In our previous blog post, we provided an overview of the difference between conventional and organic landscaping. We explained the ultimate goal of organic landscaping: to use gardening and lawn care methods that create an outdoor environment in harmony with the natural world. Organic landscapers focus first on building the soil to nurture plants to ensure that they thrive.
Now that we’ve explained what organic landscaping is, in this post we will elaborate on a few benefits of choosing organic techniques instead of traditional methods.
Biodiversity measures the variety and health of life in a particular habitat or environment. Organic gardening best practices involve planting mostly (but not all) native plants that are used to the local environment. These plants tend to be more naturally resistant to diseases and fungi.
Native plants used in organic landscaping are also important to provide a foundation for a local habitat’s food chain. According to the Audubon Society, native plant gardens are “a collective effort to nurture and sustain the living landscape for birds and other animals.”
When you employ organic gardening tactics, it allows plants to have deeper root systems. Longer roots means that a plant can access more nutrients and water from the soil, helping it grow and stay healthy. But deep roots are also beneficial for the soil in your yard. A long root system helps anchor soil which makes it more resistant to erosion, according to the National Gardening Association.
Deep plant roots also help make soil more porous so they can better transport water and nutrients to plants. Some roots can grow 10 feet or more below the ground. Using organic landscaping methods will help enrich your soil with deep, healthy plant roots.
Bayer, the massive German pharmaceutical company that owns the Roundup weed killer brand, has been in the news recently after multiple high-profile legal judgments against the company. The active ingredient in Roundup, glyphosate, has been identified as a likely cause of non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma cancer.
Recent legal developments involving Roundup and glyphosate are one example of a broader point: using chemicals on your yard is usually more dangerous than using organic methods. It’s true that some types of chemicals can provide faster results than natural tactics, but you run the risk of harming people or animals. Certain kinds of pesticides and fertilizers can be especially dangerous to dogs and cats.
While you may find that organic gardening and landscaping tactics require a bit more work upfront, the long run payoff is well worth it. Developing a yard that is more in tune with nature will improve the health of the local environment, strengthen your plants and soil, and protect people and animals. If you want to know more about how Moodscapes can help you use organic landscaping tactics in your yard, contact us today.