The Evergreen Thumb banner

Cultivating Resilience in a Changing Climate

This is a list of Evergreen Thumb episodes related to Climate Change. The WSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer program teaches ways to create resilient landscapes adapted to our changing climate.

Warmer winters, hotter summers, flooding, and droughts affect plant growth and impact the many organisms that interact with plants (insects, pollinators, diseases, and microbes). Home gardeners have an important role to play in combating climate change. Choosing human-powered tools like push mowers, rakes, and hand clippers over gas-powered tools such as lawnmowers and leaf blowers can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Choosing resilient plants well adapted to your soil and climate and using research-based horticulture practices to manage soil will help keep your landscape resilient. Composting on-site closes the loop on waste, yields valuable nutrients, and helps to reduce methane emissions from landfills.

For additional information on how WSU Extension Master Gardeners are cultivating resilience in a changing climate, visit the WSU Extension Master Gardener program website.

Defensible Space: Practical Steps to Wild Fire Resilience

Mike Karvia, a retired Assistant Fire Chief of 30 years at The Pacific County Fire District No. 1 and Master Gardener of 10 years joins us to discuss how to create defensible space to help homeowners be more resilient against the threat of fire.

Surviving Winter’s Wrath: Preparing Your Garden for Winter Weather – Episode 005

In this episode, Bonnie Orr, a Chelan/Douglas County WSU Extension Master Gardener, discusses various strategies for preparing gardens for winter weather. She emphasizes the importance of understanding your local environment, including factors like sunlight exposure, climate patterns (such as El Niño or La Niña), and the unique features of your yard, such as slopes, trees, and shade.