There are so many different things that you could do to make a positive impact and help the Earth, and starting your own garden is one of them! It might seem daunting at first, especially if you don’t have experience with gardening. However, it is easier than it seems and can even be relaxing and calming.
Location can be a constraint, but that doesn’t make it impossible. If you live in a city, there are many places that have community gardens. If not, you can grow one in your home! Starting a herb garden in your home, even though it seems small, makes an impact and can reduce your carbon footprint and waste. Growing a garden is, essentially, a fun and exciting way to help the Earth.
Different locations, growing spaces, and climates impact what you need to know about gardening. Therefore, it is important to research your specific area. Reach out to friends, family, and people you know that could give you advice on growing a garden. If you are completely new to gardening, start small and build up. Learn about which plants grow best, when they grow best, and how to plant them before getting started.
Planting flowers, trees, herbs, and vegetables can add color and vibrance to a garden. You can cater what you plant to where you live. For example, if you live in a dry area, don’t choose a garden that requires enormous amounts of water! Gardening should be both relaxing and a positive thing to do for the environment.
Environmental Benefits of a Garden:
- Food without the waste: Store-bought food often comes with a lot of packaging to be thrown away. Growing your own food allows you to get fresh, homegrown produce without the plastic or packaging.
- Improves air quality: Plants, through photosynthesis, need carbon dioxide, sunlight, and water to release oxygen and improve overall air quality.
- Decreases food mileage: Food shipping takes a lot of carbon emissions, and growing local decreases that factor.
- Connect with nature: Many don’t get the time to be outside, but having a garden tends to allow people to take the time and connect with nature. This is important because it creates empathy for the environment and animals and has other positive effects.
- Transform vacant lots into lively gardens: Many city gardens started as a bare empty lot. Gardens can transform a space and make it more enjoyable to be in.
- Reduce Carbon Footprint: Growing your own food reduces your overall carbon footprint by reducing packaging, shipping, and many other factors in the process.
- Makes for a nicer environment: A city or home garden can improve the space and add elements of greenery and life.
Sources:
BBC. “What Is Photosynthesis?” BBC Bitesize, BBC, 5 Sept. 2019, www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zvrrd2p/articles/zn4sv9q .
Cho, Renee. “State of the Planet.” State of the Planet, 8 June 2011, blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2011/05/26/why-we-must-reconnect-with-nature/ .
DeMuro, Katie. “The Many Benefits of Community Gardens.” Greenleaf Communities, 7 Dec. 2015, greenleafcommunities.org/the-many-benefits-of-community-gardens/.“Planting Seeds for Clean Air | Green America.” Www.Greenamerica.Org, http://www.greenamerica.org/your-home-detoxed/planting-seeds-clean-air. Accessed 27 Sept. 2020.
Patrick, Leigh. “Assorted-Color Flowers,” Pexels, 5 June 2016, http://www.pexels.com/photo/beautiful-blooming-blossom-blur-298246/. Accessed 18 Dec. 2020.
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