Like any activity that takes place over time, gardening is both an immediate and a cumulative experience. We garden day to day and through the seasons, experiencing the satisfaction of tucking a seedling into the ground and of seeing it flower or produce months later.
It is in the day to day that gardeners can have the greatest opportunity to be Bay-Friendly. Whether or not you compost, how you prune, what you do with your grass clippings, how you water—these kinds of practices determine how environmentally friendly your garden will be. The realm of regular maintenance is where gardeners can contribute the most to reducing waste and pollution. In this section, a host of Bay-Friendly Gardening practices are described. They are the core of Bay-Friendly Gardening.
Pictured below is a garden illustrating some of the key elements of a Bay-Friendly approach.
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Contributes to a Healthy Environment
Organic vegetable garden provides healthy, tasty produce throughout the year. |
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Reduces Waste in the Garden
Raised Beds are created from broken concrete and fence is constructed from reclaimed lumber. |
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Creates Wildlife Habitat
Bird-bath provides water for wildlife. |
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Conserves Water
Lawn if front replaced with low water used native ground covers. |
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Build Healthy Soil
Repository for leaves to collect under trees as mulch. |
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Protects Local Watersheds and the Bay
Permeable paving on the driveway and front walkway prevents runoff. |
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Saves Energy
Evergreen windbreak blocks north winter winds. |
You can become a Bay-Friendly Gardener with these resources:
