THE CLIMATE GARDEN
Methods of modern agriculture emit large amounts of greenhouse gases, but how we grow our food doesn’t have to contribute to climate change. The Climate Garden, an accessible and hands-on, youth-oriented garden, demonstrates agriculture techniques for a more sustainable future. These techniques, employed on a scale for the home gardener, have the power to draw carbon from the atmosphere, restore healthy soils, support biodiversity, and build a more sustainable food system. As the Climate Garden grows and matures, visitors will be able to explore crop plants celebrated for their drought tolerance, nitrogen fixing ability, importance as cover crops, contribution to pollinator habitat, and more.
Located off Pliny’s Allée, the Climate Garden is an accessible space for learning and resilience. Throughout the year, the Climate Garden hosts drop-in activities and educational programs for youth and families.
The Climate Garden features 26 rectangular beds designed to showcase plants in three major categories: plants we eat, plants that support healthy soil, and plants that contribute to biodiverse habitat. Through this plant collection, visitors can explore the many creative ways gardens can adapt to the pressures of climate change and also help mitigate its effects.
- PLANTS WE EAT: Several beds in the Climate Garden feature recognizable fruits and vegetables grown using sustainable techniques such as intercropping, a method of planting companion crops in close proximity to conserve space, reduce weeds naturally, and build soil health. Look for: tomatoes, basil, sweet alyssum, chamomile, kale, marigolds, blueberries, turnips, radish, oats.
- PLANTS THAT SUPPORT HEALTHY SOIL: Some beds showcase cover crops such as legumes, grains, and brassica, plants that can be used in small- and large-scale agriculture to protect and enrich the soil. Keeping soil planted between crop rotations prevents erosion and supports a healthy soil microbiome. In contrast to bare soil, live plants capture carbon, sequestering it in their leaves, stems, and roots. Look for: blue flax, buckwheat, red clover, yellow mustard, lettuce, spinach, sorghum, cowpea.
- PLANTS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO BIODIVERSE HABITAT: Other beds spotlight plants that provide essential food and habitat for beneficial insects. Look for: giant sunflowers, common milkweed, lance-leaf coreopsis, purple coneflower, and little bluestem. Cut flower beds featuring drought resistant annual plants demonstrate how beautiful blooms can be achieved even with limited water resources. Look for: lupine, zinnia, prunella, nigella, and ornamental tobacco.