The end consumer has a lot of power to change the world around themselves. Take a look at organic foods. Twenty years ago it was hard to find organic foods unless you went to a health food store. Even the local farmer’s market has expanded. This is because the end consumer buys products from companies that match their concerns for sustainable products, ethical working conditions, equal pay, fair trade, and many other factors that include environmental concerns and social justice. There is no reason that all that power has to be about what we buy. It can also be about what we do at home. In this blog we look at some examples for landscaping for a cause.

The Bees

Everyone who is concerned about the bee population can do two things. First, plant early blooming flowers so that those queen bumble bees and honey bees have something to forage when they first emerge. Traditionally, dandelions are one of the first flowers to bloom and a powerful tool for bees. However, many of us look at dandelions as weeds, and we remove them. By planting early blooming flowers, we are helping to replace the lost opportunity for bees.

The second thing to do is to plant hedgerows. A hedgerow is a little row of shrubs under which you never dig. This is the exact spot where you will find native bees. Most native bees are ground dwelling solitary bees. They lose their habitat where we plow or dig because we destroy their nests. Solitary bees are small, usually single female bees. They make excellent pollinators. Having native bees around your yard is a big plus and all they need is a hedgerow.

The Food

Want to start your kids off eating vegetables early? Let them help you grow them. Chances are that when children garden they eat what they grow. Plus, you can have a ton of fun as a family by involving kids in gardening. Think about letting them grow their own pumpkin patch or pea patch. You can also grow food-themed gardens such as a pizza garden. For the whole family, fresh, organic food is a boon. You can reduce food insecurity around the world by growing a garden. If you are ambitious, grow a large garden so that you can take produce to the local food bank.

Environmental Issues

Plant a tree to help with air quality or a small forest to help offset local smog. There are many ways to use landscaping to address environmental concerns. For example, you can plant native plants instead of commercial plants that are non-native. You can plant drought resistant plants to help reduce the amount of water your yard needs. You can plant specialized plants that help birds find nesting sites, food, or shelter. You can install a bat box so that your home has a built in flying pest service.

Start with Your Concerns

Socially, personally, and environmentally – what’s bugging you? Can you do something in your yard to make a difference? Chances are you can. Reach out to our team for ideas about how to get started or for help with the bigger projects.