A home herb garden can help you to restore ecosystems, improve biodiversity, save money and have fresher produce at home. Why not start today!
Home herb garden in 5 simple steps
- Choose the best location. Even if you’ve only got a balcony, take a day or two to study where the sun comes and when, and find a spot that isn’t too windy.
- Pick the right pots. Look for second-hand options and consider whether window boxes, single pots or perhaps a vertical garden will optimise your space.
- Select seeds or seedlings. Seedlings are easier but seeds are cheaper. Also pick the right plants for the time of year and your conditions (read the label!). Start small.
- Find an all-purpose potting mix. Research the sustainability of commercial fertilisers carefully and consider solutions such as compost or worm juice.
- Water wisely. Are your plants exposed to rainfall? Can you save water from other household uses to re-purpose? Design a strategy for regular watering.
These tips are compiled using information from the following sources: Queensland Government, Brisbane City Council, Gardening Australia.
Understanding the problem
Healthy ecosystems are essential for our survival. Yet loss of nature threatens to destroy our environment and eliminate one million species in the next decade, the United Nations says.
Ecosystem restoration is one of the most important challenges facing humanity.
We must “bend the curve” on biodiversity loss to have any chance of halting or reversing this trend, the UN explains in its Decade on Ecosystem Restoration guide, launched in 2021.
Understanding your impact
You might think a small herb garden is a long way from helping to save the planet, but every individual action can make a difference, the UN says.
Growing your own garden is one of the best ways you can positively impact your carbon footprint, improve biodiversity and reduce food miles. Numerous studies have also shown that gardening is good for your physical and mental health.
But if you’re living in an apartment or a share house, growing plants can be tricky. Or, perhaps you’re just not sure where to start?
Begin with herbs. They can make a practical difference to your health and wallet and will help you to develop sustainability skills you can use for the rest of your life.
Where to next?
This is part of our DIY sustainability series, created for UQ Sustainability Week and beyond. The series offers simple suggestions and fun activities for students, staff and members of the public who would like to increase sustainability-related actions in their daily lives.