My mom has been an avid gardener for years, but I never really thought about how much she was doing for the environment until I went away to college and learned more about eco-systems and got involved in some pro-green organizations.

How you garden can have a vast effect on your local eco-system. There are five steps to follow to the creation of a gorgeous, environmentally-friendly landscape.

1. Be picky about which types of flowers you plant

Most people plan their gardens solely by what they think will be prettiest. But if you put some thought into choosing plants that are native to your area and that serve a useful purpose, your yard can help sustain a local bird and butterfly population.

For example, my mom maintains butterfly bushes that attract tiger swallowtails (above), which happen to be the Virginia state insect. She also plants milkweed to attract monarch butterflies.

2. Plant vegetables and herbs that you can use in meals

Vegetable gardens aren't very glamorous, although they've been gaining ground (literally) with the green movement. They can take a lot of work, what with planting, fertilizing, tying up weight-bearing vines, pest control, and harvesting.

The important thing is to start small. Start with things you like to eat and that are easy to grow. Tomatoes, for instance, are super-easy. Basil is also a snap to grow and tastes great in store-bought spaghetti sauces. If you decide that you like this aspect of gardening, you can always expand your repertoire.

3. Try to avoid toxic pesticides and fertilizers

Is that green green chemically-treated lawn really that much prettier than a lawn with buttercups and creeping charlie interspersed? I argue that an untreated lawn has more character, and it's definitely kinder on the environment, especially your local water supply.

For your garden, try to research and use natural fertilizers and pest-controls instead of chemically-based toxic ones. For example, ladybugs will eat aphids, and covered tubs of beer will kill slugs. If you do use predator insects to nosh away the pests, be sure that they're native and non-invasive species.

As for feeding your beautiful garden, that brings us to section 4, compost.

4. Fertilize your garden with compost and reduce landfill waste

Compost is a surprisingly rewarding facet of gardening. You can stick so much junk in your compost bin: banana peels, apple cores, carrot peelings, coffee grounds, dead leaves, egg shells, and on and on. Just be sure not to put any meat or bones in there - it will stink to high heaven and meat in your bin will also attract rats and raccoons. You don't want to deal with that!

The best method is to leave a small container in the house in which to collect organic waste (small is best so that it doesn't have time to get smelly before it gets full and you have to take it out). The large barrel is kept outside. Over time, the compression and lack of oxygen will transform all the material at the bottom into beautiful, nutrient-rich dirt, and it's much more pleasant to deal with than manure! You can use that dirt to fertilize your plants that need a little TLC.

5. Enjoy your frickin' sweet garden

Whew, that was a long one. What do you guys think? Are you brave enough to get started with a couple flower pots and see how it goes? If you're still under your parents' roof, do you think you can get them on board? Hit me up on the comments section below!