Do you celebrate Earth Day?  Many people think it’s the big sweeping changes that will make an impact on the environment.  However, it’s really the little things that matter. When millions of people participate, they add up fast.  You can start recycling and upcycling in your backyard vegetable garden.  We have easy tips from landscaping experts, Rubber Mulch, to help you get started.   Every small action is part of the engine of positive environmental change!  Lets get started.  

Collect rainwater to help keep the garden green, even during a drought

A rain barrel will collect excess rainwater.  Something that can both protect and enhance your garden. It will help prevent flooding in low lying parts of the garden.  Additionally,  it will allow you to water your plants and flowers, guilt free, and with no impact to your water bill. Even during a drought, you can maintain your garden’s fresh and beautiful look. Tip –  Install a screen on the top of the barrel to keep pests and bugs out!

Bring on the Good Bugs!

There are several varieties of insects that are good for your garden.  You can encourage them to pay your plants and flowers a visit.  For example, ladybugs and lacewing flies love two things brightly colored flowers.  They also like sunflowers, marigolds  and plant destroying aphids. The former attracts the ladybugs and flies and the latter becomes their lunch!

So, how do you encourage the good bugs to visit your garden? Plant colorful flowers. They’ll see them like a botanical drive-thru window.

Do you like a little Irish Spring in the shower?

Buy two bars of Irish Spring soap. When you’re in the garden, shave a little of the first bar around your perennial plants and flowers.  Small, furry critters don’t care for it. It’s an inexpensive deterrent that smells a whole lot better than many of the products sold at the garden center.

When you’re done all your gardening efforts for the put it to good use on yourself. Its win-win!

Cornbread anyone?

If you’re partial to using corn meal gluten in your kitchen, you might want to use some in your garden. To keep weed  from germinating and growing into full fledged plants, sprinkle some corn meal around your flowers. The gluten will prevent any seed from germinating.  However, avoid it in your vegetable patch or nary a tomato will you grow.

Do you already have some weeds growing? A pinch of salt at the base of weed will kill it naturally.  Also, snails and slugs are slimy but oddly, they don’t care for man made slime!  As a result, spread some petroleum jelly on the edges of your pots and planters.  It will save your plants from becoming an all-a-snail-can-eat buffet.

Reuse milk jugs and plastic bottles

We all have too many of them in the house.  However, most can be recycled.   But you can also put a few of them to good use in the garden. You can keep your early spring seedlings safe from sudden frosts or other harsh weather.  Cut  the bottom from the jug or bottles and placing them over top of the seedling. This will protect them from threats of spring frost or hail. Just don’t forget to remove them when the good weather arrives.  The plants can benefit from the full and healthful effects of sun and rain!

Mulch much?

Mulching is so important for your garden! It protects plants from pests and weeds.  And it helps the plants retain moisture and the necessary minerals from the earth. Mulch helps cut down on the time and energy you spend maintaining the garden and plant beds. Take it to another level by using a sustainable and long lasting Rubber Mulch. They are made from recycled rubber tires. You can’t get more friendly to your garden and the earth than that!

Epsom salts for the garden?

So, did you know that Epsom salt is a perfect natural fertilizer? They will help keep your garden plants green, your flowers grow in abundance and balance the levels of magnesium in your soil.  An important mineral for your garden’s happiness. And then you can put some in your hot bath and relax those tired muscles after a day of tending to your beautiful garden!

Coffee grounds and eggshells are compost gold!

Who knew being addicted to coffee could end up being good for the garden? Coffee grounds that are placed in the earth or the compost, to a depth of 6 to 8 inches, can do a lot of good. The grounds provide phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and copper, all of which your soil needs.  They will release nitrogen into the soil.  Nitrogen is another essential compound for a healthy garden.  Sprinkle some as mulch at the base of your hydrangea plants and your pink flowers will turn blue as the grounds alter the PH levels of the soil!

Eggshells are good for your garden too:

1.     Eggshells are composed of 96% calcium carbonate so they can give your compost that hit of calcium it needs. Pepper and tomato plants love calcium!

2.     Crushed eggshells are sharp! Sprinkle some around your plants to deter pests like slugs and snails from munching on your growing garden.

These tips are things that we can all do to help our gardens grow and our earth to sustain itself.

RubberMulch.com is the original and environmentally responsible mulch made from 100% recycled rubber used in gardens, playgrounds and sustainable landscaping. Rubber Mulch is weather resistant, durable, and the most cost effective mulch around.  It protects children from falls on the playground. Rubber Mulch helps homeowners increase the curb appeal of their house and create the home and garden they have always dreamed of.