If you're wondering what to do about climate change in the garden, there are a few factors to consider. No matter the size of your garden area, there are some preventative measures to take given the potential impact. As this becomes a desirable place for more and more people, proper soil and plant care is crucial. In this way, you not only support plant growth, but at the same time contribute to the preservation of biodiversity and reduce your CO₂ footprint. Here are some steps you can take to help your garden plants thrive as climate conditions change.
What effects does climate change have on the garden?
For most gardeners, climate change is already happeninga central theme, as the consequences significantly affect their yields and habitats. As average temperatures become higher and precipitation patterns continually change,Many plants bloom earlier. This leads to unpredictable growing seasons, whereby even heat-loving varieties such as tomatoes can be damaged by increased temperatures. In addition, the range of invasive, non-native plant and animal species is also increasing. In this way, they exploit weakened ecosystems and displace native varieties.
In addition, climate changes mean that native plant varieties may no longer be able to survive in parts of their historical range. This means that many already established plants could be lost. Another consequence of this domino effect is that climate change in the garden is also disrupting important connections between beneficial organisms such as pollinators, breeding birds, insects, wildlife and plants. This means that bees may arrive too early or too late to pollinate flowers that depend on them. All of these are challenging warning signs that require an appropriate strategic approach.
Grow a variety of plant varieties and green the garden area
If you want to be strategic in your garden in the fight against climate change, intensive plant cultivation can be of great benefit. Many species of trees and shrubs are proving to be powerful natural weapons against the ever-changing climate. This is because trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. In addition, the risk of flooding can be reduced by having plants prevent rainwater from flowing away. In addition, it helpsCultivation of climbing plantson house facades to cool them in hot weather and reduce heating costs. Another environmentally friendly way to capture exhaust gases or fine dust particles is to grow hedges in the garden.
When it comes to plant diversity and greenery, growing different types of plants and lawns can make your garden more resilient. This allows a large proportion of your garden plants to continue to thrive during extreme weather conditions such as drought, drought or excessive rainfall. As also written above, beneficial insects are also suffering from climate change in the garden, which could lead you to grow more plants with different flowering times for pollinators.
Try alternative planting methods and garden more energy-efficiently in the face of climate change
Similar to the example with climbing plants, green roofs can also contribute to energy efficiency through their cooling effect at high temperatures and their ability to insulate when it is cold. So by considering alternative growing locations, you can save on energy costs and make gardening easier with new technologies. You can also reduce the use of gasoline-powered garden tools by using manually operated garden tools instead of lawn mowers and leaf blowers. Even if you rent garden tools, this would be a much more eco-friendly option and you can also opt for corded power tools.
Additionally, you can reduce water consumption in the garden as climate change approaches, which is particularly important as heatwaves and droughts increase. For example, using rain barrels is a sustainable and environmentally friendly option. This also reduces the burden on drains during rainfall, while saving water during periods of drought. Alternatives also include mulching, as well as adjusting your watering schedule and using drip irrigation. Applying mulch can also supply the garden soil with nutrients and prevent the use of chemical fertilizers.
Use composted kitchen or garden waste instead of fertilizer
Composting biological waste reduces your carbon footprint, which would also significantly reduce methane, a potent greenhouse gas. This also has many benefits for your garden soil, as compost is an excellent source of nutrients and can effectively replace chemical fertilizers. When you make your own compost at home and treat the garden soil with it, its structure improves, which promotes plant growth in a natural way. In addition, the soil can also store more carbon and reduce CO₂ emissions on a global scale.
Defy climate change in the garden through recycling and organic products
Reusing old materials when designing your garden can significantly reduce your resource consumption. Try using DIY projects to transform useless items into practical features for your garden wherever possible. Additionally, by recycling household materials and seasonal items, you can create new, homemade tools to suit your needs. In addition to composting kitchen or garden waste, reusing plastic, glass and metals is an equally important step in the fight against climate change in the garden.
Using organic fertilizers or homemade pest control products with a low carbon footprint can also help. When you combine appropriate biosecurity measures with regular and thoughtful plant and garden care, you minimize the spread of pests and diseases in an environmentally friendly way. It is also important to order plants from certified suppliers and to grow less exotic varieties to prevent further plant diseases and pests.
