The 7 commandments of green gardening

You shall remember that soil is your best fertilizer (and use mulch!). Gardeners tend to spend money on manmade, resource-intensive chemical fertilizers, and forget that the best source of nutrients for plants is quality soil. "A successful garden is 75% healthy soil," says Kelly. Till in compost (your municipality may offer it for free) in the spring and fall. And make sure you add a topcoat of mulch, which helps plants to retain water longer as well as to fend off weeds.

You shall water less frequently but longer. Gardeners who water frequently and shallowly are weakening plant root systems, wasting water and time, says Claire. The key is to water less often, but deeper (preferably early in the morning). That allows roots systems to become hardier, which will help them survive drought conditions.

You shall not shop carelessly for plant and garden materials. So many gardeners are eco-conscious but then pick their plants randomly, says Claire. Most of us don't realize how far plants travel before making it to a nursery, especially when they're not local, she explains. The answer? Source local landscaping materials, including rocks and soil, and opt for native plants. "They're hardier, and require less resources and fertilizers to maintain."

Lastly, thou shall remember to emulate nature in every way. The biggest myth about organic gardening is that it's more work. "The reverse is true," says Kelly. A perfect example is how many gardeners set to work turning over the soil in spring. In fact, digging up the soil tears up a precious relationship between fungus and a plant's root system called mycorrhiza. Instead, Kelly suggests adding a little soil mineral amendment (such as Gaia Glacial Rock Dust). If ever in doubt, ask yourself: Would Mother Nature approve?

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