How to Celebrate Earth Day: 5 ways gardeners can make a difference

For gardeners, Earth Day doesn’t have to be a one-day event. We can celebrate Earth Day every day by making small choices that change our future. 

Here at Sow Right Seeds, we understand that you reap what you sow. So we know that what we put into the earth determines what we get out of it. That means as we invest in our planet, we invest in a better living environment for all of us. 

Gardeners know the growing power packed into one tiny seed. And we understand that just like seeds, small things can lead to a world of difference.

We’re sharing five small things gardeners can do to celebrate Earth Day today and every day.

Composting at home is an easy way to divert our food scraps and other natural materials away from landfills.

 
Start small by setting up a way to compost your kitchen scraps. When we put these natural scraps into our soil instead of the garbage, we create a rich growing environment instead of contributing to a toxic dump. In addition, compost can be added to your garden, improving soil structure and nutrient content and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. You can learn more about composting at home in our composting blogs.

Did you know that we need bees, butterflies, and other insects known as pollinators to have a healthy food supply? 

We can all appreciate the visual beauty of flowers, but flowers are vital for so many smaller creatures. Butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees all need the pollen and nectar that plants and flowers provide. Without these vital insects, our crops don’t receive the pollination they need to develop fruits and vegetables.  You can read more about which flowers to grow for pollinators on our blog.

The ripple effect of one package of garden seeds can change a life.

It doesn’t cost much, and yet, the payoff is enormous. For less than the cost of a latte, you can share a package of garden seeds that will help a community food bank, friend, or neighbor. In addition, community gardening programs can use those seeds to grow a large harvest and provide for many families.

When you grow your own food, you reduce your carbon footprint. 

Harvesting fresh cucumbers from your garden means they don’t have to be trucked across the country. And all those healthy greens can be grown without pesticides. And with heirloom seeds, you are continuing a tradition of growing crops that haven't been genetically altered. The benefits to both body and earth are amazing.

If you have a green thumb, share your knowledge and experience with others.

 
Share the incredible sense of accomplishment that comes from growing your own vegetables, herbs, and flowers. When you teach another person how to garden, you keep expanding the collective knowledge that benefits all of us. Even if you feel like a newbie yourself, you've already learned something to share. Your encouragement can help someone else succeed. And the world needs more gardeners!