Climate Change and the Garden

Climate Change and the Garden 

By: Vicki Chambers, Burlington Garden Club for Burlington Buzz magazine | Fall 2025

From warmer weather, unpredictable rainfall and diminishing species of plants, insects and animals, it may feel like we can’t have a positive environmental impact as individuals. 

But gardeners can make a difference. Choosing plants native to New England is the first critical step.  These plants help conserve water and improve soil along with offering support for many birds, bees, moths and insects that are an integral part of sustaining our environment. 

Secondly, consider different garden types that adapt well to your available space and support wildlife while looking beautiful. Do you have a sunny yard?  Only have room for containers?  Want to manage a wet yard? How can you make your current garden better?  Here’s what could work for your situation: 

Meadow Gardens often replace a portion of lawn, especially in sunny yards.  These gardens utilize more grassy plants than pollinator gardens but also include wildflowers for pollination support.  Meadows are less expensive to maintain, are more casual, less structured, and will conserve water once established.  

Pollinator Gardens attract wildlife like hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, moths (and even bats!).  This garden type contains native plant species that attract pollinators because of their color and nectar.  Choose plants that bloom at different times, ensuring food availability through as many seasons as possible.  Once established pollinator gardens also require less water. Even small shady spaces can sustain native pollinator plants.  You can utilize trellises, fences, rock walls and containers to support many native plants. 

Rain Gardens are designed to slow down and divert water runoff from roofs, driveways and lawns. This reduces wastewater draining into storm sewers, while supporting native plants.  Rain gardens require a bit more planning, but there are a multitude of resources available to help with that planning. 

The small steps you make next year will be added to those of other gardeners around you – creating a large positive environmental impact - by increasing biodiversity, conserving resources, and improving local ecosystems.  

Check out the Resource page of the Burlington Garden Club for plant lists, articles and references that can help you plan next year’s garden.