What does closing the loop gardening mean?
In closed-loop gardening, you create systems that cycle endlessly without any external inputs, aside from those provided by nature, such as sunlight and rain, along with your time and effort. Closed-loop gardens do not require materials, seeds, or other items to maintain the system.
These systems should be at the heart of every sustainable garden. Creating them can be challenging at times, and you may have only mastered certain aspects of a closed-loop system, while achieving 100% success may not happen overnight, making steady progress in this direction means you are moving forward sustainably.
Reducing consumption is a key goal of sustainability. It not only saves you money but also lowers your household’s carbon footprint. Additionally, it helps reduce reliance on finite, fragile and environmentally damaging systems.
The Benefits of closing the loop with natural cycles:
- Reduced water consumption: Closed-loop systems recycle and reuse water, minimising the need for additional irrigation.
- Enhanced nutrient cycling: Nutrients from organic matter, compost, and plant residues are continually recycled within the system, providing plants with a steady source of nourishment.
- Minimised waste: Closed-loop systems reduce waste by repurposing organic matter, food scraps, and garden residues for composting or fertilisation.
- Increased sustainability: By reducing reliance on external inputs and incorporating organic practices, closed-loop systems promote sustainable gardening methods.
- Cost savings: Closed-loop systems can save money by reducing the need for purchased fertilisers, water, and waste disposal.
Where to start:
To establish a closed-loop system, focus on these key areas in your garden:
- Water: Assess water needs and implement conservation techniques, such as collecting rainwater and using efficient irrigation systems like drip irrigation.
- Soil: Improve soil health by incorporating compost and organic matter to boost fertility and water retention.
- Fertility: Recycle organic waste through composting to create nutrient-rich soil amendments for your garden.
- Waste management: Minimise waste by composting food scraps, garden trimmings, and other organic materials.
Begin by assessing your garden’s specific needs, such as water requirements, nutrient levels, and waste generation.
Adopt water-saving techniques, integrate composting systems, and create habitats for beneficial insects to encourage natural pest control. Consider adding elements like worm bins or chicken coops to recycle food scraps and produce nutrient-rich compost or manure, further closing the loop in your sustainable garden.
Soil and Fertility: Get Composting
In a closed-loop garden, nothing should go to waste, and nothing should be discarded. Every sustainable garden should incorporate one composting system–often multiple – to effectively manage organic material within the space.
To achieve a truly sustainable, closed-loop system, aim for zero food waste. Make full use of every crop you grow, utilising both primary and secondary yields in your kitchen and around your home. Anything you cannot use should be composted or fed to the chooks, ensuring nutrients are returned to the soil, regardless of the composting methods you choose.
From weeds and grass clippings to hedge pruning’s and dead wood, no natural material should leave your garden. Instead, find ways to repurpose these materials within your space to reduce consumption and help close the loop in your gardening systems.
Start your closed-loop journey today and nurture a more sustainable garden!
