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The Gardener’s Contribution

One look at our home and it’s obvious we have a passion for greening the world. Green spaces can be city parks and boulevards, but also include community garden plots, shade-producing plantings near buildings, and green roofs. You can even grow vines that will flourish, produce food, and shade sun-drenched areas such as large windows, decks and patios, walkways, and entryways. And let’s not forget to also mention the water gardens, orchards and green roofs.

When we bought our first home, a fixer-upper, we turned that abused former rental into a little green cabin oasis filled with trees, shrubs, flowers, and food-producing gardens. He was featured in a small local magazine and also in the local newspaper at the time. That was 11 years ago. We have since done the same thing with our property here as well, totally changing this house and property to the point where it is no longer recognizable to people who rented here a dozen years ago. It was exciting that our certified wildlife habitat, bee-friendly property, was featured in I Love Creston magazine a few years ago.

If you do a search online, you’ll find that we’re so passionate about it that we’ve written countless articles, hosted many dozens of radio broadcasts on the subject, been invited to do interviews sharing our advice, and more. And through all of this, hoping to have inspired others to green their spaces as well.

Plants do more for us than feed us and cool our homes. Evergreen shrubs, plants and trees help mitigate climate change by absorbing pollutants like carbon dioxide and nitrous oxides, releasing clean oxygen into the air. They will also filter dust from busy roads and reduce soil erosion on farmland. They reduce UV-B rays (which cause skin cancer) and keep our vehicles from getting too hot in the summer. They protect the soil by preventing water erosion and compaction, reducing flooding, and actually creating soil throughout their life cycles.

They will also help cool the air by releasing water vapor through their leaves, protecting the plants around them from dehydration. Plants can deaden noise, reduce heating and cooling costs for our homes, and improve the neighborhood. They attract pollinators and provide a habitat for numerous types of wild creatures, from insects to birds.

Did you know that communities with lots of trees and green spaces actually have less crime? Children are also less obese in these areas, because they play and participate in outdoor community group events. Plants also provide us with food annually, especially trees and perennials that produce crops of fruits and nuts annually. Gardens can help create stronger neighborhoods, as we are more likely to connect and share bountiful harvests.

Giving gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, special holidays really hits a tight budget. By sharing ready meals, natural products, flower bouquets or preserves (jams, jellies, syrups, wines, dried herbs) made from the garden, you can greatly reduce or even eliminate the costs of giving gifts.

Here, we have noticed time and time again, people walking in pairs, in family groups, alone, stopping to enjoy the experience of witnessing a busy bee, a lazy butterfly dancing on the leaves, a happy bird singing…the leaves turning and swaying in the breeze…the soothing shade that gives people and their dogs a respite from the summer heat. Children squeal with delight at the sights and seniors love to stop and chat, share memories and tell us about other amazing gardens they’ve seen on their walks. Neighbors stop as they pass and come over to comment or ask questions.

There are many benefits to even the smallest green space: a balcony garden, a planter area out front, a terraced wall garden… they all contribute to making the world a better place. Gardeners, however, benefit the most from their protected homes, reduced energy costs, improved land value, and freezers and cupboards stocked each year with the food they produce. Herbs, for example, can be very expensive and can be stored frozen or dehydrated for more than a year. Just a few pots on the front step can produce all the herbs you can use; if they are very happy, you will also have something to share.

For those of you who want to learn how to use your backyard crops, or want to take advantage of peak harvest deals from local farmers, check out our new cookbook! – From One Small Garden – Over 300 delicious and nutritious recipes are now available on Amazon!