Article by Evelyn Long
Much of the population has awakened to climate change impacts and the need for collectively reducing individual carbon footprints. Likewise, there’s been a greater emphasis on restoring habitats and conserving natural resources for a greener future.
Sustainable gardening for residential and commercial landscapes presents a solution for rebuilding the natural world. Using several eco-friendly tactics, tools and other elements, people have beautified their outdoor spaces and improved their environmental stewardship.
You may wonder how you can achieve a sustainable garden without extensive demolition of your patio and hardscaping — this is where durable outdoor planters with unique drainage and irrigation features come into play. Integrating conventional and container gardening will help you create the most ecologically sound landscape possible.
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Sustainable Gardening Solutions to Consider
Every sustainable gardening journey begins with careful plant selections and a commitment to eco-friendly approaches. Although it isn’t difficult — even for beginners — it may require you to do your research to determine the best sustainable solutions. Here are four things to keep in mind.
Native Plants
According to the National Audubon Society, 150 million acres of natural habitat and farmland have been lost to urban sprawl. Today, a sea of pristine lawns spans 40 million acres, breaking down once-functional ecosystems and pushing wildlife out.
As such, many gardeners are replacing conventional lawns and exotic landscaping with native plants. Native flora naturally occur within a region and have grown and adapted there for thousands of years. They are preferred plants for attracting local biodiversity, including pollinators like bees, butterflies and birds.
These highly evolved plants have many benefits, including low maintenance needs. They require fewer chemical fertilizers and pesticides and infrequent irrigation. Many native plants are also perennials, returning every spring and summer while filling your garden with lush greenery and colorful blooms.
Water Conservation
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Americans use nearly 8 billion gallons of water daily for outdoor activities like landscape irrigation. The average household uses more water outdoors than for washing clothes and showering put together.
While native plants will undoubtedly help limit irrigation, it’s important to integrate other water-conserving strategies in sustainable gardening. Drip irrigation systems redirect water directly to the root so it doesn’t vaporize. Similarly, watering in the early morning or late evening also reduces evaporation.
Many gardeners also harvest rainwater in barrels and use it as a separate source from the main water line.
Xeriscaping
Xeriscaping is another method of conserving water using drought-tolerant plants. In fact, some experts say it can help you reduce water consumption by 50% to 75% in some locations. These types of gardens are often found in Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and other arid climates — all of which experience long stretches of little to no precipitation.
With xeriscaping, you’ll want to replace monoculture lawns with appropriate native plants, soil, rocks and mulch. Myrtles, cacti and daffodils are excellent options and look beautiful when potted. Of course, the larger the plant or tree, the more durable the outdoor planter you’ll want to put it in.
Soil Health
Optimal soil health must be a priority whether planting in garden beds or planters. Composting is a sustainable approach to enriching the soil with nutrients, balancing the pH levels and boosting fertility to promote thriving plant life.
Compost breaks down organic matter into dirt with quality water retention and aeration. It also reduces pests and diseases, decreasing the need for toxic pesticides and herbicides. Most importantly, composting helps divert some of the billions of metric tons of municipal solid waste produced yearly around the world.
You can start a compost bin to generate nutrient-dense soil for your garden. Fill it regularly with food scraps and give it time to biodegrade. Also, include natural debris like grass clippings and wood. Use a wood chipper to shred old wood for easier composting, or chip it as mulch to protect plants and prevent erosion.
Durable Outdoor Planters: A Sustainable Approach
Not everyone has the space or ability to grow a sustainable garden. Fortunately, you can use durable outdoor planters to achieve similar results. The most eco-friendly planters take materials, longevity, design and functionality into account.
For instance, some planters, such as those made from metal, can be recycled or upcycled. Others are made from coconut coir or pear and biodegrade naturally over time, minimizing waste. Terracotta pots also have a low environmental impact. These planters are made from clay and don’t emit harmful pollutants into the air or ground. Their porous surfaces also allow for better ventilation.
Outdoor planters often match durability with innovative design. Some are self-watering to regulate soil moisture better and reduce water consumption. Many also come in modular designs to accommodate different plant sizes and garden layouts.
You can even find dual-purpose planters with bench seating and storage to maximize outdoor space. These can greatly improve landscape aesthetics and help you make better use of smaller backyards or urban environments.
How to Garden Sustainably in Commercial Spaces
Sustainable gardens enhance commercial spaces, from restaurants to universities and hotels. Many businesses prefer incorporating sustainable gardening practices into their outdoor spaces to appeal to the public and meet their sustainability goals.
