Celebrating Earth Day with Herbs: Sustainable Gardening and Eco-Friendly Living Tips
If you’ve been following me, you know I am a nature lover/tree hugger, and part of my business plan is sharing my love of nature and all her glory with you! She is an inspiration and a healer of all things. However, what we take from her, we have the responsibility to give back. She needs protection and conservation from those who wish to exploit her natural beauty and resources.
One way to celebrate Earth Day is to incorporate sustainable gardening and eco-friendly living practices into our daily lives. Herbs are a great way to do this, as they are easy to grow, provide many benefits, and can be used in various ways. This post will review some tips for celebrating Earth Day with herbs.
Grow Your Own Herbs
Growing your own herbs is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and enjoy fresh, flavorful herbs all year round. Herbs are easy to grow and require little space, making them ideal for small gardens, balconies, or windowsills. You can start with some of the more common herbs like basil, thyme, and parsley or try growing more exotic varieties like lemongrass, curry leaves, or cilantro. When you grow your own herbs, you can be sure they are organic and free from harmful chemicals.
Here is one of my videos Want To Grow Herbs? Learn About The Mint Family. The Mint family is a big family. There are many herbs you can choose from as a beginning gardener. These plants are easy to grow and forgiving if you don’t know what you are doing.
Compost Your Kitchen Scraps
Composting is a simple and effective way to reduce waste and improve the health of your soil. By composting your kitchen scraps, you can turn them into nutrient-rich soil that can be used to grow healthy, vibrant herbs. You can use a compost bin or create your own compost pile. Be sure to include a mix of green and brown materials, like fruit and vegetable scraps, leaves, and paper.
While the following video from GroVeg provides a comprehensive introduction to composting basics, I personally have been composting for decades with a simpler approach. I typically dump my kitchen and garden scraps onto a pile in the woods and let wildlife mix it for me. I don't cover it. Instead, I allow nature to do its thing. Come Spring, I dig out what I need for my garden beds and continue to add to the pile.
Use Natural Pest Control Methods
Pesticides can harm the environment and the beneficial insects and animals that help keep your garden healthy. Instead of using chemical pesticides, try natural pest control methods like companion planting, handpicking pests, and neem oil or soap spray. Companion planting involves planting certain herbs or flowers alongside your herbs to deter pests and attract beneficial insects.
Here is a great tutorial from my YouTube channel on Chemical Free Gardening Using Baking Soda and Vinegar.
https://www.youtube.com/live/GY66QO7ChuM?feature=share
Use Herbs In Your Cooking and Cleaning
Herbs can be used in various ways beyond just flavoring your food. They can also be used in natural cleaning solutions, like lemon and thyme cleaner or lavender and vinegar floor cleaner. By using herbs in your cleaning solutions, you can avoid using harmful chemicals and reduce your impact on the environment.
Check out my Medium article, How to Spring Clean with Herbs. I offer a list of herbs you can use for various cleaning jobs.
Support local and sustainable herb growers
If you don’t have the space or time to grow your own herbs, consider supporting local and sustainable herb growers. Look for herbs that are grown without pesticides or chemicals and support growers who use sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. I recommend you check out your local farmers market or your state's Agricultural Extension Office for a listing of local growers in your area.
Final Thoughts
Celebrating Earth Day with herbs is a great way to incorporate sustainable gardening and eco-friendly living practices into your daily life. By growing your own herbs, composting your kitchen scraps, using natural pest control methods, using herbs in your cooking and cleaning, and supporting local and sustainable herb growers, you can reduce your environmental impact and enjoy the many benefits of herbs. Happy Earth Day!
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