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I offset carbon emissions
Thursday, 18 March 2010
With all this talk of carbon emissions and decreasing oxygen levels, it seems only fair that one should be able to off-set that carbon footprint.
I think planting a couple of trees, which will eventually grow into big and beautiful things, is certainly a good way to go about it.
So I took some time to find out a little bit more about trees; the indigenous ones specifically so that I could starting doing some green gardening.
What I love about indigenous plants is that you don’t have to stress over them.
Indigenously living
I suppose one needs to know what an indigenous plant is before even embarking on this little mission to save our planet.
What are indigenous plants? These are plants which have grown over thousands of years in a specific region, and have adapted to the geography, hydrology and climate in that region.
Indigenous plants have many advantages. They:
*Do not require fertilizers
*Require fewer pesticides than lawns
*Require less or little water
*Help reduce air pollution
*Provide important habitats and food for wildlife
*Are evergreen
*Can be used as medicinal plants
*Attract birds and wildlife
*Can maintain themselves in poor soil
*Save you money
This is probably a very limited list; I’m sure Environmental Biologists could do much better. But I think you get the idea.
Buying bulb
The perfect thing one can do is plant an indigenous bulb just as the winter starts, and then watch it as it grows into a flower, which is usually expected just when Spring comes around.
There is always a range of indigenous plants to choose from, and they come in an astounding selection of colours; exactly what any garden needs after a long and cold winter.
Whatever one decides the ultimate outcome is sure to do the environment some good, because that will mean more oxygen and some off-setting.
Here are a few places to get you started on finding the plant for you.
New Plant Nursery Wholesalers of Indigenous Plants
Random Harvest Indigenous Nursery
2010 Annual Indigenous Plant Fair
Posted in: Blog, My Green Journey
12 years ago when I moved into my present home I cut down 8 ailing deodars, a eucalyptus and a silky oak, along with half a dozen bug weeds. Instead I planted acacias, combretums and other indigenous trees and shrubs. I stopped ‘treating’ my swimming pool with HTH and shut the filter down. I planted indigenous water plants and introduced indigenous fish. I make my own compost and use no poisons. Not only am I reducing my carbon footprint; I live in paradise.
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