{"id":1313,"date":"2024-09-11T16:05:02","date_gmt":"2024-09-11T23:05:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/?page_id=1313"},"modified":"2025-06-20T14:35:13","modified_gmt":"2025-06-20T21:35:13","slug":"tip-sheet-14","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-14","title":{"rendered":"#14 Climate Friendly Gardening"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wsu-hero wsu-width--full wsu-pattern--wsu-light-radial-left  wsu-herou002du002dsize-xsmall wsu-hero--style-boxed \">\n\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__background\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-image-frame wsu-image-frame--fill\">\n\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2024\/09\/MG-TSP14_Header_Mountains.jpg\"\n\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2024\/09\/MG-TSP14_Header_Mountains.jpg 792w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2024\/09\/MG-TSP14_Header_Mountains.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2024\/09\/MG-TSP14_Header_Mountains.jpg 768w\"\n\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 792px) 100vw, 792px\"\n\t\talt=\"vista with mountains\"\n\t\tstyle=\"object-position: 29% 86%\"\n\t\t\/>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__overlay\">\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__content-wrapper\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__inner-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"wsu-hero__title\">Tip Sheet #14<br>Climate Friendly Gardening<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__caption\">Cultivating plants, people, and communities since 1973<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"wsu-button wsu-button--size-small\" href=\"https:\/\/mastergardener.wsu.edu\/how-to-donate\/\" >\n\t\t\t\t\tSupport the Master Gardener Program\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__content\">\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--single\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n<div class=\"breadcrumbs \" typeof=\"BreadcrumbList\" vocab=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/\"><span property=\"itemListElement\" typeof=\"ListItem\"><a property=\"item\" typeof=\"WebPage\" title=\"Go to WSU Extension.\" href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/\" class=\"main-home\" ><span property=\"name\">WSU Extension<\/span><\/a><meta property=\"position\" content=\"1\"><\/span> &gt; <span property=\"itemListElement\" typeof=\"ListItem\"><a property=\"item\" typeof=\"WebPage\" title=\"Go to King County .\" href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\" class=\"home\" aria-current=\"page\"><span property=\"name\">King County <\/span><\/a><meta property=\"position\" content=\"2\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--sidebar-right\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n<div class=\"wsu-decorator  wsu-decorator--style-block-crimson\" style=\"top:-1.5%;left:-3%;height:35%;width:60%\"><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wsu-overlap wsu-overlap-spotlight  wsu-overlap-spotlight--style-left-middle\">\r\n    <div class=\"wsu-overlap__container\">\r\n        <div class=\"wsu-overlap__column wsu-overlap--overlap-medium\">\r\n            <div class=\"wsu-overlap__column-inner\">\r\n                <div class=\"wsu-overlap-spotlight__image   wsu-notch--medium\">\r\n                    <div class=\"wsu-image-frame wsu-image--ratio-3-4\">\r\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2024\/08\/MG-tip-sheets-cover-pexels-chuck-3728085-683x1024.jpg\"\r\n                        srcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2024\/08\/MG-tip-sheets-cover-pexels-chuck-3728085-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2024\/08\/MG-tip-sheets-cover-pexels-chuck-3728085-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2024\/08\/MG-tip-sheets-cover-pexels-chuck-3728085-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2024\/08\/MG-tip-sheets-cover-pexels-chuck-3728085-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2024\/08\/MG-tip-sheets-cover-pexels-chuck-3728085.jpg 1280w\"\r\n                        sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\"\r\n                        alt=\"Open books with dried flowers and glasses\"\r\n                        style=\"object-position: 50% 50%\"\r\n                        \/>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        <div class=\"wsu-overlap__column wsu-overlap--surface-column wsu-overlap--overlap-medium\">\r\n            <div class=\"wsu-overlap__column-inner\">\r\n                <div class=\"wsu-overlap-spotlight__caption  wsu-dropshadow--medium\">\r\n                    \n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left  wsu-font-size--xlarge wsu-heading--style-marked\">King County Gardening Tip Sheets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left  wsu-font-size--xmedium\">Tip Sheet #14 &#8211; Climate Friendly Gardening<\/h2>\n\n                <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column  wsu-border--color-midnight\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n<article class=\"wsu-card wsu-card--outline-shadow wsu-spacing-top--none wsu-spacing-bottom--none wsu-color-background--gray-5\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-card__content\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"wsu-title wsu-font-size--xxmedium\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMore Information\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wsu-card__content-custom\">\r\n\t\t\t\n    <nav class=\"wsu-navigation-vertical wsu-vertical-menu\">\n        <ul id=\"wsu-site-menu\" class=\"wsu-menu-collapse wsu-menu-collapse--style-vertical\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\">Master Gardeners<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/about\">About<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/educational-outreach\/ask-a-master-gardener\">Ask a Master Gardener<\/a><button