Celebrate Earth Day by taking action! Let’s honor our remarkable planet as we focus on the importance of sustainability and conserving the environment. Earth Day is a welcome reminder for all of us to come together, inspire change, and foster a deeper connection with nature. Be an Earth Day Hero and try these 6 easy ways you can take action and make a difference for a greener planet.
1: PLANT A VICTORY GARDEN
Victory Gardens were created to relieve tensions during a time when essentials were in high demand and to build a more sustainable life with edible gardening. During the First World War, Americans were invited to “Sow the Seeds of Victory” and grow their own food. It was a wartime garden revival and everyone was encouraged to contribute by planting fruits and vegetables as a means of supporting their families and our troops.
Today, Victory Gardens are just as important because utilizing essential and renewable resources such as edible plants is the key to protecting our environment, beneficial pollinators, and our families.
There are many different directions you can go with your Victory Garden. Raised beds and traditional vegetable gardens are always a great idea, or you can get creative with your approach and try Foodscaping. Plant a functional yet beautiful garden that will provide gorgeous color and delicious vegetables and herbs throughout the year. Foodscaping utilizes edible plants as a food source and a visual alternative to ornamental plants.
To learn more about how to plant a Victory Garden, visit our blog here: Victory Garden: It Is Time To Plant and Grow What You Eat
Limited space? No problem! Try small-space edible gardening and become a container vegetable grower! Create a compact veggie garden on your porch or patio, you can be even more creative by pairing your plants with stylish pottery. Edible gardening in containers will add beautiful color to any outdoor space while providing functionality.
Ready to start your balcony herb garden or patio vegetable garden? Visit our blog to learn more here: Small Space Gardening: The Importance to Growing Your Own Food
This Earth Day, get your family involved and make education fun with gardening! Help your loved ones build a better connection with our planet with a fun and exciting gardening activity. You too can “Sow the Seeds of Victory” while having fun painting pottery and decorating plant labels. It will teach responsibility, patience, and how to grow your own food.
Try this Earth Day activity today! Learn how to get started and enjoy our helpful seed sketchbook template when you visit our blog here: Sow The Seeds of Victory: Gardening Tips & Activities with Seeds
2: PRACTICE ECO-FRIENDLY GARDENING
As you get outside in your garden this spring, consider eco-friendly options when planting. Helping the environment is more important now than ever, especially on Earth Day! Eco-friendly gardening teaches us better ways to evolve our approach to help revitalize soils, encourage sustainability, and grow organically.
Start by exploring the benefits of using Proven Winners® E Eco+ Grande® compostable pots in your garden. The plant-powered packaging might look like plastic, but it is fully compostable. It is made with U.S-grown renewable plants including corn, switchgrass, and sugar beets. As they break down in your soil, these nutrients and proteins are released, nourishing the roots of your plants.
Another way to practice sustainable gardening is to use organic plant foods. Feed your garden the organic way with Espoma® Organic® Tone family of fertilizers! They are packed with natural proteins and beneficial microbes for all areas of your landscape and they are made with 100% natural and organic ingredients.
For a green and healthy lawn, use Calloway’s Natural & Organic Lawn & Garden Food. With a 10-3-1 formula containing Nitrogen, Phosphate, and Soluble Potash to help produce better results for your eco-friendly landscaping.
For more environmentally friendly landscaping ideas, visit Eco-Friendly Gardening Tips for Spring
3: CREATE A POLLINATOR POWERHOUSE
Join the pollinator preservation movement and empower beneficial pollinators! More than 80% of our flowering plants and over 150 different food crops rely pollination to thrive.
Create a safe haven and support garden pollinators by providing shelter, food, and a water source. Start by hanging bird feeders and nesting sites throughout your landscape. Setting up bird feeders can reduce the stress and energy they utilize hunting for food.
Birds consume up to 10,000 calories a day. Give them high-fat foods for a well-balanced meal and fill your feeders with Calloway’s Premium Bird Seed. Our bird seed blends are chock full of the proteins, carbohydrates, and fats that birds crave.
Birdhouses create a safe place for them to raise babies and get rest. They also protect our Texas birds from predators and extreme weather.
Water plays a crucial role in the hydration, cleaning, cooling body temperatures, and reproduction of our garden pollinators. Add a bird bath to your landscape for an easy water source or create your own DIY Bird Bath.
Learn how to make a bird bath planter and other ways you can empower beneficial pollinators here: Empower Pollinators: Easy Ways to Make a Difference This Spring
4: HELPING THE EARTH AT HOME
Helping the Earth begins at home. Indoor gardening is a great way to better our world and promote a healthier lifestyle for you and your family.
Indoor plants bring eco-goodness into your space, they help clean the air that we breathe. They liven up our homes, help reduce stress, sharpen attention, and can even boost productivity. Indoor plants are ideal for beginner gardeners and small-space gardening.
Kitchen herb gardens are another way to bring nature indoors. It will help you practice a greener lifestyle and add flavor to your meals naturally. They are chock full of beneficial nutrients and vitamins and they can easily adapt to indoor conditions.
Save time, money, and learn how to grow herbs in your kitchen when you visit our blog here: How to Grow an Herb Garden in Your Kitchen
5: SAVE WATER
Take action this Earth Day and practice proper watering. Knowing how to water your plants efficiently is an easy way to save water and help your plants develop strong root systems. Using quality tools will help you water your plants effectively. At Calloway’s and Cornelius, we have a vast collection of watering tools for every area of your garden.
Applying organic mulch to your flowerbeds is more than just a decorative top dressing. Mulch helps retain moisture in the soil and maintain soil temperatures. It also prevents the development of weeds.
Check out our step-by-step guide to on proper watering here: 10 Watering Tips for Gardening Success
6: USE NATURAL PEST CONTROL
The warmer weather always brings pesky vistors to our Texas homes. From flies to mosquitoes, you can deter these unwelcomed guests with natural pest control.
This Earth Day, use plants to repel flies, gnats, and mosquitoes. These pest control plants will prevent them from invading your personal space and add beauty to your gathering spaces.
Try planting fresh herbs like Lavender, Basil, Citrosa, and Rosemary. Their strong aroma is wonderful to us, but disliked by problem pests making them a fantastic natural bug repellent.
Release beneficial insects in your Texas garden such as Ladybugs, Lacewings, and Nematodes. They will go to work immediately eating and eliminating pests without any harmful toxins or chemicals.
Ready to tackle problem pests the natural way? Visit our blog to learn more here: Tackle Problem Pests in your Texas Home & Garden
SHOP WITH EASE
At Calloway’s and Cornelius, we are here to help with all your spring gardening activities! Visit us today and explore our stunning collection of vibrant blooms, impressive trees and shrubs, stylish pottery, lush indoor plants, and so much more! Shop any of our 28 neighborhood stores, where we have served our loyal customers for over 35 years. Plus, enjoy more time to shop for your Texas garden with our EXTENDED SPRING HOURS! We are open from 9 am to 7 pm – Monday through Friday and 9 am – 6 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Have questions? No worries! Ask our Texas Certified Nursery Professionals; they are here to help!
