3 Easy Steps to Start Your Zero Waste Gardening

Jun 2nd, 2021

Now that winter is behind us and longer, warmer days are here, many of us are ready to head outdoors to clean up and prepare our gardens for another successful season of harvesting fruits and vegetables.

Time to repair some landscaping, start pruning and moving ground. So let’s take note of what happened to your garden while you were cooped up during the cold winter months, and get off to a great growing season.

This year, however, we are going to do things slightly differently. We are going to continue our Zero Waste journey that has transformed our kitchen and has changed how we celebrate Christmas forever.

Let us start our Zero Waste gardening journey!

Zero waste gardening is about making the most of those materials that otherwise end up in landfills and about avoiding waste of all kinds when creating and maintaining your garden.

Think about it. How much waste do we actually create while gardening? How much do we rely on disposable materials because of convenience? Do we really need all those materials that we buy in hardware stores? Gardening is a wonderful and important part of life to those who have green thumbs, but we all have to make sure it does nothing but good for our earth.

There are so many things you can do to embrace zero waste gardening. So, let’s take a look at the following 3-easy-steps you can take to make your hobby/obsession more sustainable.

Step 1 – Do not purchase anything new during your Zero Waste gardening journey

No need to head out to the hardware store and get yourself the latest, newly promoted, shiny garden tools. No need to buy a new wooden plank to fix that fence and definitely no need to buy anything that is wrapped in plastics of any kind.

Use what you have, even if it looks kind of shabby. If it is broken, try to fix it, or ask a friendly neighbour if they have a spare. You can also visit a local website and buy some used gardening tools.

Tip: visit construction sites and ask if they have any materials they plan to throw out and if you can pick out what you can repurpose. Most have lots of wood that you can use to make that garden box.

Step 2 – If you must buy, buy in bulk

You will be able to drastically reduce packaging waste, reduce transport miles and as an extra bonus, it will be much more beneficial for your wallet. Even if you have a smaller garden it will be cheaper and less wasteful to buy your potting mix in bulk.

Step 3 – Reuse plastic gardening pots

These new, black plastic pots are hard to avoid. Every time you buy a new plant, there they are. And they can start to pile up quickly. So, rather than sending them to a landfill, keep in mind the following tips:

Turn them into a shaker. Just scoop up what you need and start waving about.
Use it as a scoop. No need to buy a new hand shovel.
Is there frost in the air? Use them as overnight protection.
Paint them. Involve the kids, it is a fun project for the entire family.

Gardeners are by definition crafty people. So make sure to think about our planet’s future and don’t let anything end up in landfills. Now go out and enjoy your garden.

Earn your Zero Waste Certificate today!

If you are ready to take your Zero Waste knowledge to the next level, then you can register for the Zero Waste Fundamentals Program.

This self-run course consists of 5 sessions, a mix of video classes, mini-quizzes, exercises, and additional resources. It is specifically designed for those who are looking for more in-depth knowledge on Zero Waste and aims to provide a solid foundation of Zero Waste practices, policies, values, and concepts.

After completion, you will be able to actively identify, support, and advocate for Zero Waste, achieving a Zero Waste Canada official certificate of conclusion.

It is time to delve into this new way of living and start your journey toward Zero Waste.

Registration is open and we hope that you will join the wonderful global community of Zero Waste enthusiasts!

Don’t forget to share this post with all those who care for their environment and are ready for a new challenge!