The Facts
Plants can be good for the environment in many ways. For example, one tree can absorb 22-23kg of carbon dioxide per year! That means if we had 100 trees then they can absorb 2 to 3.5 metric tons. That is the same as 3,500 kilograms of carbon, which is a lot of carbon removed from the atmosphere.
Whilst trees are amazing for the environment, you might not have room for one in your garden. This is where other plants come in.
The Plants
It’s not just trees that are useful to the environment. There are lots of different plants that you can put in your garden. For example, lavender is a good pollinator for bees. You could also get some daffodils to make your garden look very fresh and bright. Roses are also a great addition to your garden because they are very fragrant and they look stunning in photographs. Which plant or flower you choose will depend on the conditions of where you are growing your plant and what time of year it is. For roses, it is recommended that you plant them between November and March but avoid any snow or frost in the planting area!
The Process
Now, if you want to get started at home and help the environment, then you can follow these steps to get started!
- Make sure you have plenty of soil; plants need soil to grow so if you don’t have soil, you can buy some from a gardening shop.
- Get a seed of your choice. You might want a plant that attracts insects such as bees, ladybugs and butterflies, or you might want a huge fruit tree in your garden. Whatever suits your interests is fine.
- Put the seed in the soil to grow. Plants need soil because it contains lots of nutrients.
- Provide it with enough sunlight and water and watch your plant grow!
What happens if…
I don’t have enough sunlight?
I forget to water my plant?
It can be difficult to know how to best look after your plant if it is your first time looking after one. Here are some tips to help!
Gently, press your finger into the soil. If it feels dry then you need to water the plant. On the other hand, if the soil feels soggy for a long time or if it is growing algae or mould then you are watering the plant too much.
If you do not have enough sunlight, then you can get a bright lamp and put it directly over the plant. If it is an outdoor plant, then you can move the plant to a sunny spot in your garden.
Plants need maintenance because they are a living being so please look after your plants!