Making Waves

D.C. Urban Gardeners took to the airwaves yesterday in a radio discussion about the impact of global warming on gardening.

An official from the U.S. Department of Agriculture stole the show, however, when she acknowledged that publication of a sophisticated new hardiness zone map based on the most recent climate reports has been delayed because some of the mappers have been in Iraq, and for longer than expected.

I was invited to appear on Pacifica Radio's weekly "Earthbeat" segment to outline ways that we gardeners can reduce our carbon footprint and help alleviate the affects of global warming.

But ahead of me were, first, Patty Glick of the National Wildlife Federation, and author of that group's publication, "A Gardener's Guide to Global Warming," along with Kim Kaplan of the USDA's Agricultural Research Service.

The Wildlife Federation has outlined numerous steps gardeners can take to help the environment, such as eliminating use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, reducing the use of fossil-fueled power tools, planting native species and installing rain barrels.

Meanwhile, federal agriculture officials have taken some heat for falling behind in the race to keep track of the hardiness zone's northward march as a result of global warming. Kaplan was forced to defend the agency, for instance, against the Arbor Days Foundation's decision to publish their own hardiness zone map.

Kaplan said the USDA map will rely on more comprehensive data and will be more internet friendly--they just have to wait for their mappers to get back from the war zone in Iraq.

Also in the box was Todd Forrest of the New York Botanical Gardens, who said gardeners should be heartened that they are now at the forefront of the climate struggle. "By maintaining healthy green spaces we help mitigate the climate locally," Forrest said.

Forrest said one effect of warming trends in New York City is that the Botanical Gardens are now able to grow camellias and crape myrtles, which until now have been typical of more southerly climes.

On the downside, hemlock trees are now more vulnerable to pests that used to be killed off during cold winters, but are now surviving because of balmier temperatures.

Adrian Higgins, garden columnist for The Washington Post, said he is particularly unsettled by summer temperatures that now fail to cool off in the evening. As a result, Higgins said he no longer recommends gardeners in our area plant lilies or Eastern White pine or Colorado spruce or certain junipers.

"The warmer temperatures definitely are forcing people to be more inventive," Higgins said.

And what did Mr. Bruske have to say?

Compost. Compost. Compost.

It's all about feeding the soil, people, so the soil can feed your plants. What are we thinking, spraying all that fertilizer on our gardens? Or using gas-powered machines to blow the leaves off our lawn, then pile them in plastic bags at the curb so someone can throw them in a truck and drive them to an incinerator? 

And lawns? Turfbuilder? What's that about?

This global warming thing is going to require some kind of attitude adjustment.

You can listen to the complete broadcast here.

Comments

[Ed Bruske]

Christa, I'm glad you caught that part of what Ms. Kaplan said about sending the mapping chores to Oregon State U. I was waiting in the studio for my turn at the microphone and didn't hear that portion of what she said.

Lisa, I think your idea for D.C. specific lists of plants is brilliant. That's just what we are about, aiming solutions at the specific needs of the District of Columbia. How would you like to work on the list?

Regarding pavement, the D.C. Department of the Environment, Watershed Protection Division, gives grants for creating watershed-friendly gardens, including ripping out pavement to expose the soil. But I'm not sure individual homeowners are eligible for those grants. But someone from DOE may be listening...

[lisa-s]

Mr. Bruske's comments are very true. The question Dhe poses is not "What will global warming do to my garden?" but rather "What can my garden go against global warming?"

In small-city plots, where we can only plant shallow-root trees and shrubs, might DCUG develop a list of "Most Wanted Trees and Shrubs to Aid in CO2 Reductions," some guidelines for big ways that small-plot gardeners can return our gardens to the natural shade pattern that the Earth seems to prefer, thus effecting offsets? By small-plot, I mean miniscule, like the postage stamp in front of my rowhouse and the strip of garden next to my driveway.

It'd be nice if DC would offer homeowners some kind of tax credit simply for ripping up their concrete driveways and installing permeable surfaces. just a thought.

[Christa]

In all fairness to Ms. Kaplan, she did say they've turned the mapping project over to researchers at Oregon State University and are not waiting "for their mappers to get back from the war zone in Iraq" (because who knows when that will be - right?).

[Xris (Flatbush Gardener)]

And we need to consider what that future climate will be decades and generations from now, not just our current impact.

I want to plant a tree. What can I plant that will survive the next century? Not an easy question to approach. It's an exercise in risk management.