Your first priority is to nourish and provide habitat for a myriad of soil organisms.
Soil microbes break down organic matter and improve the health and growth of plants.
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Kertesz explains how this will help preserve moisture, release nutrients over time, and keep microorganisms engaged.
Mitchell advises against using plastic astroturf or other plastic-based soil coverings and recommends using natural products instead.
Plastic products break down quickly in sunlight and become millions of pieces of microplastics, Mitchell explains.
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Native plants are the foundation of ecosystems and they strengthen our shared environment, Nelson says.
Nelson adds that native planting is one of the best ways to preserve biodiversity and support local food webs.
If you want to make your garden more pollinator-friendly, planting native is the way to go.
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Mitchell explains that double-bloomed flowers offer minimal pollen and nectar to insects.
Instead, Mitchell suggests choosing plants with many small flowers since they often provide more food for wildlife.
This will attract more pollinators and add complexity to your garden design.
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Thats why Mitchell also emphasizes the importance of growing organically when you might.
Mitchell notes that growing native plants naturally reduces pest issues.
But eco-minded gardeners can also make their yards a little greener by making a habit of watering more efficiently.
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This can look like swapping out wasteful overhead sprinklers for more efficient drip irrigation lines.
Not only will these changes make your garden more water-resilient, but theyll also make watering much easier.
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