World Earth Day – Activities for Your Garden and Shed

April 22^nd is World Earth Day around the world. But what’s it all about?

And, more importantly, is it going to throw a spanner in the works for your shed spring cleaning plans?

What is World Earth Day and Why Do We Celebrate It?

World Earth Day started out as just Earth Day on April 22^nd 1970. It came about in reaction to climate change and the potential climate crisis. It’s a day dedicated to protecting the environment. It also has a focus on conservation in the face of global warming.

In fact, World Earth Day is the largest civic event that people join together for. The goals of World Earth Day are:

• To protect endangered species
• Lessen the effects of climate change
• Halt global warming
• Tackle industrial pollution

So what can you do in your humble garden shed, or out in your garden to help?

Well, we’ve got some great World Earth Day activities lined up for you, but first, let’s have a look at some fun facts about World Earth Day.

Facts About World Earth Day

• • It was first celebrated on April 22, 1970
  • On the first Earth Day, 20 million Americans protested outside against environmental ignorance
  • Earth Day was founded by Gaylord Nelson whilst working as a US senator
  • On Earth Day 2012, more than 100,000 people rode bikes in China to reduce CO2 emissions and save fuel
  • 2020 was the 50th anniversary of Earth Day
  • The President of the USA will host a Leaders’ Climate Summit on Earth Day, April 22, 2021
  • Approximately 1 billion people celebrate World Earth Day each year!
  • It’s always on April 22^nd

Wow! Looks like World Earth Day has come a long way since 1970. 

So do you want to have some fun in the garden and get the kids involved? Or maybe you just want to see how you can pull your weight whilst tucked away in your outdoor shed?

Either way, check out these fun activities when celebrating World Earth Day this April 22^nd.

World Earth Day Activities

Create a recycling centre

Recycling is one of the best ways you can help on World Earth Day – even from your very own shed or home.

Use your storage shed or garage to set up a designated recycling centre. Add to those three (or four!) bins that we’ve all now got and make it fun for the whole family.

Why not reuse old bins, buckets, and even watering cans as waste receptacles? You could even put spent batteries in a disused watering can. Or, you could have decorative bins for paper, plastic, and glass.

Get the kids out to the shed and let them run wild by sorting out the recycling. They won’t even know they’re doing you a favour! See – work smarter not harder!

Plant a tree

When it comes to World Earth Day, it’s no surprise that we look towards the earth and how we can be kind to it.

And that’s why planting a tree in your garden can be such a great way to give back. Planting a tree can help spread awareness and appreciation for our environment. Even if it’s just between your family and friends!

Not only do trees and shrubs make your garden look better, but they also provide shade, shelter for wildlife, and pollution control.

Just imagine how nice your outdoor garden building could look in a few years time surrounded by trees.

And if you just can’t wait, check out our guide to the fastest growing trees in the UK!

Grow your own food

There’s nothing quite like a meal that you’ve had to earn. And if you’ve got a little space by your shed or out in your garden, why not get to growing?

Kids will love contributing to your garden and mucking around with worms. So why not enlist them to help you start your own vegetable patch?

Teach your kids (and yourself) about sustainability by planting some herbs, fruit, or vegetables. And if you want to start small, simply learn how to make your own seed mix.

Upcycle

Remember earlier we told you to make a battery-bin out of a watering can? Well, guess what – we were way ahead of the trend (sort of). 

Upcycling is all the rage these days and the perfect time to get into it is World Earth Day. It’s the ultimate life hack for gardens on a budget. So if it’s here to stay and you can’t throw it away – use it this Earth Day! 

Upcycle things like old milk bottles and plastic pots to create planters. Give objects (and your garden) a new lease on life!

So, hopefully, you should have more than enough Earth Day activities to keep the whole family busy. And if that’s not enough, there’s a quiz at the end of this post!

But what about you personally in your outdoor shed? How can you help?

World Earth Day in Your Shed

Before we leave you to get your thinking hat on, let’s have a look at some little hacks you can use in your shed on World Earth Day.

Be energy efficient 

Reducing your energy consumption can decrease your carbon footprint. And you’ll feel a little swell in your wallet to boot!

So, if you’ve got a wooden or metal shed that you often get cold in, think about:

• Installing double-glazing
• Caulking the base
• Insulating with wool, fibreglass batts, or even bubble wrap!
• Using a small electric heater or a tubular-heater
• Buying a draught excluder
• Sealing window frame gaps with expanding foam

Regulating your shed’s temperature can save both money and the planet in the long run. And if you want more tips on insulating your shed, check out our guide. 

Get your bike out 

You could save money on petrol if your work is close enough. And with everyone working from home – there’s no excuse!

Either way, getting your bike out more often can help reduce the number of emissions you’re contributing this Earth Day. Plus, getting your bike out of the shed for a bit means you can see if it’s contributing to any damp.

That’s right, even moist tools and equipment can affect your shed with damp.

Use earth-friendly cleaners

When treating and staining sheds or treating mildew, we can forget about just how many chemicals we’re using.

If you’re not careful when treating your outdoor garden buildings, these chemicals might bond to surrounding plants.

So instead, why not mix up some earth-friendly cleaners for mould and damp this Earth Day?

Check out this handy guide for how you can treat damp in a wooden shed with just:

• Vinegar
• Bicarbonate of soda
• Lemon juice
• A sponge
• Water

Use less water 

And speaking of water – try to go easy on it this World Earth Day. Can your garden go a day without watering perhaps?

If not, thinking about how you can make your garden more efficient. Is your garden filled with plants that do well in warm weather, for example? Or, maybe you could lay some irrigation and cover it with mulch.

There you have it – you’ve got loads to think about this World Earth Day. Now, before you start saving the world, get the family around and take our World Earth Day quiz below.

World Earth Day Quiz

And if all this talk of sheds and gardening has got you planning an upgrade, check out our guide to preparing your guide for a new shed.

FAQs