The RCMG Climate Responsiveness Project: A Guide to Climate-Conscious Gardening

Exploring Climate Responsiveness Actions

The RCMG Climate Responsiveness Project has released a guide describing climate responsiveness actions. They are sharing a series of articles to help volunteers explore some of the practical steps featured in the guide.

Becoming a more climate-conscious gardener might seem daunting at first. New information about climate change emerges every year. Sometimes, it feels like the climate crisis is upending everything we know about maintaining our beloved plants. However, incorporating climate-conscious strategies into your gardening practice doesn't have to be overwhelming. In fact, it can be a fun challenge!

Resources for Climate-Conscious Gardening

There are many great resources available to help you stay updated on the latest gardening practices without consuming too much of your “digging in the dirt” time each week. Plus, remember that you can count your research time as continuing education hours!

The University of Minnesota’s Landscape Arboretum is an excellent starting point. Search the Arboretum Blog for articles on topics like Climate-ready trees. This is particularly useful when considering adding new trees to your yard or RCMG project locations.

Illinois’ Morton Arboretum is another fantastic resource. Check out articles like Five Ways to Grow Resilient Gardens in a Changing Climate. Their Climate and Sustainability section is also worth exploring.

Additionally, you can learn to Manage Yard & Garden Problems Wisely through sources like the University of Wisconsin’s Horticulture Extension.

Staying Informed with Northern Gardener

Northern Gardener, published by the Minnesota State Horticultural Society, is another recommended resource for fresh climate information. Their Tool Shed blog features a Sustainable Gardener section. Look for great pieces like Climate resilient pollinator plants for Minnesota to help you find essential details about climate-ready plants.

Exploring Sustainable Gardening Practices

Another valuable resource is the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Sustainable Gardening section. While their climate zone differs from Minnesota’s, they provide great information on universal topics such as water conservation and soil care.

For a deeper dive into climate-conscious gardening, consider enrolling in the free Climate-Ready Gardening for Master Gardener Volunteers online toolkit through the University of Minnesota. This toolkit offers fresh information on topics like soil management practices, cover crops, lawn alternatives, water management strategies, and more. And again, remember to count your continuing education hours!

The Joy of Climate-Conscious Gardening

Blending climate-conscious topics into your existing gardening practice can be both interesting and fun. The information is out there, and we will continue to look for great resources to share with you!

For more ways to protect existing trees, see How You Can Be a Climate Responsive Gardener by the RCMG Climate Responsiveness Project.

By taking small steps and utilizing available resources, you can make a significant impact in your gardening practices. Embrace the challenge and enjoy the journey of becoming a climate-responsive gardener!