National Garden Month
And Earth Day!
What is National Garden Month all about?
Back in the 1980s, the National Garden Bureau worked with other national horticultural organizations to legislate National Garden Week. In 2002, the National Gardening Association resolved to extend the celebration to encompass the entire month of April.
All around the country, educational activities, public events, government proclamations, local plant sales and swaps, and garden center seminars, all occur during National Garden Month. This builds excitement and increases participation in gardening.
LA County Library has tips and resources below that will help you be a more sustainable gardener this April and beyond!
What About Earth Day? Does that have anything to do with National Gardening Month?
Not directly, but there obviously is an overlap in terms of promoting more sustainable behaviors. Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by EarthDay.org including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries.
How can LA County Library help me to do my part this Earth Day and National Garden Month?
Below are some important resources and time-proven tips for reducing waste, gardening smarter, and otherwise making some minor changes that will, if we all participate, have a major positive impact on our planet.
Featured Event
Earth Day Author Talk with Rosanna Xia
Monday, April 22, 3 – 4 PM
West Hollywood Library, Meeting Room
Join Board of Supervisors Chair Lindsey P. Horvath for an engaging chat about the environment and California’s coastline with Rosanna Xia who is an environmental reporter for the Los Angeles Times, specializing in stories about the coast and ocean. She was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2020 for explanatory reporting, and her work has been anthologized in the Best American Science and Nature Writing series. Don’t miss this insightful discussion on environmental issues and our coastal ecosystems!
Register Now
Recycling and Waste Reduction
Here are some ways you can take action to celebrate Earth Day.
Food Waste Prevention – Create a weekly menu for cooking meals and only buy food that you need. Learn more at FoodDropLA.com.
Smart Gardening – Compost to divert food waste from landfills and enrich your soil. Visit SmartGardening.com to learn how.
Go Paperless – Opt to receive email or text reminders to pay bills electronically. Sign-up to stop receiving junk mail.
Household Hazardous Waste Alternatives – Make your own common household products such as window cleaners, spot removers, and pest repellents using ingredients found around your home that are chemical free. Find alternative recipes at CleanLA.com.
Bring Your Own – Carry your own reusable foodware and bottles everywhere you go to avoid using single use items.
Reuse – Donate items you no longer need and repurpose items such as using jars/containers for storing other items or scrap paper for notes, pet cage liners, origami, and more!
Recycle Right – Ensure your recyclables are empty, clean, and dry before placing them in your recycling bin. Remember, you can also put cash in your pocket by recycling CRV beverage containers.
Rethink – Find ways to reduce the waste you create by purchasing and disposing wisely. Consider if the item can be reused, repaired, or recycled.
Become environmental stewards by implementing these steps and encourage others to do the same to reduce waste as well as conserve energy and water.
Content provided by Los Angeles County Public Works. For more information and tips visit CleanLA.com. Don’t forget to follow @CleanLA on Twitter!
Gardening
Plant Seeds
Check out the Seed Library
Pick up free flower, vegetable, herb, and pulse seeds for your home garden during your next visit to Cudahy, George Nye, Jr., Angelo M. Iacoboni, La Mirada, and Lawndale libraries.
Gardening Tools
Check out the Tool Lending Library
Borrow gardening tools for free at 5 Tool Lending Library locations: Compton, Lancaster, Norwalk, Rosemead, and San Fernando. The gardening tool inventory includes: Pruning shears, trowel, bulb planter, garden hoe, seed spreader, shovel, fruit picker, and tamper.
