News Release Creighton University
OMAHA, Neb.-A pastime enjoyed each year by many individuals is summer gardening, and sustainable gardens are on the rise. Planting a sustainable backyard garden and farming indoors during the summer months is easier than you think, according to Mackenzie Taylor, associate professor of Biology at Creighton University.
“There
is a garden for every budget. An easy way to start is with herbs like
basil or rosemary,” Taylor said. “They grow well in pots that can
be placed both indoors and outdoors, and they don’t take up a lot
of space. If tended appropriately, herbs produce over long periods of
time, including the winter. The more use you get from a plant, the
more economical
it is.”
Maximizing your gardening space in the summer is crucial to make households more sustainable and economical. There also are plenty of low maintenance plants, such as herbs, fruits and vegetables, that can be harvested to add a colorful variety to any healthy diet.
Access
to plants that are economically friendly is among the top reasons
people begin gardening. However, some may
not have the tools or
time to fully indulge in the summer activity. Taylor suggests buying
in your community to fuel
local economies and help the
environment.
“Purchasing locally grown produce from a farmers’ market is usually best, as it supports the local economy and reduces the environmental impacts that come from transport,” Taylor said. “Many grocery stores also indicate when a product is local, and a manager can help you identify them. In addition, try to buy in-season produce because it often doesn’t travel as far. Buy produce that is not packaged in plastic and, when possible, utilize reusable bags to carry your produce home.”
According to Blue and Green Tomorrow, replacing 20% of the food you purchase from the store with food from your garden can reduce your carbon footprint by 68 pounds of carbon dioxide each year. To make an impact, Taylor suggests starting small.
The more plants you have, the more time consuming it can be to monitor, water, manage pests and harvest during the summer. If your backyard has a nice, sunny spot for a few plants, you can get started on building a garden space. If you don’t have much room for your garden, Taylor suggests planting in pots to maximize space indoors or outdoors.
“Many herbs and vegetables can be grown in pots. Ensure the pots have good drainage and are fairly deep,” Taylor said. “Generally, plants need four to eight hours of sunshine. If you don’t have a consistently sunny spot indoors, consider purchasing supplemental grow lights.”
Taylor also has a few recommendations for growing delicious summer produce. Some common garden plants include peppers, tomatoes, carrots, beans, eggplant, zucchini, cucumber and onions. If you are unsure about planting or need advice on how to grow a certain plant, you may want to seek out a master gardener or contact your local Extension office. YouTube also offers tutorials on seed planting and re-planting used produce.
Finally, abundance from the summer can lead to a surplus of fruits and vegetables. If you want your produce to last longer, Taylor suggests canning or freezing your produce. You can follow the guidelines for each type of produce, which can be found with a quick Google search.
About Creighton University: Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, enrolls 4,255 undergraduates and 4,399 graduate and professional students among nine schools and colleges. No other university its size offers students such a comprehensive academic environment with personal attention from faculty-mentors. Jesuit and Catholic, it affords incomparable interprofessional education, bridging eight health professions programs with law, business and the arts and sciences – all on one walkable campus. Creighton University ranks in the top third of U.S. News & World Report’s rankings for National Universities.