Because of their low maintenance requirements, sustainable gardens help organizations save money on professional landscaping care and water use. The biophilic design — blending the natural and built environments — also improves the mental well-being of the people who live and work there.
One example of a commercial sustainable garden is Ford Motor Company’s Rouge facility in Dearborn, Michigan. This 10-plus-acre living roof comprises thousands of perennials and sedum plants, which collect and filter 4 million gallons of water annually. The roof surface has also improved the facility’s energy efficiency by 7% and boosted air quality by 40%.
In 2022, Google opened its 2-acre rooftop park at Pier 57 in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood to the public. The company planted tulips and other shrubbery in garden beds, with wooden step seating for visitors to enjoy the Manhattan skyline. The park is part of a $410 million restoration project for the historic structure.
Of course, commercial spaces may also install sustainable flower beds and planters throughout their business campuses, including walkways, entrances and parking lots.
Other Tips for Creating a Sustainable Garden
Embracing sustainability as a foundation of landscaping is a process. While you’ll reap the rewards, whether installing eco-friendly gardens or planters at a residence or business campus, it’s essential to have a few tricks up your sleeve to make things as simple as possible.
Integrated Pest Management
Pests can be a hassle and wreak havoc on the most beautiful green spaces. However, insecticides can be just as detrimental, posing a health risk to pollinators and people. Studies even show over 500 pest species have built resistance against chemical solutions.
Integrated pest management (IPM) works for in-ground landscaping or potted plants. It comprises a more holistic approach, including companion planting, ensuring proper spacing and the introduction of beneficial insects like ladybugs.
IPM practices reduce pesticide use by 95% in some crops. Research on watermelon plants also indicates a 129% increase in pollinator visits and 26% higher yields.
Grass Alternatives
If your property has grassy landscaping, it is best to replace it with sustainable alternatives. Depending on your climate, native grasses like blue grama, buffalo grass and switchgrass are popular.
Zoysia is another variety recognized for its drought tolerance and resistance to common plant diseases. Its lush ground coverage — which grows best in hot and humid climates — protects it from high foot traffic and environmental stress.
Ornamental grasses — such as fountain grass and feather reed grass — are also drought-resistant and aesthetically pleasing. However, not all species fare well in excessively wet conditions.
Pollinator-Friendly Plants
Pollinators are essential to every greenscape. Unfortunately, many species are disappearing due to habitat loss, harmful landscaping applications, diseases and climate change. A sustainable garden includes pollinator-friendly native plants to support birds, bees and other beneficial wildlife to encourage biodiversity.
The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation maintains guides for pollinator plants depending on the region. For example, in Florida, butterfly milkweed, buttonbush, white wild indigo and coastal plain chaffhead serve bees, caterpillars, butterflies and moths.
In the Maritime Northwest, one might plant common yarrow, deerbrush, bigleaf lupine and Canada goldenrod. It’s important to refer to the guides to see when the plants bloom, the type of soil they require and how much sun they need.
Vertical Plantings
Vertical gardens are becoming increasingly on trend, especially in commercial properties with limited outdoor space. It’s possible to hang durable outdoor planters and wall-mounted potted plants for a unique aesthetic.
Vertical plantings also increase energy efficiency. Numerous studies have shown improvements in thermal comfort by providing greater insulation, solar absorption, shading and lower surface temperatures on structural walls.
In warm climates, living walls and hanging planters reduce energy consumption by 5%–50% while decreasing indoor temperatures by 4.71 degrees Celcius — about 40.5 degrees Fahrenheit. They also lessen a building’s impact on the urban heat island and help filter air pollutants.
Garden Sustainably for a Greener Future
Numerous tools and resources are available to adopt sustainable gardening at home or around your commercial space. Durable outdoor planters in various shapes and sizes are especially beneficial for those with limited space and vacant lots, allowing them to embrace environmental responsibility and contribute to a greener tomorrow.
Enhance Your Sustainable Garden with Jay Scotts’ Durable Fiberglass Planters
Jay Scotts’ fiberglass planters stand out as a sustainable solution for modern landscaping. Crafted from durable, weather-resistant materials, they offer long-term performance without compromising on style. Designed for both functionality and aesthetics, these planters are ideal for eco-conscious spaces. Explore the Jay Scotts collection to elevate your space with lasting quality.