While gardening might seem like an eco-friendly pastime, certain tasks, such as cutting lawns or using peat-based composts and even buying plants, consume an abundance of natural resources. These will all contribute to gardening's carbon footprint.
However, you don't need to grow your garden in a heavily resource-based manner. We've listed 8 ways you can reduce the impact of your garden by making minor modifications to the way you garden and also ways to combat climate change too, as garden can reduce our carbon footprint.
Create a pondPonds are already known to enhance the diversity of garden plants and prevent flooding by slowing how much water flows during heavy rains. Did you realize that they can also conserve carbon? A recent study suggests that the sediments that are accumulating in the bottom of these ponds could store the most carbon in a square centimeter for a year than similar areas of woodland or grassland.
Plant an evergreen treeIt is believed that there are 27 million gardens across the UK. If there were one additional tree planted in each of the countries, it would result in 27 million additional trees throughout the nation, with no farms being harmed. It's generally accepted that planting trees can make significant changes to the climate, and some of them absorb as much as four tons of carbon dioxide in 20 years.
Create compostRecycling garden waste and food waste prevents it from going to the garbage or being burned. In landfills, biodegradable waste is broken down anaerobically, releasing methane, which is a greenhouse gas that is believed to be 70 times more damaging than carbon dioxide. By composting the waste instead, you can cut down on the production of this dangerous greenhouse gas. Additionally, composting your waste can be the most beneficial fertilizer for the soil.
Make use of hand toolsPower tools are engineered to make gardening faster and more efficient. However, they can leave huge carbon footprints, especially when they're powered. Think about swapping your gasoline mower for one powered by electricity and using hand tools instead of leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, and trimmers. You'll spend longer doing these tasks. However, you might find that you prefer to do things slowly and in a quiet manner. Gardening is supposed to be relaxing, after all!
Plant more treesThe plants all absorb carbon dioxide, and the greater number of plants you have, the more carbon dioxide gets absorbed. Plant climbing plants, such as Ivy, on fences and walls, as well as trees wherever you can. Additionally, planting plants on the outside of your home can aid in regulating temperatures, keeping you warm in the winter months and cooler in the summer (think that they are nature's air conditioner). This could reduce the need for central air conditioners and heating as well as reduce the carbon footprint of your home.
Grow plants from seedsPot-grown plants are typically planted in nurseries that are large, where they're exposed to heat and lighting before being transported by trucks to garden centers throughout the nation. The majority of them are planted using peat. However, growing from seeds reduces the huge transport costs and you can plant them at the appropriate time of the season (therefore, eliminating the need for artificial lighting and heat) and also use non-peat compost. To reduce the carbon footprint of your garden, purchase seeds from local groupings for gardening and swaps, as well as save seeds from your personal.
Make your own foodAll food products have a carbon footprint that is linked to the amount of land, water, and other resources required to make the food item and how many food miles' are required for the transportation of food from farm to plate. Producing the food you eat, specifically plants like peppers, tomatoes, and aubergines, will drastically reduce the food miles associated with your meals and consequently reduce your carbon footprint. Food grown at home is more delicious and more nutritious than the food that you purchase from stores as well.
Create your own mulchMulching your soil regularly can help keep moisture in as well as feed plants and allow healthy fungi and bacteria to develop, which results in healthier plants. It is possible to purchase ready-made mulches like horse manure or bark chips; however, these bags weigh a lot and are shipped all over the world, which leaves an enormous carbon footprint. Create your own mulch with compost, chopped prunings, or leaf mold. You can also visit local stables to get your manure from horses that have been grazing on pastures.
The gardens we have can store massive quantities of carbon and also help alleviate some of the impacts of climate change, such as the risk of flooding, the urban heat island effect, and the destruction of biodiversity. The more you create in your garden, the better for the planet it will be. We are all able to make a difference.