There are ways to optimize your garden that can improve its carbon sequestration abilities and thus work better for you and the environment. A better CO2 capture garden requires less fertilizers, can save water resources, and of course, contribute to the planet’s climate change mitigation efforts.
It has been estimated that a standard American lawn captures less CO2 than many other plants. Furthermore, lawns are a drag for water resources which could be a big problem in dry areas.
Replacing the classic lawn with more plants and trees can provide a better carbon storage bank for the environment. The more plants there are, the more the carbon sequestration potential increases.
Techniques Increasing CO2 Capture Of Gardens
One of the ways to grow a healthy plant garden is choosing such species that are local to the climate of the region. Better-adapted vegetation to the local weather can reassure it will continue to store CO2 for a longer period of time, as not every tree or shrub can be water, freeze or drought-resistant.
Doug Tallamy – a professor of entomology at the University of Delaware, has created a website that can help people find local plants by entering the zip code of the area. Such services are especially helpful when trying to find out more about the local flora.
Trees are usually considered one of the best natural carbon sinks, as they are composed of about 50% carbon by weight. However, some glasses and prairie species are equally efficient at storing carbon, especially those with large root systems. Vegetation stores a huge amount of CO2 underground and it doesn’t escape for a long time as well.
Growing a variety of native grassland species seems to be one of the most efficient ways to sequester more carbon as their roots reach different depths. When the species die, they are eaten by microbes and worms that when die, stabilizes some of their carbon as part of the soil. That soil carbon sequestration process is especially efficient if the soil has clay, loam, or other “sticky” substances.
Using chemical fertilizers is a carbon-intensive action. However, growing the right types of plants like legumes eliminates the need for artificial fertilizers. Using compost and mulch outside the region where the vegetation grows could spread plant diseases so garden owners need to be considerate when applying it.
Creating a carbon-smart garden can make a difference in every local community and add to the bigger efforts of mitigating climate change. A garden instead of a simple lawn is a great carbon sequestration method, required less mowing, water resources and saves time and money.
