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Why Gardening is Good for the Environment

April 19, 2022

There are many different reasons you might choose to plant a garden. You may be looking to brighten up your home’s curb appeal or perhaps enjoy the wildlife that greenery invites. While some simply love digging in the dirt and watching their hard work blossom into something beautiful. 

Whatever the reason is, your home garden is doing a lot more for the environment than you may realize and has benefits reaching far beyond its beauty.

Increases Oxygen and Decreases Carbon Monoxide 

If you’ve ever stepped outside and enjoyed the fresh morning air, you have plants (and your lungs) to thank for that! During photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide that humans and plants emit to make food. In the process, plants release oxygen into the air and remove any harmful chemicals and bacteria that may be floating around. Think of plants as Earth’s very own air filter. So, the next time you admire a flower, you can also appreciate it for all the hard work it’s doing.

 

Wildlife Preservation

If you plant a garden, wildlife will follow. Trees, flowers, and shrubs provide homes for all kinds of smaller creatures that are essential for balancing and maintaining the ecosystem. Frogs, slugs or pollinators like birds, bees, and butterflies may find food and refuge in a home garden. While these animals may seem unimportant to daily life, experts believe pollinating insects are responsible for 35% of the world’s food supply. Their well-being is vital to our well-being! If you want to be kind to your backyard friends, plant Dahlias or Black-Eyed Susans to attract butterflies and hummingbirds or consider installing a bird feeder. It’s also a great idea to avoid using fertilizers with pesticides or other toxic chemicals harmful to animals when caring for your garden. 

 

Noise Pollution

When we think about pollution, we often think about plastic bottles in the ocean or smog in our atmosphere, but excessive noise can also seriously damage the environment. Believe it or not, plants reduce noise pollution both indoors and outdoors. Plant parts like the stem, trunk, leaves, and branches absorb and deflect sound. The ability to reduce sound is dependent on the number of plants in a given area and the plant’s size and surface area. According to the National Park Service, wildlife breeding and rearing cycles are affected by noise pollution. Your home garden provides a calm space for animals from the noisy chaos of traffic, construction, and urban settings. 

 

Reduces Your Carbon Footprint 

Food accounts for 8-10% of a household’s carbon footprint. Growing your own fruit and vegetables is an easy way to protect the environment and reduce your footprint– not to mention it’s extraordinarily convenient for cooking. Harvesting your own food and cutting down on trips to the grocery store means fewer emissions and a smaller carbon footprint. It also guarantees fresh and healthy foods on your dinner table. 

 

Visit Martin’s Home & Garden for Your Gardening Needs! 

Do you want to try your hand at gardening but aren’t sure where to start? Visit our nursery in Murfreesboro at Martin’s Home & Garden today to shop our vast selection of plants and gardening supplies. Our team is here to help you pick the right plants for your garden and transform your home. 

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