How Climate Change is hurting the plants in your garden

The season has been so unstable that I am genuinely starting to worry about Spring. Last year we also had an inconsistent Winter and when Spring came and the works restarted, a late frost hit and killed most of my annuals which we’ve been planting this same time, year after year. I also lost specialty plants that I was hoping to get an early start; not to mention the trees and shrubs that lost their flower buds. Many of my clients lost ALL of their magnolia flowers. It was a sad sight because we got to watch for several weeks the dead buds up on the tree which was never going to bloom.

It’s clear that the inconsistency in winter temperatures has a negative effect on the health of our plants. Sudden drops in temperature can cause damage to plant tissues, leading to frost damage or freeze injury. That was very visible last year, especially on broadleaf evergreens. These damages are permanent and even fatal for the plant. The fluctuations in temperature can also cause plants to become stressed, making them more susceptible to disease and pest infestations.

Evolution is a very slow, gradual process that occurs over many generations, so plants and animals have adapted to the consistent patterns of weather in their specific environments over time. However, if there is a sudden change in weather patterns, such as an increase in the inconsistency of weather, it can be difficult for organisms to adapt quickly enough to survive. This can lead to declines in population, and in some cases, extinction.

Climate change, caused by human activities, is leading to an increase in weather variability and extreme weather events. This is a major concern for biodiversity, as it can have a detrimental effect on the survival and reproduction of many species, including ours!

To revert this scenery we must invest in conservation efforts, such as protecting and restoring natural habitats, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions are crucial. Regenerative landscaping can play an important role in combating climate change by promoting carbon sequestration and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

We urge you that in 2023 rethink your landscaping practices: rethink your lawn, expand your garden beds, create a meadow, maybe add some biochar and compost to your garden to-do list. All efforts count and make a difference.

A huge contribution you can make is talking about More Than Gardens to a friend, a school, private or public corporations, even a politician you know! The further we reach, more regenerative gardens are being built and their impact is then multiplied, because each garden doesn’t work alone. They work as a grid in the city, creating pockets of cooling native plants, carbon sinks, water filtering and wildlife habitat. So please, join the talk and let’s together regenerate our land.

Agatha & Te More Than Gardens team