This past weekend, I had the opportunity to address the nursery industry and home gardeners on the subject of sustainability. Although a thousand miles or more separated these two events, and the story told a bit differently, the message was the same; we are consuming natural resources at an unsustainable rate. And without the combined efforts of gardeners and the industry that supplies our habit (along with help from the rest of the world) we won’t be leaving behind these resources for future generations.
I don’t mean to sound as though we’re the ones responsible for this problem. But it is ironic, that as a group, we are the ones doing so much to beautify this planet, and we do so with such good intentions. Unfortunately, for many of us, that process includes the use of excessive chemicals, equipment that pollutes the air, consumptive practices that deplete water resources and excessive waste burdening our landfills.
The underlying message from my research on sustainability and gardening is that as a group, we really want to be more eco-friendly. Environmental stewardship, we say, is either very important or somewhat important according to studies conducted by the National Gardening Association. Other surveys support these claims. The truth is, we have a long way to go. Although we say it’s important, only a small percentage of those claiming its importance even know what to do to make a difference. I find that discouraging yet I see tremendous opportunity.
Some of the reasons we’re not there yet? Gardening consumers still question the effectiveness of more eco-friendly products. Others think they’re too expensive. Some are confused by all the claims (a.k.a. greenwashing) while others either don’t have enough information or they can’t find the products on the store shelves.
The good news is, all of these claims can be resolved…in time. How quickly depends on many things. But one thing I know, it will take the collective efforts of people in the industry as well as home gardeners and weekend warriors to walk their talk and get the message out to others.
Events like the Sustainability conference in Frisco, TX and the Green Festival in Washington, D.C are encouraging. The DC conference was exciting and the buzz from the vendors and attendees was contagious. The festival is growing in size every year and the momentum is growing. Gardeners want to do the right thing and events like these are a reassuring reminder of that.
Joe Lamp’l
joegardener.com; growing a greener world
About Joe Lamp'l
Joe Lamp'l is the Host and Executive Producer of the award winning PBS television series Growing A Greener World. Off camera, Joe dedicates his time to promoting sustainability through his popular books, blog, podcast series, and nationally syndicated newspaper columns. Follow Joe on Twitter
A great resource coming for professionals and home gardeners is the sustainable sites initiative. (www.sustainablesites.org) Sustainable sites started at the lady bird johnson wildflower center in Austin TX, then bloomed into its current glory.
Sustainable sites addresses any landscape, discussing sustainable elements of water use, soils, vegetation, materials, and human well-being. It is a list of voluntary guidelines to help preserve, protect, and enhance the environments where we live, work, and play.
Starting a new landscape constuction project or building a new structure? Check it out! Many of the recommendations will save you money in the long haul and do good for the environment! What’s not to love!
I’m all for responsible environmental stewardship and feel that we still have a long way to go. I feel that one of the groups that needs to be reached is the “professional gardener” including the “mow and blow” pro.
When you think about it, they are (and I include myself in this group) the people who maintain, install and work in the garden daily. The impact of our practices are multiplied compared to the home gardener. There is a great program in Santa Barbara, California that trains and certifies professional gardeners in green practices. The graduate is eligible to have his business contact information posted on a special web site that promotes professional green gardeners.
I have been a moderate in matters pertaining to green gardening, utilizing green products and applications first and resorting to conventional chemicals as a last resort. The greatest challenge is removing ivy from a client’s yard so it will not come back.
Anyone have a great solution for ivy removal? The pressure to remove it effectively is greater on a professional landscaper than the home gardener because clients expect the job to get done once and for all! Home gardeners have the benefit of time and patience.
Keep educating us Joe. I’m listening.
Shirley
Not only should we continue to educate home gardeners about sustainability through our columns, articles, and books, but garden writers and photographers should also provide audiences with a little more on-the-job training. I need to do more leg work, visiting the gardens of my readers to see if there’s an opportunity to increase their awareness of sustainable gardening. To use an old writer’s adage; do a lot more showing and a little less telling.