Every April 22, we celebrate Earth Day! I believe that caring for nature, plants, and the land is integral to our own health and that individual responsibility lies with each of us. Whether it’s a healing walk through the woods, or buying more Earth-friendly products, Here are top 7 ideas that can help to care for our planet:
1. Clean up plastic in your surroundings:
One of the best ways to connect with the Earth is through cleanups. Go on a walk with a trash bag and help to clean up any plastic that you find. Perhaps you know of a nearby ditch that is polluted with trash that needs a spring cleaning. You’ll start to realize that plastic permeates every aspect of our lives. But as the world wakes up to its addiction, just how easy is it to ditch plastic while growing and storing more of our own food? We should use biodegradable bags for daily needs.
2. Support our Pollinators:
Bring native bees and other pollinating creatures to your garden. One way to do this is by selecting the right flowering plants to attract butterflies and other birds in your garden. Focus on native bees (the super-pollinators!) and make a native bee house (much like a bird house!). Or, see how to make a bee-friendly garden habitat including bee-friendly plants.
3. Plant a Tree:
We can plant trees as they capture carbon, cool overheated places, benefit agriculture, support pollinators, reduce the risk of disease transmission, and boost local economies. Did you know that planting one oak tree brings in more insect and bird species than an entire yard of plants? Talk to your local government about planting more trees and native garden beds in public spaces or consider planting your own on your property.
4. Swap out your kitchen and household products:
Let’s talk about the cooking and cleaning products that touch the food we eat as well as our skin. Kitchen vessels should not be made up of plastic or any other harmful material. We should use chemical-free parchment paper for baking, compostable bags made with potato starch, and even vegetable-based inks for their packaging.
5. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle in the Garden:
Caring about yourself and nature means being less wasteful and saving money, too. Buy in bulk when you know that you’ll need a lot of topsoil, mulch, compost, or other materials. This cuts down on plastic bags. Many garden centers will even deliver right to your yard. Also check with your city recycling center or Department of Transportation- they might offer free compost, soil, sand, or other materials.
6. Stop Pesticides and Chemicals in the Garden:
Now most of the gardeners start growing plants without the use of chemicals or pesticides. It is a way that works and even saves money. Much of this is simply about focusing less on the plant and more on the health of the soil that supports the plant. If it’s nutrient-rich with organic matter, plants thrive.
7. Conserve Water:
We waste a lot of water. Avoid overwatering your plants and improve their health by knowing how much your garden really needs. Avoid watering your garden vegetables and plants from overhead, which invites fungal disease. Watering should be at the soil level only. Consider installing a drip irrigation system or hose with irrigation holes that puts the water right into the soil, where you want it.
Let us Celebrate Earth Day by appreciating and respecting the natural world!
