What you plant in your climate-friendly garden depends on many factors that you’ll need to know and consider before choosing the plants that you’re going to grow.

* Go by Your Climate Zone – Before you even plan a garden, you need to know your climate zone. In the USA, you can find your zone by using the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) map. In Canada, you can use Natural Resources Canada to find your hardiness zones.

Links:
USDA map – http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/
Natural Resources Canada – http://www.planthardiness.gc.ca/

* Understand Your Area – Once you know what zone you’re in, you need to read up on the zone to know what plants work well in your area. The more you understand about your local area, the better you’ll do choosing the right plants. Plus, get to know your own land. Find out what plants are already growing naturally.

* Talk to Other Gardeners – One way to really succeed with a climate-friendly garden is to talk to other gardeners in your area who are using these practices. You may even be able to find a professional to help you get started. The first couple of years of your climate-friendly garden is very important and can be helped by professionals.

* Use Native Plants – The best way you can make your garden more climate-friendly is to use native plants. What plants have a history of growing in your area and are considered native to the area? How can those plants work for you and serve your garden? When you plant native plants, they are ready for the environment.

* Avoid Lawns – Instead of planting grass lawns, consider using native ground covers that will look just as beautiful and require less care. Grass takes a lot of water to keep it healthy, as well as a lot of labor that can best be used elsewhere.

* Buy Younger Healthier Plants – When you buy plants, go for the younger and healthiest plants that your local nurseries offer. Ask your local garden shop where they got the plants and what their gardening practices are to be on the safe side.

* Use Container Gardening – One way to help your garden is to also use some containers made from bamboo and other sustainable or recycled containers. Then you can move these containers to safe places if the weather is bad.

* Plant Fruit Trees – One way to affect the climate in your garden is to plant trees. Planting fruit trees does double duty to provide fruit and cover, which can shade super-hot areas of your garden and protect less hardy plants.

* Don’t Overwater – Another key for any plants that you take care of in your garden is to avoid overwatering. That means that you should use hardy, drought-resistant plants that are native to your area so that you can water less.

Growing a climate-friendly garden will not only help you save your little area of paradise from being an addition to global climate change, but it will also change the climate for the better in your garden. Grow plants native to your area, meant for your climate, and don’t use unnatural methods to encourage growth. In this way, you’ll have plants in abundance that are healthier for you and everyone else too.