“However many years she lived, Mary always felt that ‘she should never forget that first morning when her garden began to grow’.”

―Frances Hodgson Burnett

“My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece”
―Claude Monet

Gardeners often end up with dirt underneath their fingernails and grass stained pants. They also create spaces of awe-inspiring beauty and peace. Gardens may not seem like they have much of a connection to the sea, but how we maintain our land affects the ocean around us. We can work together to make green gardens that compliment the blue ocean.

Photo by Lars Ploughmann, flickr user criminalintent

Local landscaping.

When picking out plants keep the ocean in mind. If you choose to use local plants you will be helping out the sea! These plants are already used to your climate and will need less watering and attention. This will save water and time. You can explore the EPA’s guide to native plants here. Quick tip: Don’t water your lawn everyday. Test it by stepping on the grass and if it springs back, it doesn’t need to be watered.

Less chemicals, happy plants.

Gardeners know what they want (and don’t want) in their gardens. To get rid of weeds and pests many people use harmful chemicals, which can end up in the ocean. Instead, you can avoid pests by using safer solutions. Quick tip: Keeping grass clippings in your lawn and allowing for long roots can reduce the amount of pesticides you use.

Waste to riches, a compost story.

Photo by anneheathen, flickr user annethelibrarian

A compost bin takes a small amount of time to make and will help your garden for as long as you use it. You can put leaves, lawn clippings, and kitchen scraps into it. Your waste will turn into a natural fertilizer that lessens (or eliminates) the need for expensive chemical fertilizers. It will help the ocean by keeping the chemicals from fertilizers from ending up in our waterways, and then our seas!

Unsure of what to compost? You can check out this list to see what you can compost for a beautiful garden!

cover photo by: Martin Stone, flickr user martinrstone

The Seas the Day initiative encourages and empowers people to take ocean conservation personally. Each month, we feature a new conservation theme with ways to help so come back regularly for more ocean-helping ideas and tips!

Created mainly to support our partner ZAMs (Zoos, Aquariums, and Museums and other visitor-serving organizations involved in our growing network) in motivating conservation action, Seas the Day is for you to tailor for your own purposes. Please use any or all of the content verbatim and re-post on your own blog, social media channels, website, newsletter, etc. We have a large database of action tips and related content for you to use so let us know what’s most helpful and what other action-able types of information and resources we can provide to enhance your conservation efforts.