Grow Green, Fight Climate Change
Your garden can be more than just a beautiful space. It can be a powerful tool in the fight against climate change! Here's how:
Carbon Capture: Plants absorb carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas, and release oxygen. The more plants you grow, the more carbon you're helping to remove from the atmosphere.
Urban Heat Island Effect: Cities tend to be hotter than surrounding areas. Planting trees and shrubs helps cool the air through shade and evaporation.
Habitat Creation: Native plants provide food and shelter for pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. These creatures are vital to our ecosystem and food production.
Water Conservation: Wise gardening practices like using drought-tolerant plants and mulch can significantly reduce water usage.
Gardening Green in Orange County
Plant Native Species: Native plants thrive in our climate and require less water and maintenance. They also support local wildlife.
Embrace Drought-Tolerant Plants: Many beautiful plants flourish with less water. Research California-friendly plants suitable for our region.
Compost: Kitchen scraps and yard waste can be transformed into nutrient-rich compost to feed your plants and reduce landfill waste.
Mulch: A layer of mulch helps retain moisture in the soil, reducing watering needs and suppressing weeds.
Create a Rain Garden: Capture rainwater runoff from your roof or gutters to nourish your plants and reduce stormwater burden.
Gardening Resources
UC Master Gardeners of Orange County: This UC Cooperative Extension program offers free gardening advice, classes, and plant sales specifically for our region https://mgorange.ucanr.edu/.
The Theodore Payne Foundation: Dedicated to the preservation of California native plants, they offer resources, classes, and native plant sales https://theodorepayne.org/visit/hours-and-directions/.
California Friendly Plants: A database of water-efficient plants that thrive in California's climate https://www.cafriendlyplants.watersavingplants.com/