How “benign neglect” can actually improve your garden

If you like the idea of ​​a rich garden, but you’re not too keen on all the watering, fertilizer, and care that accompanies it, I have a gardening philosophy to share with you: It is “Benign negligence..” The idea is to create favorable conditions for plasticNative nts in an area let them do their own thing while sitting down and drinking Mai Tais. It sounds basically, but benign neglect is the opposite of centuries-old garden design traditions, where “successful” landscapes are filled with certain exotics.And often labor intensive— —flora.

The secret of benign ignoring gardening

Native plants are plants that grow in your neighborhood if humans did not cover the earth in streets or office parks.Here are many benefits to local botanical heroes.They may not be as clean as some rock star plants, but they thrive like tulips because they have evolved for millions of years to live in the very environment where someone built your home. no.

Not only do native plants grow better than exotic plants, they also do not grow out of control.Plants don’t care about your location Site boundaries can be wild for some plants without the natural “check and balance” of the native biome. ((((Plant some bamboo to see what I mean. Wait, in fact, Do not plant bamboo. )

You may not know where the greenery in the garden came from. You may have to do a little research, as both home and civilian gardeners made plant choices many years ago, and probably didn’t consider the local ecosystem.You can use the following apps iNaturalist Instantly identify plants and eradicate the number of outpatients you want to get rid of.

You can use t to find out which plants are native to your homeNational Wildlife Federation Native plant finder, It provides a zip code-by-zip guide to US trees, shrubs, flowers, and grass. From there, all you have to do is track the shrubs and seedlings and plant a new garden.

Benign neglect gardening encourages insects and birds (in a good way)

In other words, Tony Montana Scar face“Get the native plants first. Then get the pollen maters. Then, get the pollen maters. woman.Anyway, a bird.

Insects and birds that grow naturally in your area have evolved with plants, so they are designed to live, eat, and pollinate. Non-native plants, on the other hand, can create food deserts because the crawlers and leaflets in the neighborhood are often inedible or inedible. Therefore, I am thinking of growing good crops of native plants so that bugs will appear.

Maybe you are thinkingut i don’t really I want There are many insects in the backyard. This is an understandable concern — the relationship between humans and insects is at best tense — but you good Bugs associated with bad things. You like caterpillars, ladybugs, bees, and butterflies, right? OOne of the ultimate goals of benign neglect gardening is to have these useful insects and pollen maters. To keep flowers and vegetables healthy without taking your fingers off. They are like your little servant. In addition, insects attract hungry birds, and everyone loves birds. Native garden More resistant to invasive species Do you know what that means, too? There is little weeding.

Studies show Suburban landscaping using native plants greatly supports “caterpillars and caterpillar species, and bird abundance, diversity, species abundance, biomass, native breeding pairs” and “community conservation. The bird species of “concern” 8 times It is richer in the characteristics of native plants.

Ignoring your garden may save you money (and may help save the world)

Use about 9 1 billion gallons of water per day in the United States.S. To keep our lawn and garden growing, and the average U.S. Family spends $ 1,100 a year for water.. If your garden gets all or most of its water from rain and moisture, you can significantly reduce its cost. In addition, all that water needs to be treated and pumped, which uses energy. This often requires burning fossil fuels.

So by gently ignoring your garden You are not just saving money, you are saving the earth— —When You will be lazy.