{"id":30238,"date":"2026-07-01T14:21:05","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T21:21:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/jefferson\/?page_id=30238"},"modified":"2026-07-01T14:24:37","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T21:24:37","slug":"tip-sheet-14-climate-friendly-gardening","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/jefferson\/mg-home\/tip-sheet-14-climate-friendly-gardening\/","title":{"rendered":"Tip Sheet #14: Climate-Friendly Gardening"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Greenhouse gases in our atmosphere have contributed to a warmer world. Most scientists agree we can mitigate the most harmful effects of climate change\u2014poor human health, loss of plant and animal species and the increase of heatwaves, droughts, crop failures, fires and floods\u2014if we reduce our carbon dioxide emissions to net-zero. We can do this by transitioning to clean energy, improving energy efficiency, and adopting sustainable gardening practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Store Carbon in Garden Soils and Plants<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gardeners can help reverse the accumulation of heat-trapping gases by growing plants and building healthy soils. How? Plants use the sun\u2019s energy to pull carbon dioxide out of the air. They use it to make the sugar glucose needed for plant growth. Their roots secrete glucose and other carbon compounds to feed soil microbes that enhance plant health. The soil microbes also feast on decomposing plants and animal waste. As soil microbes die, their remains accumulate to create humus, the dark organic matter responsible for soil fertility. The carbon-rich humus in fertile soils keeps carbon out of the atmosphere for many years. Better management of our soils can capture and remove greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.

Every gardener can help. Climate friendly gardening on the 136 million acres of residential land in the U.S. can make a considerable difference in mitigating climate change. The following gardening techniques help store carbon in soils and in plants and trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use Composting, Vermiculture and Biochar<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Home composting helps reduce methane and other greenhouse gases from landfills. Leaves, grass, woody clippings, dead plants and food scraps make excellent compost. Garden compost feeds the soil microbes that sequester carbon and improve soil fertility. You can use compost in your garden as a substitute for synthetic fertilizers, usually at a rate of one-half to three inches of compost per year. Compost also makes excellent mulch and can substitute for peat-based potting or seed-starting mixes. Don\u2019t make it yourself? Some cities collect yard and food waste to turn into commercial compost. Alternately, try vermiculture, the use of a worm bin to turn your food scraps into worm castings. Or consider biochar,<\/a> a charcoal-like residue from the high-temperature firing of dead plants to make biofuels. Soils amended with biochar are better able to sequester carbon, promotes a healthy soil biome,  and retain water and nutrients.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practice No-Till Gardening<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A healthy soil microbial community stores large amounts of carbon in the soil. Soil bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi are adept at making minerals and other nutrients more available to plants.Avoid practices that disrupt the vital soil community; do as little digging or tilling as possible. Layer organic matter such as mulches or compost on top rather than turning it into the soil.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n

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More Information<\/h2>\n\n\n