Do you want to cultivate a zero waste garden and avoid waste as effectively as possible when gardening? Then you've come to the right place! A garden is a place to relax, but it can also be a place to conserve resources, protect the environment and climate and save costs. Provided you make a conscious effort to reduce waste, for example by using disposable pots or unnecessary packaging for chemical fertilizers and pest sprays.
In this article, I present simple but effective tips for zero waste in the garden that you can implement straight away. Sustainable, plastic-free and resource-saving - without sacrificing comfort, aesthetics or yield. Let's go!
Why Create a Zero Waste Garden?
A zero-waste garden not only saves waste, but also Money, Resources and Time. You use what is already there, promote the Circular Economy and create a near-natural habitat for animals and plants, which of course you can also enjoy. Enjoy simply by following your heart.
At the same time reduce your plastic consumptionavoid unnecessary purchases and conserves natural resources in everyday life - without having to restrict yourself 🙂
20 Practical Tips for Waste-Free Gardening
Pretty motivating, right? Then let's Waste neither resources nor time and move straight on to specific practical tips for keeping your garden as litter-free as possible:
Waste-Free Gardening – Tips #11–20
- Plan your garden in advance: Take your wishes and needs into account when planning your garden. Planning ahead "only buys once" saves on packaging waste and money for potential bad purchases. (Book tip: Designing low-maintenance natural gardens* by Paula Polak)
- Build garden furniture and tools from pallets: Turn old Euro pallets into garden sofas, insect hotels, trellises or composters - and avoid resource-intensive new purchases.
- Choose perennial plants: Perennial shrubs, herbs and berry bushes save on sowing, pots and packaging every year - and are particularly Easy to care for in the garden.
- Collect rainwater: With a rain barrel or cistern you can Save water in the garden. You water for free and save resources - perfect for vegetable beds, potted plants and the lawn. (Inspiration tip: This old whiskey barrel* from temesso)
- Start a compost pile: Organic kitchen and garden waste is turned into nutrient-rich soil in a closed cycle - plastic-free, free of charge and without any synthetic fertilizer from the plastic bag.
- Match plants to the right location: Plants have different requirements - for example for soil, light, water or nutrients. If you plant them in the right places, you can save on resources, water, fertilizer and, of course, a lot of waste.
- Skip plastic ground covers: It is better to use natural alternatives such as jute, straw, cardboard or Bee-friendly ground cover. This protects the garden soil - and reduces plastic waste.
- Buy soil in bulk: Get your garden soil in bulk from building material dealers - with mortar tubs in the trunk of your car or in a trailer. Much cheaper, more sustainable and without plastic bags.
- Use second-hand tools: Whether it's a shovel, watering can or spade - durable Second-hand goods for sale saves raw materials and waste in the garden. Well cared for, they last forever.
- Upcycle old items: Use egg cartons, tin cans, milk churns, bricks or old watering cans as pot replacements, deodorant or bed borders to create an individual garden without waste.
Avoiding waste in the garden - tips #11-20
- Reuse garden cuttings: Create animal-friendly Benjes hedges and deadwood piles with cuttings or fill the raised bed with them. This keeps everything in the cycle - in the spirit of the Zero Waste Lifestyle.
- Mulch with leaves or grass clippings: Whether Leaves left lying around or bark mulch from the building materials trade - these natural materials suppress weeds, retain moisture in the soil and create living space.
- Share or swap plants: Experienced zero waste gardeners do not buy new young plants. They get them from the neighborhood, from swap markets or via classified ads.
- Buy seeds in paper – or save your own: Produce your own seeds or buy them in paper bags. This way you reduce plastic waste in the garden and Save money sustainably. Many plants can also be propagated by dividing them, again saving you resources and money.
- Make plastic-free plant labels: Old boards, branches or shards of clay can be easily reused as natural signage in the zero waste garden. Plastic-free and charming.
- Buy bare-root plants: There are more and more offers for plants that you can get as rooted plants without plastic pots and soil. Much cheaper and no waste. Perfect!
- Rehome tools and supplies you don’t need: What you no longer need can be useful for others. Sell, give away or swap items to conserve existing resources in the garden.
- Use coffee grounds as fertilizer: Coffee grounds are versatileFertilize with coffee grounds:
- Grow your own food: The extension in the Raised bed* saves packaging waste, long delivery routes and money - and brings the joy of harvesting right to your doorstep. Zero packaging - and full of flavor.
- Avoid single-use plastic: Disposable products are the symbol of our Throwaway Society. In a plastic-free garden, opt for durable alternatives made of metal, wood or clay - e.g. for pots, watering cans or garden decorations. (Book tip: Plastic-free living for beginners*)
Zero Waste Gardening Made Simple!
Zero waste in the garden is not magic, but a question of Mindsets - and the Creativity! Even small changes in your everyday life can make a big difference: Less plastic, more nature, a more conscious use of our resources and maybe even lower waste fees 🙂
But be aware that nothing has to be perfect and that it's okay if some waste is still produced despite the tips mentioned here. Because every small step towards a zero waste garden counts.
"To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow."
Audrey Hepburn (more under Garden Quotes)
Do you have any questions, suggestions or other tips for reducing waste in the garden and using resources more efficiently? Then I look forward to your comment.
Stay clean,
PS: Do you want to produce even less waste? In the next article you will now find the best Zero Waste tips for everyday lifethat are guaranteed to help you. Have fun!
