Written by Penelope Hyland, Colorado Master Gardener Class of 2018

When we talk about ecosystems, we usually think about larger ecosystems such as rain forest, oceans, tidal basins, prairies, tundra, woodland and others.  But your backyard garden is also an ecosystem and a very important ecosystem that impacts the environment around you. An ecosystem is an interacting system of living organisms and their environment.  Gardens attract mammals, birds, insects, worms, microorganisms, fungi and bacteria in search of food and habitat.  All the organisms influence each other and their environment as their environment also influences them.  All are dependent upon each other and a healthy, harmonious ecosystem. Like all other ecosystems, gardens are a complex system that is influenced by you and your gardening activities. A gardener and their practices are a part of this ecosystem and affect the environments and all the organisms. Certain gardening practices can disturb the harmony by inadvertently killing organisms or altering the environment.  Any change in one element affects all the elements of the whole garden. Good horticulture practices result in a balanced sustainable garden ecosystem with minimal pest and disease issues.

Fortunately, maintaining a healthy garden ecosystem is fairly easy.  When we look at planning or adding a plant or several plants to our landscape and garden, we need to remember to look at the landscape as a whole and not just an addition.  The “whole” is a habitat that ideally should be native to the area or at least partially native.  Native plants are important as they are adapted to the soil and environment which makes it easier for them to thrive and to resist pests and disease.  They do not require fertilizers, use less water, reduce air pollution, absorb carbon,  provide food and shelter for wildlife and pollinators.  Some have co-evolved with certain species.  Planting natives also increases biodiversity which is crucial for a healthy ecosystem.

How you can develop a healthy ecosystem in your garden:

• Maintain an unsterile garden: healthy gardens aren’t meticulously cleaned;  removal of all leaves and organic litter deprives wildlife, insects and pollinators of much needed food and shelter.
• Minimize fertilizer use: natives typically don’t require fertilization.  Often the nutrients in fertilizers are inaccessible to the plant and simply leach unused into the soil.  Otherwise, they will provide a quick lush growth that is not resistant to pests and disease and can lead to a chemical imbalance.  Unless a plant is exhibiting signs of disease or a symptom that indicates the need of a certain nutrient, it is not always beneficial to use fertilizers.
• Disuse of pesticides: pesticides have a negative impact on garden ecosystems and can destroy the natural food source for insects, birds and other pollinators; destructive chemicals are also entered into ground water sources and spread.
• Water: irrigate longer and less frequently.
• Diversity planting:  using a variety of deciduous, evergreen and herbaceous plants to provide a natural biodiversity which in turn helps to limit the proliferation of any one pest or disease.  Including trees, shrubs and perennials provides a natural habitat for wildlife.  Habitat loss is the main cause of dwindling wildlife populations. A wide variety of plants, wildlife, insects and pollinators assists in developing and maintaining a healthy ecosystem and contributes to the health of the environment around you.
• Improvement of soil: caring for the soil is the best way to maintain a healthy garden and ecosystem.  Amending soil with organic matter will increase the overall depth of workable soil. It will also create larger reservoirs for water (which reduces irrigation needs) and produce less plant stress and competition. It will also provide higher resistance to pest and disease, provide food and habitat for beneficial insects and microorganisms as well as reduce weeds and provide protection from the sun.

As you can see, all of these ways to improve a healthy ecosystem are easy to do and actually reduce your costs in maintaining your landscape and garden.  Not only are you increasing the possibility of having a healthier garden, but you are also contributing to the overall health of the planet.  You will be assisting in providing habitat for wildlife, insects and pollinators which in turn helps support human life.  Best of all, whenever we spend time outdoors in the sunlight and fresh air surrounded by plant and wildlife, we are also improving our own mental, emotional and physical well-being.  Happy Gardening!

Master Gardener