More than a billion people celebrate Earth Day every year, on April 22, many by taking time out of their day to reflect on how their actions impact the planet and maybe performing some small act that helps the planet in some way. Some might get into composting. Some might start recycling for the first time. Others might attend a community clean-up event, picking up litter and trash.
If you both want to celebrate Earth Day and invest a little more time into your home garden this month, good news — you can do both at once, with these eight Earth Day-inspired garden ideas.
1. Start a Pollinator-Friendly Garden
If you’ve yet to come down on what exactly you’ll be planting in your garden this season, make a point to sit down, decide what you’ll be planting, and specifically choose pollinator-friendly plants known to attract bees and butterflies. Pollinators are extremely important, with about a third of all our food relying on pollinators for survival; despite their importance, though, pollinators are on the decline, partially due to declining habitat (via USDA).
Planting a pollinator-friendly garden simply requires planting native, diverse plants that attract and feed these pollinators, such as squash, cucumbers, lavender, rosemary, oregano, basil, and marjoram.
2. Implement Companion Planting
Sometimes, helping the planet is about what you don’t do — like not using pesticides and chemical fertilizers in your garden. So how do you ensure your garden is healthy without these products?
Consider implementing companion planting, or planting beneficial plants next to one another. For example, beans and squash impact the soil in such a way that helps corn grow healthier. Or, if you have a problem with aphids in your vegetable bed, plant garlic, which deters aphids.
3. Use Recycled Materials for Garden Beds and Containers
You could go to the local big-box garden store and spend hundreds of dollars on new planters, containers, and supplies to build a new garden bed — or, you could see what items you have around the house or garage that could be used for garden beds and containers. Turn plastic containers into small planters, and old tires or pallets into garden beds. You’ll both save money and minimize waste and consumption.
4. Plant a Tree
It’s probably one of the most basic ways to celebrate Earth Day. Plant a fruit or nut tree, particularly a native plant that will help pollinators and other wildlife. You’ll benefit from the tree’s produce, shade, and oxygen, while helping your backyard habitat thrive.
5. Go Organic
Put a little extra effort this year into choosing all-organic gardening products that will protect the soil (and increase the quality of your food). Look for organic compost and pest control methods, as well as organic heirloom seeds.
6. Compost Kitchen Scraps
Composting is easier than you think! Start a compost bin for all your veggie scraps, eggshells, and coffee grounds, and then use it to infuse your soil with nutrients, while also reducing the amount of household trash you produce each week.
7. Save Water
Could you possibly water your garden without standing over it with a garden hose for 30 minutes every evening? Save on water waste by using drip irrigation, soaker hoses, or ollas.
8. Grow From Seed
Lastly, it’s no secret that starting a garden from seedlings comes with a lot of plastic waste. Reduce this waste and start your garden from seeds.