aria-label=\"{Open submenu Ask a Master Gardener\" class=\"wsu-menu-collapse--action-toggle\"><\/button>\n<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/educational-outreach\/ask-a-master-gardener\/answer-clinics\">Answer Clinics<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/educational-outreach\">Educational outreach<\/a><button aria-label=\"{Open submenu Educational outreach\" class=\"wsu-menu-collapse--action-toggle\"><\/button>\n<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/educational-outreach\/many-demo-gardens\">Demonstration Gardens<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/educational-outreach\/speakers-bureau\">Speakers Bureau<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/educational-outreach\/youth-gardening\">Youth Garden and Nature Education<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/educational-outreach\/public-gardens\">Public Gardens<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/join-us\">Become a Master Gardener<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\">Gardening Resources<\/a><button aria-label=\"{Open submenu Gardening Resources\" class=\"wsu-menu-collapse--action-toggle\"><\/button>\n<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\">Gardening Tip Sheets<\/a><button aria-label=\"{Open submenu Gardening Tip Sheets\" class=\"wsu-menu-collapse--action-toggle\"><\/button>\n\t<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-1\">#1 Gardening Websites<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-2\">#2 Gardening Publications<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-3\">#3 New to Gardening in Western WA?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-4\">#4 Local Gardening Resources, Events<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-5\">#5 Edible Gardening<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-6\">#6 Container Gardening<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-7\">#7 Growing Tomatoes<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-8\">#8 Growing Herbs<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-9\">#9 Pest and Disease Control<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-10\">#10 Winter Flowering Shrubs<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-11\">#11 Lawns<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-12\">#12 Pollinator Friendly Gardening<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-13\">#13 Additional Gardening Publications<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-14\">#14 Climate Friendly Gardening<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-15\">#15 Houseplants<\/a><\/li>\n\t<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/contact-us\">Contact Us<\/a><button aria-label=\"{Open submenu Contact Us\" class=\"wsu-menu-collapse--action-toggle\"><\/button>\n<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/contact-us\/county-mg-coordinator\">Contact the King County Master Gardener Coordinator<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/contact-us\/speakers-bureau-contact-page\">Speakers Bureau Contact Page<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/contact-us\/ask-a-master-gardener-contact-page\">Ask a Master Gardener Contact Page<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/contact-us\/request-translated-tip-sheets\">Request Translated Tip Sheet(s)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/contact-us\/request-youth-teaching-kit\">Request Youth Teaching Kit<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/contact-us\/request-youth-complex-activities-supplies\">Request Youth Complex Activities Supplies<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/volunteer-portal\">Volunteer Portal<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>    <\/nav>\n\n\t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/article>\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--sidebar-left\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column wsu-item-layoutu002du002dflex-column wsu-color-backgroundu002du002dgray-10\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"792\" height=\"594\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2024\/09\/MG-TS14_ParchedEarth.jpg\" alt=\"parched earth\" class=\"wp-image-1316\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2024\/09\/MG-TS14_ParchedEarth.jpg 792w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2024\/09\/MG-TS14_ParchedEarth-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2024\/09\/MG-TS14_ParchedEarth-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 792px) 100vw, 792px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column wsu-color-backgroundu002du002dgray-5\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<p>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 21 percent of annual greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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 reversing climate change. The following gardening techniques help store carbon in soils and in plants and trees.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-heading--style-marked\">Store Carbon in Garden Soils and Plants<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--sidebar-left\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column wsu-item-layoutu002du002dflex-column wsu-color-backgroundu002du002dgray-10\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column wsu-color-backgroundu002du002dgray-5\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<p>Greenhouse gases in our atmosphere have created a&nbsp;warmer world. Our use of fossil fuels and unsustainable farming and forestry practices have produced an overload of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases. Most scientists agree we can avoid the most harmful effects of climate change\u2014worsening human health, continued loss of plant and animal species and the escalation of heatwaves, droughts, crop failures, fires and floods from superstorms and sea-level rise\u2014if we cut our carbon dioxide emissions to net-zero by 2050. We can do this by transitioning to clean energy, improving energy efficiency, and adopting sustainable use of our lands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Use Composting, Vermiculture and Biochar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>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 want to 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, which makes a wonderful natural fertilizer. Or consider&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/pubs.extension.wsu.edu\/biochar-a-gardeners-primer-home-garden-series\">biochar,<\/a>&nbsp;a charcoal-like residue from the high-temperature firing of dead plants to make biofuels.