Celebrating National Gardening Day: Why native plants are important
April 14 is National Gardening Day, a day that celebrates gardening and encourages people to get outside and start planting. Gardens have many benefits both for human health and the environment. Gardening is a great form of exercise; it can improve brain function, and being outside increases vitamin D and serotonin production. Gardening is also a way to manage eco-anxiety, as you are actively working to mitigate climate change.
In regards to the environment, gardens decrease carbon dioxide, prevent soil erosion, protect wildlife and pollinators, provide habitat for biodiversity, and increase oxygen. Gardening also promotes sustainable practices such as composting and reducing food waste. By planting fruits, vegetables and herbs, gardening can help provide healthy food options to your local community. Community gardens also bring people together and teach them about their local environments.
The types of plants you plant in your garden will have an impact on your local environment. Native plants, which are plants that have occurred naturally in a particular region, ecosystem or habitat without human introduction, are very important in our mission to protect the environment. Native plants have evolved to live in your local climate, soil types, and with the animals in your region.
Native plants have several benefits. Because native plants adapt to your local environmental conditions, they are very low maintenance and require less water than non-native plants. Native plants are resistant to local pests, which means they require little to no fertilizers or pesticides and less pruning. Because of their deep root systems, native plants can also prevent run-off and keep soil from being compacted,
By swapping your lawn for a garden of native plants, you will eliminate the need for mowers and other equipment, which will decrease pollution (air and noise).
Native plants also provide a habitat for local wildlife. Pollinators like butterflies and moths, native bees and bats depend on specific native plants. Native plants also provide shelter for many animals and are food sources for all forms of local wildlife.
Planting native plants in your garden will provide you with a rainbow of colours at all times of the growing season. Planting native plants also leaves less room for invasive plants. While invasive or non-native plants are pretty, they can escape into the wild and outcompete natives, transforming a diverse ecosystem into an invasive monoculture. By planting native plants, you allow your natural and local environment to thrive.
Native plants have adapted to grow in all kinds of conditions; what plants will suit you will depend on where you live. The National Wildlife Federation has a useful native plant finder which helps you find the native plants that will be good for your area.
National Gardening Day allows us to celebrate the plants that make up our garden and the benefits that come with gardening. Here are a few ways you can celebrate the day:
- Sign up for a gardening course or join a community garden.
- Visit your local garden centre.
- Find the right book, guide, or resources about how to start and maintain a garden.
- Organize a seed and perennial plant swap.
- Celebrate a special gardener by getting them a card, seeds or book to help them improve their gardening skills or experience.
- Teach a child to garden – it is a good way to teach them responsibility, patience and nurturing.
No matter how big or small your space is or if you only have a tiny balcony, the efforts you put into creating a garden will significantly benefit your health and our environment. Every effort and every plant counts.
