I have been gardening all my life but it was only recently that I came to know that there are so many things that I could do as a gardener to help the environment and save money at the same time! If you have a garden at home and would like to help reduce harmful green house gases like CO2 and Methane in the environment, please consider the following tips:

1.) Use water resourcefully: Though we hate to admit it, all of us waste water, especially those of us who own a garden. Consider saving water by using the following techniques:

• Installing rain barrels
• Using drip irrigation system
• Water during morning and evening hours only to avoid excessive evaporation

2.)  Buy organic seeds: Buy and use organic garden seeds  in your garden. Organic seeds are easily available in the market today

3.) Grow more native plants: Consider growing low maintenance garden shrubs and bushes in your garden. These will indirectly help you save on energy. Grow more native plants and varieties that are drought resistant

4.) Have a roof garden: Roof gardens help you save energy by shielding your house from extreme climate.  Also consider growing trees around your yard. 

5.) Composite your garden waste: Composite your garden waste and use the resulting mulch as fertilizer. This will help you avoid use of chemical fertilizers as well as help reduce green house emissions

6.) Use hand power garden tools: Try and avoid using tools that are powered by gasoline or electricity. Switch to hand tools like push movers, hand clippers and rakes

7.) Avoid costly lighting: Make use of fluorescent bulbs instead of other outdoor lights that draw more power. Use automatic light timers to save more power.

8.) Consider developing a rain garden

A rain garden is a planted depression that is designed to absorb rainwater runoff from impervious urban areas like roofs, driveways, walkways, and compacted lawn areas. Having a rain garden in your yard will help capture storm-water runoff preventing the water from entering local lakes and streams thereby preventing water pollution