Earth Day is right around the corner – a reminder to think about what actions we can take to reduce our impact on the planet and take steps towards a more sustainable and resilient future. And along with Earth Day comes the springtime – offering warmer weather, milder temperatures, and natural moisture from rainfall.
There are many ways to celebrate Earth Day: from upgrading your home to rely less on fossil fuels, upgrading to more energy-efficient appliances, or choosing to limit your waste production and recycle more. But if you’re looking for an Earth Day activity that’s a bit more hands on, it’s the perfect time to delve into sustainable gardening and/or landscaping practices that not only enhance the beauty of our landscapes, but also contribute positively to the environment.
Sustainable landscaping and gardening practices lend themselves to multiple of the goals outlined in Columbia’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. Choosing sustainable practices in your yard or garden can preserve biodiversity, reduce unnecessary consumption and waste, conserve water, and promote overall environmental health. By minimizing chemical inputs, conserving resources, and creating habitat for local wildlife and pollinators, sustainable gardens contribute to overall resilience and sustainability in Columbia.
- Choose Native Plants: Native plants are adapted to local climate and soil conditions, requiring less water and maintenance. They also provide habitat and food for native wildlife, which helps foster a healthy ecosystem in Columbia.
Interested in learning more? Explore a Native Plant Database, Where to Buy Native Plants, and a Native Plant Landscaping Manual - Water Wisely: Without proper attention, landscaping and gardening can serve as large sources for water waste. To ensure you use only the amount of water that is necessary, and reduce unnecessary waste, capture rainwater using rain barrels or cisterns to irrigate your garden. Placing mulch around plants can also help to retain moisture and suppress weeds, reducing the need for additional watering. If your plants need regular water, utilizing drip irrigation systems can deliver water directly to the roots, minimizing evaporation and runoff.
- Compost: Turning organic kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich compost can enrich soil and reduce the need for synthetic fertilizer. Composting not only diverts organic waste from landfills, but it improves soil structure and fertility, promoting healthy plant growth.
- Practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Instead of relying on chemical pesticides, implement IPM strategies such as crop rotation, companion planting, and attracting beneficial insects to control pests naturally. Encourage biodiversity in your garden to create a balanced ecosystem where pests are kept in check.
- Diversify your landscape: Cultivate a diverse range of plants in your garden to support pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. Incorporate a variety of flowering plants with different bloom times to provide continuous food sources throughout the seasons.
The City of Columbia also operates a compost site using yard waste disposed at our Yard Waste Drop-off Centers. The decomposition of these materials occurs over 2-4 months to produce compost that is dark and nutrient-rich. The compost quality and fertility is tested every year by the University of Missouri Soil and Plant Testing Lab. Individuals can purchase bulk compost by the cubic yard year-round by appointment.