Like every important issue, climate change is both a global and local issue, and gardeners have more perspective and knowledge of the problem than many people.

Gardeners are outdoors observing and working with nature. They are pulling weeds, watching some plants die and others flourish, dealing with unexpected downpours and scalding droughts. Because gardeners have a better understanding of how nature works, they are in a better position to make positive changes to their own environment.

Why do gardeners care about climate change?

1. Extreme conditions – drought, flood, and temperatures – all are making it harder to predict what growing conditions will be. For years we’ve said the last frost is about March 15, but now there might not be freezing temperatures at all or if there are, it is hard to know when they might be. Temperatures steadily topping out in the 100s make it difficult for many plants to stay alive, let alone grow and produce well.

2. Invasive, non-native plants and animals are poised to take over in areas where natives and other traditional garden plants are struggling. If you are seeing more weeds in your garden, you’re not alone.

3. Changes in the weather make it difficult to plant and succeed with varieties you’ve chosen for years, including native plants. We’ve always had a fairly temperate and moderate climate with a wide range of adapted plants. Finding varieties that can tolerate high heat, occasional extreme cold, flooding and drought isn’t easy. But natives remain the best choice for our climate, particularly large elements of the garden like trees and shrubs.

4. It is getting more difficult for pollinators and other wildlife that depend on plants to survive. We need pollinators to provide our food and pollinators need food for themselves. Warming trends might mean that bees and hummingbirds, important pollinators, might arrive too late to feed on their customary food sources since those plants have bloomed and stopped blooming early. Or, as we’ve seen recently, huge weather events like hurricanes and floods can wipe out traditional feeding areas as pollinators migrate from place to place.

Austinites are lucky that the local government is aware of the problems brought on by climate change and is making efforts to help mitigate those problems. On the other hand, Austin is dependent on other government agencies — state and federal. There are many things that individuals can do to lessen the consequences of climate change and global warming. We gardeners think of ourselves as stewards of the earth and nature, so now is the time to put that thought into action.

1. Use human energy instead of fossil fuel energy in the garden. Replace outdoor lighting with solar-powered lights, high-efficiency bulbs, timers and other tools that will provide you with the light you need without adding to the problem. Remember too if you enjoy stargazing, you need a dark sky to see the twinkling. Instead of using gasoline powered tools then going to the gym to work out, get a hand-push mower, sweep away cuttings with a broom and rake up leaves instead of using a leaf blower. Did you know that using a gasoline-powered mower for one hour makes more pollution than a dozen cars? Reduce the amount of grass that needs watering and mowing and replace it with ground cover that is low-maintenance.

2. Use native plants to discourage invasive non-native varieties. As soon as you see a weed or weed-tree in your yard, yank it out. Mimosas, privet, bindweed, nutgrass, and many more will creep in and take over, pushing out native plants that pollinators and other native creatures depend on for life. They will also suck up all the water available and leave few nutrients for the plants you want to grow. Don’t leave bare spots in the landscape. They are an invitation to weeds to come on in and multiply.

3. Conserve water by mulching beds heavily, watering deeply early or late so it isn’t evaporated by the sun before it ever gets to the plants. Use drip irrigation or other conserving methods in vegetable and flower gardens. Collect rain when it falls for use when it stops. Rain barrels can be complex and expensive or low-tech and simple. You get to choose.

4.Compost, compost, compost. Composting solves a myriad of problems. It keeps stuff out of the landfill, which is a big source of greenhouse gasses. It creates homegrown fertilizer for your garden. Your kitchen and garden waste should all go into a compost pile – again, elaborate or simple, you choose.

5. Trees and large shrubs thrive on carbon dioxide. While we struggle with too much carbon dioxide emission, trees and big shrubby plants suck it up happily and convert it to clean oxygen. Shade trees also help cut down on air-conditioning and heating costs when they shade in the summer and make room for the sun in the winter. A mature tree absorbs carbon dioxide at a rate of 48 pounds per year; a young tree as much as 26 pounds. Remember to plant native trees that will be happy in your environment. Remember that shade is great for the house, but if you want to plant vegetables, make sure they get plenty of sun.

6. Use your imagination. There are many things that home gardeners do that improve the pollution problem. Growing your own veggies rather than buying those shipped thousands of miles cuts down on emissions. Turning organic material into the soil (carbon sequestration) puts the excess carbon to use rather than freeing it into the air. Avoiding chemical fertilizers in favor of compost and local manures avoids the high energy cost of chemical production and transport. Avoiding chemical pesticides and herbicides avoids the high cost of production and transport and makes your garden safer, healthier and more productive. Think of it as a puzzle and challenge. Gardeners love challenges! Think of ways you can make your little corner cleaner and more well-balanced.

7. Don’t forget to vote. Your elected officials will determine how the city, state and nation face global warming. Ask questions and speak out.