How to create a sustainable garden in mountainous areas?

Learn with Jorge Solana Aguirre, How to Create a Sustainable Garden in Mountainous Areas?, where he discusses strategies for creating such gardens by exploring ecological practices that take advantage of the unique conditions of these environments, optimizing the use of natural resources, and promoting local biodiversity.

The sustainable vision for creating gardening in mountainous areas: their diverse climates and unique ecosystems present challenges as opportunities for those interested in creating a sustainable green space. Understanding the existence of extreme climatic conditions, vast eroded soils with few nutrients, and irregular precipitation can make planting difficult. Adopting environmentally friendly gardening practices allows for maximum use of the natural environment. Creating a sustainable garden in the mountains not only benefits local biodiversity, but it can also contribute to water conservation and the ecological balance of the areas being intervened.

Analysis and Adaptation of the local climate

The first stage in designing and creating a sustainable garden in mountainous areas is to understand the specific climate of the region. Mountains can have extreme temperature variations, either very cold or very hot.

Importance of selecting native plants adapted to the mountainous climat

Native species are often more adaptable and resistant to local conditions, requiring fewer resources to survive. For example, plants like lavender, sage, rosemary, certain groundcover species, various grasses, cacti, agave, and medium-sized endemic trees are excellent options for gardens in dry, rocky climates. Additionally, native plants provide habitats for local fauna such as birds and butterflies, promoting pollination and biodiversity.

Mariposas monarca / Monarch butterflies
Fotografía / Photography: Janet Rentería via Flickr

Efficient Water Use

In creating a sustainable garden, it is essential to implement strategies that optimize sustainable rainwater recovery: installing rainwater harvesting systems is an excellent way to reduce reliance on artificial irrigation. Additionally, appropriate planting in designated green areas during the rainy season and reusing water reserves during dry periods are key.

Watering advantages with drip irrigation: A system like drip irrigation ensures that water reaches plant roots directly, minimizing water evaporation.

Riego por goteo / Drip irrigation
Fotografía / Photography: Flickr

Healthy Soils

Working the soil is important by aerating it and loosening it to allow water and nutrients to reach their destination. Integrating organic substrates and textures such as volcanic stone, sand, clay, black soil, or tree bark helps retain moisture, prevent evaporation, and regulate soil temperature, creating a more favorable environment for roots and preventing the growth of wild grasses.

Fertilizers and Substratess 

Introducing fertilizers based on manure, which contain essential nutrients (such as nitrogen), is crucial for root development and soil stability.

Procesos de construcción / Construction processes
Fotografía / Photography: Cortesía de autor / Courtesy of the author

Avoiding Chemicals

In a sustainable garden, the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and other chemicals should be avoided. These products pollute the soil, air, and vegetation, especially edible plants like fruit trees, and can contaminate groundwater, wells, etc. Moreover, they damage native wildlife and disrupt the ecosystem’s balance.

Biological Control

Instead of pesticides, consider using natural pest predators, such as beneficial insects (like ladybugs for aphid control) or natural predators, or organic products to repel certain fungi, bacteria, insects, and parasites like apple cider vinegar, cane alcohol, garlic (which contains sulfur), baking soda, vegetable oils, etc.

Use only organic fertilizers: Using organic fertilizers, such as compost, well-decomposed manure, or worm humus, improves soil quality without harming the environment.

Humus de lombriz / Worm humus
Fotografía / Photography: Pexels

Promoting Biodiversity

The main goal of a sustainable mountain garden should be to create a refuge for local biodiversity.

Plant pollinator-friendly plants: Including plants that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators is essential. Native flowers, especially those that bloom at different times of the year, offer food and shelter to these essential insects.

Sustainable Materials and Energy

The design of a sustainable garden should also consider the efficient use of resources and minimizing environmental impact. When selecting materials for paths, fences, and other garden structures, opt for local and natural options, such as stone or recycled wood.

Creating a sustainable garden in mountainous areas involves a holistic approach that respects natural conditions and promotes ecosystem health. From selecting native plants to optimizing water use and reducing erosion, each action contributes to a more balanced and resilient environment. A sustainable mountain garden requires aesthetic design, volume, verticality, symmetry, geometry, plant and non-plant textures, colors, and sizes. 

Creating a sustainable garden in mountainous areas involves a holistic approach that respects natural conditions and promotes ecosystem health.

Utilización de madera para crear una cerca / Using wood to create a fence
Fotografía / Photography: Ricardo Feinstein via flickr

Creating a sustainable garden project requires careful management of all elements, a clear vision for positioning them in the right zones, botanical knowledge, and a natural talent for balancing each element such as trees, decorative textures, large rocks, and plants. Each plant must be placed in its exact space, without overcrowding the area, and without affecting the overall view, creating a garden that flows with autonomy.