&nbsp;Soils amended with biochar are better able to sequester carbon and retain water and nutrients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Practice No-Till Gardening<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>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\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Maintain Climate-Friendly Lawn<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Lawns act as net carbon emitters over the long-term, contributing to climate change. They often require large amounts of water, fertilizers and pesticides. The manufacture of fertilizers and pesticides from fossil fuels produces carbon dioxide emissions. Application of synthetic fertilizers generates nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas. To reduce the climate impact, use recommended amounts of fertilizer to establish new lawns followed by decreasing amounts as the lawn ages. Decrease the frequency of watering and mowing, cut the grass higher, and do not bag the clippings. Replacing some lawns areas with the plants described below further reduces greenhouse gas emissions and lowers watering requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Plant Trees and Shrubs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Consider replacing some of your lawn with trees or large shrubs. Their woody structures provide excellent carbon storage over many years.&nbsp;Trees in U.S. urban and community areas store 1.4 billion tons of carbon, and continually take up more than 26 million tons a year.&nbsp;Planting them near buildings creates windbreaks and shade that reduce heating and cooling energy demands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Plant Edibles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Growing your own herbs, fruits and vegetables is a good way to make your garden more climate friendly. Home-grown food increases soil carbon and decreases carbon emissions from food packaging, refrigeration and transportation. Rotating annual crops helps maintain soil microbial health and prevent plant disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Grow Plants for Pollinators<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Bees and other beneficial insects pollinate most plants needed to curtail climate change. Growing flowering plants helps attract and sustain declining bee populations; consider lavender, mint, borage, sage, thyme, oregano, onion, sunflower and rose. Use caution with insecticides, particularly neonicotinoids, that kill bees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Plant Cover Crops, Including Nitrogen-Fixers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep soil covered with living plants, cover crops or mulches made of organic matter. Cover crops suppress weeds. They increase the soil\u2019s water-holding capacity; this prevents erosion and helps crops withstand drought. When returned to the soil, cover crops provide carbon-containing organic matter and nutrients for later plantings. Peas, beans, clovers and legumes are nitrogen-fixing cover crops that reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Grow A Diversity of Plants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Choose a wide variety of species. Diverse plant life helps cultivate a soil ecosystem that can better store carbon, capture runoff and improve plant productivity and health. Perennial plantings may include ornamentals, ground covers, native plants and perennial vegetables and herbs. Consider drought-resistant varieties that are better able to withstand hotter, drier summers.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-heading--style-marked\">Reduce Your Carbon Footprint<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--sidebar-left\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column wsu-item-layoutu002du002dflex-column wsu-color-backgroundu002du002dgray-10\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column wsu-color-backgroundu002du002dgray-5\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<p>These steps can decrease your carbon emissions while gardening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Avoid using gas-powered equipment<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Weed, prune and rake leaves by hand. Consider using a push mower or electric mower instead of a gasoline-powered one.&nbsp;An average gas-powered lawn mower puts 90 pounds of carbon dioxide\u2014and 50 pounds of other pollutants\u2014into the air every year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Minimize use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Their manufacture and transport require a lot of energy from fossil fuels. When applied to soils, synthetic fertilizers emit the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide into the air. Instead, minimize synthetic fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides when possible. Beer bait for slugs, insecticidal soaps, neem oil, Bt bacterial toxin and other non-synthetic pesticides are more climate-friendly than synthetic ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Use peat-free potting soils and seed-starting mixes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Peat bogs store large amounts of carbon. Leaving them undisturbed\u2014instead of mining the peat moss\u2014is an effective strategy to help reduce climate change.