#climatechangeadaptation

#Virginia - #ClimateChange and Its Effect on #Gardening – 2025 By Elaine Mills, Extension Master Gardener, January 22, 2025 Climate-Conscious Gardening "To quote David W. Wolfe, Professor of Plant & Soil Ecology at #CornellUniversity, 'We are in the unfortunate situation of being the first generation of gardeners, ever, who cannot rely on historical weather records to tell us what our climate is, or what to expect in the future.' "Join Master Gardeners in the Arlington/Alexandria unit of Virginia #CooperativeExtension in a series of monthly articles updated from their original posting in 2021 as we explore the topic of climate change and practical actions individuals can take in their home landscapes in response. This month, we’ll present an overview." Read more: https://mgnv.org/climate-change/climate-change-and-its-effect-on-gardening-2025/ #SolarPunkSunday #VirginiaCooperativeExtension #ClimateChangeGardening #ClimateChangeAdaptation #Drought #HeavyRains #WeatherExtremes #FoodSystems #FoodSecurity #BuildingResiliency

So, I ended up emptying both our rainbarrels during a dry spell (110 gallons of water), using the water for not only my home garden, but my community garden plot as well. After a heavy, but brief, rainstorm this week, both barrels are full again. #Rainbarrels help prevent water from overflowing storm drain systems and they provide water during droughts. Make sure you use a tight screen to keep mosquitoes out (I replaced the screens that came with my rainbarrels, and I don't even have to use Bt now). The Case for Rain Barrels By Felicia Hokenstad, May 7, 2026 "As #ClimateChange continues to impact our weather patterns, the preservation and efficient use of water resources have become pressing issues for many communities. One innovative solution that is gaining traction is the rain barrel. These straightforward tools not only help us conserve water but also alleviate the burden on our #stormwater systems. A rain barrel is essentially a tank for collecting and storing rainwater from roof downspouts, typically holding around 55 gallons. By capturing this valuable resource, residents can reuse it for watering #gardens, landscaping, and other non-potable needs. This practice has multiple benefits: it reduces #reliance on municipal water [or well water], provides naturally soft rainwater—which is gentler on plants than treated tap water—and lessens stormwater runoff that can contribute to flooding and streambank erosion." Learn more: https://www.cleanriverpartners.org/our-stories/the-case-for-rain-barrels #SolarPunkSunday #ClimateChangeGardening #ClimateChangeAdaptation #WaterIsLife #Drought #HeavyRains