along with these fish, the nets destroy coral reefs, which are the nurseries for all ocean life, and take with them bycatch.

Known in some places as “incidental catch,” bycatch is when the nets capture unwanted species such as turtles, dolphins, sharks, whales, and other marine mammals. These mammals can’t get away, and as a result, often drown. By the time they are brought up to the surface, they have died, and are simply discarded over the side of the boat.

We can help to stem the tide of these tragedies by choosing sustainably-caught fish and seafood. When shopping for your evening meal, look for line-caught fish. This means that the fish were caught selectively so that there is little to no bycatch.

There are a number of systems now available to help you make good fish choices. The Marine Stewardship Council Certification program ensures that fish is line-caught. The Environmental Defense Fund also has a Seafood and Sushi Selector To Go which helps you find sustainable seafood while at a restaurant or at the grocery store. Finally, the Seafood Choices Alliance has a Buying Seafood Guide which lists other certification systems.

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Save thousands and reduce your carbon footprint with solar pool heating

Have you ever calculated how much money you spend on heating and maintaining your pool every summer? If you haven’t, you really should. According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), the average homeowner spends upwards of $2,000 every year on pool heating and upkeep, making it one of the most expensive “appliances” in your home.

While we may not think of our pools when searching for ways to increase our green living habits, there are some big-impact things you can do to reduce the energy you consume to keep your pool warm and comfortable all summer long.

First, and most importantly, get a pool cover. While these may seem like a real pain, you’d be amazed at how effective they can be. Shockingly, even if you cover your pool for only half of the summer, you could cut your heating energy consumption by 50 percent! Any conventional pool cover will do the trick, but the best option around is a solar pool cover. These have pockets of air in them which insulate and pass the sun’s heat onto your pool water, further reducing heating costs.

Once you’ve got a cover, think about how you’re heating and pumping your pool water. A solar thermal water heater for your pool is probably one of the best solar investments around. In fact, the amount of money you save on heating your pool water in one year can almost pay for the solar water heating system—in one season! So the payback period on a solar water heater is very short.

A solar water heater comes with many parts, all of which absorb the sun’s energy as heat and pass it along to the water that’s circulated through the system. It usually includes tubing or piping made of dark rubber or copper, which is snaked through an insulated box and often covered with glass. You can install your solar water heater on your roof or anywhere on your property.

You can further reduce your pools operating expenses by choosing solar power to run your water pump. These little systems include a solar photovoltaic panel which collects solar energy and converts it to electricity, which is then used to run the pump.

Together, these three solar products for your pool—a solar pool cover, solar thermal water heater, and solar pool pump—could totally eliminate the regular energy costs for maintaining your pool, making your summer swim completely sustainable! Jump in, the water’s warm.

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Go Native in your Garden this Summer

Do you find yourself drawn to the bright colors, fragrant blooms, and interesting flower shapes as you walk down the aisles of your local greenhouse or garden center? We’ve all got different reasons for choosing the plants we do for our gardens. If you’re into green living, you’ll want to choose native, drought-resistant plants to help reduce your outdoor landscape’s impact on the environment. Doing so will save you money and make your job of maintaining your garden less time-consuming, too!

What are native plants? They are those species that grow wildly in your area and have done so for many decades or even centuries. Native plants require no irrigation, do not depend on anyone to get extra nutrients, fend off pests naturally, propagate without any help, and otherwise thrive without any outside human intervention. Native plants are also likely to be drought-tolerant, able to withstand the stress of occasional dry periods throughout the various seasons.

Unfortunately, though local nurseries carry an abundant supply of interesting and beautiful plant species, they don’t always stock the best native plants. And since the native species specific for your climate will be different from the ones best suited to my area, you have to do some research to find out what will work in your particular garden.

To determine what plants will work best for you, check out these resources:

• Old Farmer’s Almanac Frost Chart will tell you the length of your growing season and may help you find out what plants are ideal for your garden.

• Hardiness Zone Map by the Arbor Day Foundation will tell you your region’s overall rainfall, temperature patterns, and other important factors which influence what plants will grow in your area.

• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s Native Plant Database helps you search for species that thrive in your particular climate to find the ideal options for your landscape.

• Virtual Plant Tags helps you see what plants work in particular growing conditions.

Since native plant species thrive so well on their own, choosing these varieties will mean less work for you—lower watering requirements, fewer applications of soil amendments (like organic fertilizers and compost), less weeding (they can fend them off on their own), and virtually no need for insecticides. That means you’ll have more time to sit back and relax, knowing you’ve cultivated an outdoor space that’s less toxic and safer for your family, friendlier to wildlife and beneficial insects, and generally more, well, native!

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