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Additional Master Gardener Tip Sheets, including \u201cGardening Websites\u201d and \u201cGardening Publications\u201d are available at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/\">Tip Sheets<\/a>. Also, see WSU\u2019s \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/mastergardener.wsu.edu\/resources\/gardening-in-washington-state\/\">Gardening in Washington State<\/a>\u201d and free downloads of WSU gardening publications at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/pubs.extension.wsu.edu\/\">WSU Extension Publications Store<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By Elizabeth S. Smoots, MD, physician and gardener in Seattle, and James W. Little, MD, physician and WSU Master Gardener in Seattle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Detail image by&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/photos\/climate-change-drought-climate-dry-2241061\/\">Jo Davis<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-heading--style-marked\">References<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>1<\/sup>&nbsp;The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. 2018. Special Report: Global Warming of 1.5 Degrees C. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), 10\/2018. (The IPCC is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change.)&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ipcc.ch\/sr15\/\">www.ipcc.ch\/sr15\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>2<\/sup>&nbsp;United States Federal Government. 2018. Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume II: Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States. United Stated Federal Government: United States Global Change Research Program, 11\/23\/2018.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/nca2018.globalchange.gov\/\">nca2018.globalchange.gov\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>3<\/sup>&nbsp;Patz, J., V. Stull, and V. Limaye. 2020. A low-carbon future could improve global health and achieve economic benefits. Journal of the American Medical Association 323 (13): 1247-1248.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>4<\/sup>&nbsp;Weddell, B., L. Carpenter-Boggs, and S. Higgins. 2012. Global Climate Change. Washington State University Extension Fact Sheet FS069E.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>5<\/sup>&nbsp;Onti, T., and L. Schulte. 2012. Soil Carbon Storage. Nature Education Knowledge 3 (10): 35.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/scitable\/knowledge\/library\/soil-carbon-storage-84223790\/\">www.nature.com\/scitable\/knowledge\/library\/soil-carbon-storage-84223790\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>6<\/sup>&nbsp;Fargione, J.E., S. Bassett, and T. Boucher. 2018. Natural climate solutions for the United States. Science Advances 4 (11): Published online 11\/14\/2018 at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/advances.sciencemag.org\/content\/4\/11\/eaat1869\">advances.sciencemag.org\/content\/4\/11\/eaat1869<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>7<\/sup>&nbsp;Nickerson, C, R. Ebel, A. Borchers, and R. Carriazo. 2011. Major Uses of Land in the United States, 2007. United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Information Bulletin Number 89.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ers.usda.gov\/publications\/pub-details\/?pubid=44630\">www.ers.usda.gov\/publications\/pub-details\/?pubid=44630<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>8<\/sup>&nbsp;Marinelli, J. 2019. The Hidden Carbon Trap in Your Garden? It\u2019s All About the Soil. Audubon, 4\/19\/2019.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/news\/the-hidden-carbon-trap-your-garden-its-all-about-soil\">www.audubon.org\/news\/the-hidden-carbon-trap-your-garden-its-all-about-soil<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>9<\/sup>&nbsp;Gies, E. 2016. Landfills have a huge greenhouse gas problem. Ensia, October 25, 2016.  <a href=\"https:\/\/ensia.com\/features\/methane-landfills\/\">ensia.com\/features\/methane-landfills\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>10<\/sup>&nbsp;Chan, Y., R. Sinha and W. Wang. 2011. Emission of greenhouse gases from home aerobic composting, anaerobic digestion and vermicomposting of household wastes in Brisbane (Australia) 29 (5): 540-549.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>11<\/sup>&nbsp;O\u2019Hara, B. No-Till Intensive Vegetable Culture: Pesticide-Free Methods for Restoring Soil and Growing Nutrient-Rich, High-Yielding Crops, First Edition (February 21, 2020). Chelsea Green Publishing, White River Junction, Vermont.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>12<\/sup>&nbsp;Montgomery, D., and A. Bikle. Hidden Half of Nature: The Microbial Roots of Life and Health, Reprint Edition (November 15, 2016). W. W. Norton &amp; Company, New York, New York.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>13<\/sup>&nbsp;Dinius, P. 2015. Organic soil amendments in yards and gardens: How much is enough? Washington State University Master Gardener Program, February 16, 2015.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/mastergardener.wsu.edu\/resources\/gardening-in-washington-state\/\">gardening.wsu.edu\/organic-soil-amendments-in-yards-and-gardens-how-much-is-enough\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>14<\/sup>&nbsp;Cogger, C., D. Sullivan, and A. Bary. 2017. Backyard Composting. Washington State University Extension Home Garden Series EB1784E.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>15<\/sup>&nbsp;Chalker-Scott, L. 2014. Biochar: A Home Gardener\u2019s Primer. Washington State University Extension Fact Sheet FS147E.  <a href=\"https:\/\/pubs.extension.wsu.edu\/biochar-a-gardeners-primer-home-garden-series\">pubs.extension.wsu.edu\/biochar-a-gardeners-primer-home-garden-series<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>16<\/sup>&nbsp;Chuanhui, G., J. Crane, G. Hornberger, and A. Carrico. 