I recently read an article online by the Royal Horticultural Society about some interesting and fun ways you can be more sustainable in your garden.
Richmond Garden Club has decided to adapt these ideas for our projects, events and other activities this year.
Some of the ideas seem like common sense but are more focused on how they can make difference in our environment.
1. Plant a tree. Imagine if all gardeners in British Columbia planted and nurtured a medium-sized tree this year. Think of all the carbon we would store!
2. Water the way nature intended. Find ways to collect rainwater and use that to water your gardens rather than out of a tap. Limiting soil erosion by using mulches, arborist’s wood chips, and compost in your gardens will also minimize the amount of water we use.
3. Pull up a paving slab. I love this idea! Pull up one of your paving slabs in a walkway and plant pollinator-friendly perennial flowers in the space.
4. Grow your own cut flowers. According to the article, imported flowers have up to 10 times the carbon footprint compared to home grown flowers.
5. Electrify your garden power tools. Gas-powered garden tools emit high levels of carbon (especially if not maintained properly), along with noise and air pollution.
6. Eat home grown or local produce. It is also important to eat what is in season to help lower the greenhouse gas emissions from transporting fruits and vegetables. By growing your own food, you can eliminate the use of pesticides and add highly nutritious food to your table.
7. Plant for pollinators. Loss of habitat, especially in urban centres, has contributed to the decline of our many pollinators.
Richmond Garden Club planting all kinds of magic
In all Richmond Garden Club projects this year, we are focusing on planting natives, non-natives and some self-seeding annuals.
We have created a wildflower garden in one of our projects, using plants that outcompete grass (inspired by Egan Davis’s presentation on turf management at the BC Council of Garden Clubs General Meeting 2022).
Along with a huge supply of wildflower seeds (that do not include aggressive or invasive plants), we are adding lupins, echinacea, yarrow, poppies, clover, bulbs such as camassia, daffodils and shrubs like flowering currant.
If you are ever visiting Richmond, we would be happy to take you on a tour of Paulik Neighbourhood Park.
We have more than 30 perennial garden beds with a focus on replacing aging and dying plants with pollinator-friendly only.
Many of the hydrangeas in the park are at end of life. We are replacing them with the Gatsby Pink series of mountain hydrangeas, which are pollinator friendly.
To get in touch with Pasacreta and the club, email [email protected].
For more information on Pasacreta’s tips for planet-friendly gardening, visit RHS.org.uk/gardening-for-the -environment/planet-friendly-gardening-tips.
