As the climate crisis continues to impact our lives with hotter summers, drought, and unpredictable weather, how can home gardeners adapt to the changing planet and have a positive effect on the environment? We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite eco-friendly gardening titles that will help gardeners abide by three simple rules for growing a planet-friendly garden.
1. Use Less Water
Tending to plants means tending to water. The EPA estimates that over 50% of our household outdoor water usage is wasted, which is a difficult statistic to swallow as water becomes an increasingly precious resource. Conserving water is critical to growing a thriving, sustainable garden. In Waterwise Gardening, author Richard Restuccia provides easy-to-use techniques for irrigation control along with guides on how to identify and address overwatering and plant recommendations for dry climates.
Keeping a drier garden doesn’t have to mean skimping on style. In Dry Gardens, landscape designer Daniel Nolan showcases 25 luxurious desert gardenscapes which are light on water but big on natural beauty. From pocket gardens to vineyards to living green walls, Dry Gardens proves that inspiration has no geographic boundaries.
2. Plant Mindfully
Pest control chemicals, overly thirsty crops, and monoculture gardens are a recipe for climate disaster. Take a page from Mother Nature’s playbook and embrace biodiversity along with the natural rhythm of the seasons to boost the health of any garden. For garden-to-table growers, The Permaculture Garden is a must-have guide for using sustainable methods to maximize harvests all year round. Gardeners can learn how to build resilience in their crops, cultivate healthy soil, and take a sustainable approach to water conservation, composting, pest control, and more.
3. Think of the Bees
Pollinators make the world go round. Keeping a garden with plants that bees, butterflies, and birds love can do a world of good and create positive impacts that reach far beyond your garden walls. In How to Attract Wildlife to Your Garden, Dan Rouse provides practical advice for rewilding the home garden, with pollinator-friendly plant recommendations and step-by-step projects for creating safe havens for visiting critters. With the global pollinator population experiencing a steep decline, it’s more important than ever to make sure that our gardens are also a home for the species that keep our planet green.
Explore these and more of our top sustainable gardening picks down below!