2015. The effects of household management practices on the global warming potential of urban lawns. Journal of Environmental Management 151: 233-244.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/25585139\/\">pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/25585139\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>17<\/sup>&nbsp;Sisson, P. 2019. In age of climate change, can our lawns be more than landscaping? Curbed, May 1, 2019.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.curbed.com\/2019\/5\/1\/18524512\/landscaping-gardening-lawns-front-yards\">www.curbed.com\/2019\/5\/1\/18524512\/landscaping-gardening-lawns-front-yards<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>18<\/sup>&nbsp;Novak, D., E. Greenfield, R. Hoehn, and E. Lapoint. 2013. Carbon storage and sequestration by trees in urban and community areas of the United States. Environmental Pollution 178: 229-236.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0269749113001383?via%3Dihub\">www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0269749113001383?via%3Dihub<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>19<\/sup>&nbsp;Lawrence, T. 2015. Pollination and Protecting Bees and Other Pollinators: Home Garden Series. Washington State University Extension Fact Sheet FS174E.  <a href=\"https:\/\/pubs.extension.wsu.edu\/pollination-and-pollinator-protection-home-garden-series\">pubs.extension.wsu.edu\/pollination-and-pollinator-protection-home-garden-series<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>20<\/sup>&nbsp;Ley, E., S. Buchmann, K. McGuire and R. Holmes. 2009. Selecting Plants for Pollinators: Pacific Lowland. North American Pollinator Protection Campaign. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pollinator.org\/pollinator.org\/assets\/generalFiles\/PacificLowlandrx8_171017_090207.pdf\">www.pollinator.org\/pollinator.org\/assets\/generalFiles\/PacificLowlandrx8_171017_090207.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>21<\/sup>&nbsp;Lawrence, T., and W. Sheppard. 2013. Neonicotinoid Pesticides and Honey Bees. Washington State University Extension Fact Sheet FS122E.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>22<\/sup>&nbsp;Flynn R., and J. Idowu. 2015.&nbsp; Nitrogen fixation by legumes. New Mexico<br>State University College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>23<\/sup>&nbsp;Lynch, T. 2020. How to Turn Your Yard Into an Ecological Oasis. Yes! Solutions Journalism, February 7, 2020.  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yesmagazine.org\/environment\/2020\/02\/07\/yard-sustainability-native-plants\">www.yesmagazine.org\/environment\/2020\/02\/07\/yard-sustainability-native-plants<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>24<\/sup>&nbsp;Schnabel, F., J. Schwartz and A. Danescu. 2019. Drivers of productivity and its temporal stability in a tropical tree diversity experiment. Global Change Biology 25 (12): 4257-4272.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>25<\/sup>&nbsp;Piantanida, D. 2008. Green Things Come in Large Packages. The EPA Blog, August 5, 2008.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>26<\/sup>&nbsp;Osborne, C. 2019. #NoMowDays and Other Ways to trim your Grass and Your Emissions. Utah Department of Environmental Quality, September 9, 2019.  <a href=\"https:\/\/deq.utah.gov\/communication\/news\/no-mow-days-trim-grass-emissions\">deq.utah.gov\/communication\/news\/no-mow-days-trim-grass-emissions<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>27<\/sup>&nbsp;Antonelli, A. 2014. Pest Control in Home Vegetable Gardens. Washington State University Extension Fact Sheet E009E.  <a href=\"https:\/\/pubs.extension.wsu.edu\/pest-control-in-home-vegetable-gardens\">pubs.extension.wsu.edu\/pest-control-in-home-vegetable-gardens<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>28<\/sup>&nbsp;Russ, K. 2019. Less Toxic Insecticides. Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service, Home &amp; Garden Information Center (Clemson, SC).  <a href=\"https:\/\/hgic.clemson.edu\/factsheet\/less-toxic-insecticides\/\">hgic.clemson.edu\/factsheet\/less-toxic-insecticides\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>29<\/sup>&nbsp;Cleary, J., N.T. Roulet, and T.R. Moore. 2005. Greenhouse gas emissions from Canadian<br>peat extraction, 1990\u20132000: A life-cycle analysis. Ambio 34(6): 456\u2013461.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>30<\/sup>&nbsp;Hawken, P. Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming, First Edition (April 18, 2017). Penguin Random House, New York, New York.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Washington\u2019s Water: Climate Change. Washington State University Extension.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/water\/climate-change\/\">extension.wsu.edu\/water\/climate-change\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Store Carbon in Garden Soils and Plants Reduce Your Carbon Footprint Additional Master Gardener Tip Sheets, including \u201cGardening Websites\u201d and \u201cGardening Publications\u201d are available at&nbsp;Tip Sheets. Also, see WSU\u2019s \u201cGardening [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":0,"parent":551,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_expiration_date":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1313"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/61"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1313"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1313\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4321,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1313\/revisions\/4321"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/551"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1313"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1313"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1313"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}