Why Sustainable Gardening Matters

The 5th ACES Eco Conversation on March 5th at the Newburyport Senior Community Center had a spring in its step last week as the topic was gardening in an environmentally sensitive way. Context was provided by a very illustrative slideshow to share gardening design tips and suggestions. Participants learned how they could evolve home gardens into mini native habitats that support local birds, bees, and butterflies by choosing native plantings. A discussion and Q&A were led by ACES’s Ben Iacono along with our expert guest speaker, horticulturist Molly Janicki.

One of the main messages in the dialogue was that habitat destruction has led to a biodiversity crisis, largely driven by human efforts to cultivate landscapes that prioritize aesthetics over ecology. Traditional landscaping often harms the environment, reducing biodiversity and depleting resources. However, our homes and yards offer an opportunity to reverse some of this damage by creating habitats that support wildlife and foster healthier ecosystems.

Among the 30 attendees were many experienced gardeners who often agreed with Ms. Janicki but also expressed interest in new ideas they heard and indicated they would be incorporating into their gardens this season.

Traditional landscaping is fundamentally about controlling nature to maintain a static environment. The word "maintenance" means to keep things the same. However, nature is always changing. Instead of resisting this natural dynamism, ecological gardening embraces it, creating sustainable landscapes that require less intervention while offering a rich, biodiverse environment.

A traditionally maintained landscape rarely supports diverse wildlife. It often lacks host plants for pollinators, food sources for birds, and shelter for small creatures. In contrast, an ecologically friendly garden fosters life. Imagine seeing hummingbirds flitting about, salamanders hiding under leaves, fireflies lighting up the night, and painted turtles basking in the sun. These interactions with nature provide significant benefits, including lowered stress, improved sleep, reduced blood pressure, and increased time outdoors for children. Simply put, reconnecting with nature can improve our well-being while revitalizing ecosystems.

Sustainable gardening is more than just choosing native plants; how you care for them is just as important. The traditional practice of clearing all plant debris in spring and fall is outdated and ecologically harmful. Leaves, stems, and organic matter provide habitat for insects, fireflies, and moths while naturally enriching the soil. Instead of removing everything, clean paths and access points but leave garden beds undisturbed. And since not all weeds are bad, it was suggested that before pulling a plant, we need to identify it. If it’s native, you might want to keep it. If it’s invasive, remove it promptly to prevent further spread.

Many traditional gardens feature neatly clipped shrubs, often pruned into geometric shapes. This high-maintenance aesthetic is both unnatural and labor-intensive, especially for seniors. A new gardening aesthetic, with fewer clipped shrubs looking like green meatballs, will save time and effort as well as entail a smaller expense for fertilizer and pesticides. Traditional landscaping relies on large, open spaces between plants, often covered with layers of mulch. However, nature abhors a vacuum—bare soil invites weeds. Instead, plant densely with native species that naturally suppress weeds while providing ecological benefits.

A sustainable garden is never static. Start with a simple, primarily native plant palette and build diversity over time. Include fast-growing early succession plants to cover the ground quickly and plan for different growth rates. By designing for natural evolution, your garden will remain resilient and require less effort over time.

As a realtor, John Wells is always examining the health of gardens. He is a director on the ACES Board of Directors and can be reached at john@wellscorealty.com.

ACES believes we can make a BIG difference together. Team members invite you to stay updated on environmental matters by subscribing to our monthly newsletter via the “Join Our List” link on this page. Please consider joining our community of stewards who are committed to Make Every Day Earth Day by contacting acesnewburyport@gmail.com.

This educational column first appeared in The Daily News of Newburyport on March 14, 2025.

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