Gardening in the Age of Climate Change
Climate change is affecting everything in our world today. And as observers of nature and living, growing things, gardeners are seeing these changes firsthand. Plants, flowers and trees are blooming earlier throughout North America. Winter frost and extreme storms can damage these early bloomers. Non-native invasive species are more responsive to climate changes which is facilitating naturalization and invasion, while poison ivy plants respond to higher levels of carbon dioxide, growing larger and producing more toxic oil.
Given all the challenges to contend with, one may indeed need a book to help them as they work on their gardens. Luckily, Ken Druse has updated his original book, “The Natural Shade Garden:,” to include information on how they can help to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and deal with the issues that climate change has brought us. His book, “The New Shade Garden: Creating a Lush Oasis in the Age of Climate Change” addresses many of these challenges we will continue to encounter, while still providing beautiful, inspiring photographs and plenty of gardening wisdom.
From Amazon:
“There is a new generation of gardeners who are planting gardens not only for their visual beauty but also for their ability to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In The New Shade Garden, Ken Druse provides this generation with a comprehensive guide to creating a shade garden with an emphasis on the adjustments necessary for our changing climate. Druse offers advice for common problems facing today’s gardeners, from addressing the deer situation to watering plants without stressing limited resources. Detailing all aspects of the gardening process, the book covers basic topics such as designing your own garden, pruning trees, preparing soil for planting, and the vast array of flowers and greenery that grow best in the shade. Perfect for new and seasoned gardeners alike, this wide-ranging encyclopedic manual provides all the information you need to start or improve upon your own shade garden.”
For more ideas on how to adapt your garden to climate change, read about Cornell University’s “Climate change demonstration garden.”