A garden is more than just a collection of plants—it’s a reflection of our values, our creativity, and our connection to the planet.
And with climate shifts, resource challenges, and a whole lot of Pinterest inspiration swirling around, Earth Day is the perfect time to rethink what sustainability looks like in your own backyard.
Spoiler alert: it’s not about perfection—it’s about progress.
Here are five realistic, beautiful, and joy-filled swaps you can make in your garden this Earth Day (or anytime, really).
Lawns may be nostalgic, but they’re also some of the most resource-intensive parts of a garden. Weekly mowing, constant watering, and fertilizers that run off into waterways? No thanks.
Swap it out: Try a flowering eco-lawn blend like Fleur de Lawn, which includes microclover, yarrow, and fine fescue. It’s soft underfoot, supports pollinators, and because of all the nitrogen fixing plants in the blend, it does not require added nitrogen.
Not ready to ditch the whole lawn? Start small. Convert a parking strip or side yard with creeping thyme, chamomile, or native groundcovers. You’ll reduce your water usage and create something a lot more dynamic than a plain green square.
As weather patterns shift, gardening with water conservation in mind isn’t just eco-friendly—it’s smart.
Design smarter: Group plants by water needs, mulch heavily, and lean into gravel or rock to retain moisture and reduce runoff. In our award-winning “Zone 9” show garden, we showcased drought-tolerant plants that could thrive in the Pacific Northwest without irrigation, and with minimal inputs.
Water-wise doesn’t mean dry and dull. It means intentional, resilient, and low-maintenance once established.
Reusing materials isn’t just good for the planet—it’s one of our favorite ways to add character and personality to a space.
Get creative: We’ve turned reclaimed cedar rounds into benches, old roofing tiles into sculptural edging, and milk crates into gabion walls that double as bug hotels. At the Northwest Flower & Garden Show, these touches were some of the most talked-about features of our award-winning display.
And it’s not just show gardens—our client projects often feature adaptive reuse, too. We’ve turned an old tractor tire into a statement planter to honor childhood memories, and upcycled pottery into colorful focal points.
These elements tell a story—your story. Salvaged materials are one of the most powerful ways we help infuse our clients’ personalities and passions into their gardens. Sustainability can be beautiful and deeply personal.
Contrary to what your HOA may think, a little mess is good.
Let it be: Leaving seed heads up through winter feeds birds and adds architectural interest. Skipping the fall cutback helps protect overwintering insects and gives your plants a more natural rhythm. That slightly wild edge of your yard? It’s doing more ecological good than you think.
Imperfection invites life, and life is the whole point. If it’s not bothering you—or your neighbors—let it be.
Sustainability isn’t just about what we grow. It’s about how we share, connect, and collaborate. Sharing resources, plants, and knowledge builds more than a sustainable garden—it builds a sustainable lifestyle.
Build community: Start by trading seeds with neighbors or go to a plant swap—small acts that help foster connection while reducing waste. Attend local plant sales to support regional growers and discover varieties suited to your climate. These choices don’t just reduce your footprint—they add meaning and story to your space.
Gardening with others helps us all grow more connected—to each other and to the land.
You don’t have to overhaul your entire garden to make a difference. Start with one swap. Then another. These changes add up—to a garden that’s not just sustainable, but meaningful and uniquely yours.
Have a favorite sustainability swap? Want to try one of these? Tell us in the comments or tag @relish.gardens on Instagram—we’d love to see what you’re growing.
