Johannesburg - It’s Green Office Week (22 to 26 April) this week - following on from Earth Day on Monday, April 21.
Now is the time to work in harmony with nature by establishing a healthy, economical and well-balanced garden and office environment.
Achieve this by using available natural resources, conserving water, recycling and planting trees. Trees reduce soil erosion and slow down water run-off. They improve air quality, provide a habitat for wildlife, and shade our homes, streets and office buildings.
Instead of filling landfills, invest in a shredder to convert garden waste into mulch that is spread around plants to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, limit evaporation and break down in time to increase soil fertility.
Grow your own
Droughts and floods affect food prices so it makes sense to grow your own healthy, nutritious and pesticide-free vegetables and herbs. The smallest garden or balcony can find space for a couple of pots, a hanging basket or a window box.
A healthy soil that is rich in organic matter, natural minerals, microbial activity and earthworms is the first and most important step to having a beautiful and productive garden. Make your own compost by layering green (wet) material such as vegetable peelings and grass, with brown (dry) material from newspapers, cardboard and other biodegradable material.
Trench composting is suitable for growing vegetables. Dig a trench to a depth of two to three spades, placing soil to one side. Place a thick layer of wet newspaper in the bottom of the trench and fill with plant material, alternating with layers of soil. Plant vegetables in the filled trench.
Eco-friendly landscaping
The traditional garden can become more eco-friendly by growing water-wise and indigenous plants. No chemicals or harmful sprays are used, ensuring a safe habitat for wildlife. Grasses play an important part in this garden, introducing movement and sound, as well as main-taining an ecosystem that attracts butterflies and bees, insects and birds.
Large areas of lawn can be replaced with less thirsty alternatives of gravel, paving, bark mulch or groundcovers. Before spreading gravel or laying paving, level the area and lay down a weed-suppressing membrane, leaving spaces for plants to soften these areas and allow for rain run-off.
Take advantage of a particular habitat, whether a slope or a depression. Plants suitable for growing in low-lying places include tree ferns, arum, aristea, sedge, crinum lily, wild iris (dietes), moraea, dwarf glory bush (Dissotis canescens) and red hot poker (Kniphofia).
Banks are often low in fertility, making them an ideal place for plants that do not need rich soil but need excellent drainage, such as agapanthus, aloe, lion’s ear (Leonotis leonurus), misty plume bush (Tetradenia riparia), Plumbago auriculata, protea and leucospermum.
A slight slope is perfect for arctotis, gazania, ivy geranium, rosemary and mesembryanthemum. On steep banks, bougainvillea, plumbago and star jasmine can be grown.
Use water wisely
A rain gauge positioned away from trees will accurately measure rain. Grow plants that need regular watering near the house and group plants with similar needs of sun, shade and water.
The deeper the roots of a plant, the deeper water must sink to reach them. Water thoroughly once or twice a week rather than a daily sprinkling, as this only encourages surface rooting.
Store rainwater run-off from roofs in tanks. These come in different shapes and sizes making them suitable for all gardens.
Invest in a grey-water system where household water is re-used in the garden. Grey water comes from baths, showers and wash-basins, as well as washing machines that use biodegradable soap. Kitchen water is not suitable as this contains fats.
Green Office Week
Plant trees, and cover exterior walls with vertical planting in the workplace. These “green” walls improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, protecting buildings from cold and reducing the need for air-conditioning.
Plants suitable for vertical gardens include succulents, groundcovers, climbers, herbs, salad greens, vegetables and fruits.
In an open-plan office, tall potted plants of bamboo or ficus can be used as living screens. Sanseveria (mother-in-law’s tongue) will grow in bright light.
Medium light suits most ferns and foliage plants such as calathea and maranta, while aglaonema, the peace lily (spathiphyllum)and aspidistra will grow in low light.
TIPS
* Spring bulbs and annuals should be planted out by the end of the month. Plant pansies and snapdragons in full sun and rich, well-drained soil, and mimulus and cinerarias in filtered sun. Plant a wide border of pansies along paths, in bold groups in the front of borders, and in containers. Plants will respond well to regular watering and fortnightly feeding with a liquid fertiliser.
* One of the toughest indoor plants that is low-maintenance and requires the least light is the aspidistra, a favourite parlour plant of Victorians. Indirect light suits peace lilies (spathiphyllum) with white arum-like spathes and dark green lanceolate foliage. The lady palm (Raphis excelsa) is multi-stemmed and slow-growing, making it ideal for indoors.
* Rejuvenate soil in the vegetable patch by incorporating generous amounts of compost. Plant beet, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, celery, cauliflower, leek, peas, Swiss chard and turnip.
* Clean the air in your office with indoor plants. A single plant can purify a 10m2 of air. Flowering plants such as the chrysanthemum have a high metabolic rate and are able to remove toxic molecules quickly. Foliage plants tend to work slower, but their permanency makes them better suited to interior environments. - Saturday Star