Go Greener in the Garden to Reduce Global Warming

And as I step out into the sunshine this spring after our long and stormy winter, I will be eyeing my garden with an eco-friendly checklist:

Compost, Compost Everywhere
There is no better bargain! The composted leaves of one large tree can be worth as much as $50 of fertilizer and humus, with twice the minerals of manure. Committing to composting reduces household garbage by 30 per cent.

Mulch Appreciated

A layer of chopped leaves, lawn clippings, straw or other mulch will reduce weeds, cool the soil and retain moisture. Maximize the benefits of a mulch layer by keeping it to 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 in.) and leave at least 30 cm (1 ft.) between mulch and tree trunks. Leaving your grass clippings to break down on your lawn will contribute 55 kg (120 lbs.) of both nitrogen and potassium and 17 kg (37 lbs.) of phosphate in just one season.

Tree Spree
Plant more trees! A single tree will absorb a ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime while adding oxygen, sheltering birds and securing soil from erosion. Evergreens on the north and west sides of the house shield it from winter’s onslaught, while deciduous trees south and east offer shade from summer sun. The tireless tree can transpire more than 360 L (80 gal.) of water per day and do the work of five air conditioners running 20 hours a day.

Water Tight
Canadians are among the highest per-capita users of water and this increases by half again during the summer months, due mostly to watering our gardens. This year will see my family directing downspouts into rain barrels, setting up more soaker hoses and planting a drought-tolerant garden. Our infrequent waterings will be thorough and in the early-morning hours, minimizing evaporation and encouraging plants to root down deep.

Edibles Everywhere
An asparagus hedge, pots of perennial herbs and a row of espaliered fruit trees have been among my favourite garden “ornamentals.” These incredible edibles reduce the need to run to the store. When a typical North American meal travels 2,000 km (1,250 mi.) from farm to table and it is often a struggle to find local produce, even growing a few beans and a container or two of carrots (see page 25) can make a difference.

Go Wild
Growing native plants will help to sustain and shelter local wildlife (see page 20). Add pools of water and boggy spots to support avian and amphibian populations.

Grow Organic
Eliminate the use of chemical pesticides, and boost the health of your soil and your family. Choose plants to attract beneficial insects and birds, and put the right plant in the right place.

Power Down
Opting for a push mower and manual garden tools will reduce emissions and increase your physical fitness. An electric mower is a better bet than gas-powered, and less lawn will help too.

Pot Around
Remember the 3 Rs when it comes to plastic pots. If you have more than you can use, pass them along or seek out the increasing number of recycle depots that will accept them.

Child Centred
Agrarian advocate Wendell Berry says it best: “Teaching children about the natural world should be treated as one of the most important events in their lives.” Giving children their own garden will connect them to the earth and teach them to treasure the nature that surrounds them.

My Clothing Line
Among the laundry list of things to do in my yard will be to use my clothesline. Visiting
Europe years ago and traipsing past laundry hanging from patios, flapping in garden courtyards and dangling over the canals of Venice, I decided that if the inhabitants of the world’s most stunning cities can hang their clothes out to dry, then so can I. Air-drying laundry six months a year can reduce a family’s carbon-dioxide output by more than 300 kg (700 lbs.) annually, and as a bonus you get to smell your flowers while you hang up your sheets.

Gardening is the number-one leisure activity in Canada, and the plants we grow improve the air we breathe and brighten the lives we lead. Think of the difference we can make if we all go a little greener to reduce global warming.