Your favorite local plant nursery, Millcreek Gardens, is a valuable resource for Northern Utah gardeners. We’re not only fully stocked with a vast selection of plants, landscaping trees and gardening supplies, but our friendly staff is always here and happy to offer advice.

Plant Nursery Tips for an Eco-Friendly Utah Garden

This month, in honor of Earth Day, we would like to share our best plant nursery tips for creating an eco-friendly Utah garden. Incorporate some or all of these natural gardening ideas to conserve water, save energy and help protect the environment.

Landscape with Native Utah Garden Plants

Native Utah plants are well-adapted to the region’s growing conditions, which means they require less water and maintenance than exotic, imported varieties. In addition, native plants are more resistant to pests and disease, reducing the need for chemical treatments.

Create Delightful Container Gardens

Dedicating some of your landscaping space to container gardens helps reduce the use of water, fertilizer and pesticide. Inside a container, plants don’t have to compete with weeds for water, and fertilizer lasts longer because it stays concentrated in the soil. You’ll also need to use fewer pesticides. Container gardens are a great way to introduce kids to the joys of gardening and help them learn about environmental responsibility.

Xeriscape Your Utah Garden

Xeriscaping is an approach to landscaping that minimizes the need for water. To xeriscape your Utah garden, choose drought-resistant plants and use drip irrigation instead of sprinklers, or water by hand. If you’re serious about xeriscaping, you can also collect and store rainwater for use in your garden.

Plant Landscaping Trees

Planting deciduous landscaping trees along the south-facing side of your property will help you save energy by shading your home during the hot summer months and allowing it to shine through during the winter. You can also cut your winter energy consumption by planting evergreen trees as natural windbreaks. Your local plant nursery can offer tips on which varieties to select to maximize your energy savings.

Attract Beneficial Bugs and Birds

If you want a self-sustaining, eco-friendly Utah garden, you’ll need to attract and support pollinators as well as other beneficial insects and birds. To accomplish this, plant a variety of native flowering plants with staggered blooming seasons and provide access to clean water, pesticide-free food sources and safe shelter.

Grow Your Own Food

One of our favorite plant nursery tips for an eco-friendly garden is to grow some of your own food. Planting veggies, herbs, berries and fruit trees not only provides you with a great source of delicious produce, but it also decreases your carbon footprint by reducing your reliance on large-scale food delivery systems.

For more tips, tricks and answers to all of your gardening questions, take a trip to Millcreek Gardens. Our plant nursery staff has the knowledge and expertise to address all your landscape and gardening needs.

From native Utah plants and seeds to gardening supplies, tools, treatments and more, Millcreek Gardens has everything you need to create a gorgeous, eco-friendly Utah garden. To celebrate Earth Day, visit our Salt Lake City plant nursery today.