25 & 26 February 2022:
Missed this episode? Catch up on the podcast here.
Home gardeners (as well as farmers) can be an important part of the solution to climate change by using climate-friendly practices in gardens and landscapes. Sustainable gardening and landscaping techniques can slow future warming by reducing carbon emissions and increasing carbon storage in the soil. Importantly, they build the soil by adding all-important organic matter, as well as reduce runoff and erosion.
The benefits of gardening are far reaching. Climate-friendly techniques foster creativity - encouraging us to beautify our landscapes; produce an abundance of healthy and delicious produce in our gardens; and relax more, providing opportunities to still the mind and get away from the busyness of everyday life. There is now evidence that gardening can help ease symptoms of mental illnesses like depression and anxiety.
Gardening is also great for children’s development - it can reinforce and increase skills in young, preschool and elementary-aged children: such as doing measurements, addition, subtraction, counting, sorting into categories and colours. Nature programs for children show evidence of increased literacy skills generally - the ‘mapping’ part of the brain used for reading and writing is the same part of the brain that navigates the physical world, (climbing, clambering over logs, reaching up and down increases proprioception in children). Practicing motor skills and learning what it is to have a work ethic are also life-skills learned through gardening.
Gardening and horticultural gurus, Bec Bowles from Yea Nursery, and (barefoot) Brian Bowring from Seymour will join your host Ruth this week to bring us lots of ideas of what we can do in our own backyards, on balconies, nature strips, and even create gardens on the verge out front of our house, as well as joining local community gardens.
They will offer simple ways we can really do our bit for the planet and feel part of the solution to solving climate change, at the same time as better caring for ourselves and our families.
We can’t lose with gardening - it’s a win win!
EarthChat on 103.9 Seymour FM on Friday at 10am, repeated on Saturday at 8am.
Listen up and get fired up
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