The nation is starting to become more environmentally conscious. People are looking for endless ways to counteract climate change and lessen highly harmful greenhouse gasses. You could help, too, by opting for more eco-friendly choices.

Earth-Friendly Tips for Macro-Level Agriculture

Farmers continue to get the worst impact of climate change. Due to the difference in the Earth’s climate, frequent flooding, dry spells, marked changes in the viability of crop and livestock, and the emergence of new weed, bug and pest issues are occurring. These floods take a toll on farmer’s crops and livestock. Flooding also speeds up soil erosion, contaminated water, and damages infrastructure. Meanwhile, droughts are detrimental to a farmer’s cattle and plants and even cause wildfires. 

Moreover, as the Earth’s climate rapidly changes, livestock and crops that used to grow in the local community are not thriving anymore. As such, farmers will have to think of other plants and animals that thrive in their environment, which implies having to study new practices, looking for a new market, and putting out new capital. As the climate continues to change, pests, bugs, and weeds that could not live in a particular environment will learn to thrive there. 

However, it’s not too late to make a change to counter these effects. Here are some tips:

1. Make a Compost Bin

The average simplified cropping systems result in barren soil, a heavy reliance on synthetic fertilizer, and the need to till land regularly. Consequently, grounds are left with little organic matter and do not encourage the development of deep, elaborate roots. As a result, soils experience lessened water-holding ability, heightened vulnerability to weathering, and water contamination and pollution. 

A compost bin is considered to be a highly essential add-on for environmentally-friendly farming. It’s an effortless way to have more nutritious soil while being cheap and eco-friendly at the same time. By incorporating a compost, you limit plant disease from escalating, keep moisture in the ground, attract healthy and useful microorganisms to aid in aerating the soil. 

To start composting, gather organic ingredients such as:

  • Coffee beans
  • Paper (tear it up or shred it)
  • Vegetables and fruit peels
  • Eggshells
  • Tea leaves
  • Leaves
  • Wood and grass cutting

Also, be sure to avoid weeds, pet stools, bones, fish, and meat to prevent attracting pests. Now, after gathering the necessary ingredients and avoiding harmful ones, layout your materials on a partly-sunny spot with level and moist soil. Worms and other compost-making bugs enjoy staying in damp areas. 

2. Set-up Homes for Fauna

Farms are supposed to be ecosystems with a wide variety of biodiversity over a vast expanse of land. Lack of biodiversity in farms resulted in higher risks and escalated climate change, which includes new pests and a pronounced difference in fauna and flora viability. Make your garden beautiful, lively, and friendly, while also combating climate change, by attracting animals. Add bird feeders and nesting boxes, ponds, beehives, hedgehog homes. Bird feeders and boxes will sway them to visit. They are not only a gorgeous sight, but they are also beneficial to your farm by eating pests. 

Doing this will also be helpful to the environment as you can cut back on toxic synthetic insecticides. Constructing a pond will also attract birds, as well as other beautiful insects such as dragonflies and butterflies. Also, create a home for hedgehogs such as a log pile or a compost bin.

3. Invest in a Water System

In response to the increasing climate heat, farmers should try adding irrigation or going for an adequate water system to counteract extreme temperature conditions and dry spells. As such, think about installing an irrigation system. 

Standard irrigation systems include automated ones, sprinklers, hoses, and soaker hoses. Each serves its purpose. Hoses let you water only where you need to, but they require a lot of effort. Meanwhile, soaker hoses allow you to water rows of plants while hindering evaporation.

Those tools might cost you a bit more at first, but in the long run it will help to save more on the water as well as money. Still wondering how to choose a hi-tech, check out WeekendGardener.net for recommendations and advice.

Creating an Environmentally-Friendly Garden

1. Attract Beneficial Insects

Not all insects are considered pests. They are splendid, magnificent creatures that can be very useful to your garden. They also get rid of bugs that are detrimental to your garden’s health. Here are examples of good bugs and how they can be beneficial to you:

  • Bees are essential to your garden. They pollinate plants and provide us with delicious honey. 
  • Beetles are highly underrated. Yes, some can be harmful such as Japanese beetles. However, most do provide your garden support. They eat harmful pests, pollinate plants, and aid in composting animal waste and decaying plants. 
  • Ladybirds and lacewings prey on aphids like blackflies. Aphid infestations are a real pain, so do consider adding marigolds, candytufts, and sunflowers as additions to your garden to attract ladybirds and lacewings. 
  • Ladybugs are a crowd favorite. They are not only lovely to look at, but they also feed on a variety of harmful insects such as scale insects, mealybugs, whiteflies, aphids, mites, and all other pests which have mouths that suck and eat plants. 

2. Opt for Organic Choices

Use natural fertilizers and avoid pesticides. There are a variety of options when it comes to creating organic fertilizer. Leftover food, lawn clippings, animal manure, and vegetable matter, and many more are natural ways to nourish your soil and help your garden flourish. 

Meanwhile, you can avoid synthetic pesticides by attracting helpful insects that will prey on harmful ones. Another option is to use sprays made out of bacteria, copper, and sulfur. However, as they decompose quickly, you will have to apply them quite frequently.