This year Conservation Week has provided me with an opportunity to reflect on the many ways in which an eco-garden is a conservation garden, and how this works. Here are some of my ideas.
An eco-gardener conserves nature by
(1) Growing indigenous plants (especially those which are rare, endangered, and/or endemic).
(2) Growing plants which provide habitat and food for indigenous animals.
(Native trees with nectar and berries are best for native birds, but some exotic trees e.g. winter-flowering eucalyptus and tree lucerne, also provide great bird tucker.)
(3) Keeping the ground covered with plants or mulches to conserve water.
(4) Returning all organic wastes to the soil to conserve carbon, nitrogen and other essential elements.
(5) Using non-toxic methods of weed and pest control.
A garden is Art as well as Nature, but I think of eco-gardening as Second Nature. The default position for anyone who wants a garden which is full of wonder, and not too much work.
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| Kaka beak (Clianthus puniceus) is endemic to New Zealand, and is now very rare in the wild. It is a beautiful flowering shrub which is popular with bees, and bellbirds. |
Love the reference to humans being a non-target species. Too true.
ReplyDeleteYes, I get a little cynical at the market for Festivals these days which turn into money making ventures rather than something that is truly part of the local community and arises naturally from the life and rhythm of that community.I guess the fact that these weeks, days and festivals exist just shows us how poor in terms of culture and relationship with our environment most of us have become. Hmm, I'l stop now! Beautiful blog and good writing. I look forward to reading along.
ReplyDeleteYay! I love it Christine. I'd add that an eco-gardener is also alert to the possibility of spread of exotic species from their gardens.
ReplyDeleteI like to mulch too but I find it encourages slugs which then ravage my veges. What is the real answer to slug control?