Recently, Courtney Shea, Chair of the Carbon Neutral Task Force of the Diocese of East Tennessee, sat down with another member of the task force, Jessica Posey-Dowty, PhD, to talk about sustainable gardening for parishes and what drives her concern for this particular consideration as it relates to carbon neutrality.
Below is an article written by Jessica Posey-Dowty, PhD on sustainable gardening for parishes along with a treasure trove of scriptural references.
Sustainable Gardening in Parishes: Caring for Creation Through Faith and Stewardship
Jessica Posey-Dowty, PhD
Introduction
Sustainable gardening is more than a method of growing plants—it is an act of stewardship, gratitude, and care for God’s creation. Churches and parishes can use gardens not only to beautify their grounds, but also to support local ecosystems, reduce environmental impact, provide food, and teach communities about faithful responsibility toward the Earth.
The Bible repeatedly reminds believers that the Earth belongs to God and that humanity has been entrusted with its care.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.”
— Psalm 24:1
Parish gardens can become living ministries that reflect these biblical values through conservation, restoration, and hospitality toward all living things.
1. What Is Sustainable Gardening? [1-3]
Sustainable gardening is the practice of growing plants in ways that protect the environment, conserve natural resources, and support long-term ecological health. Instead of relying heavily on chemicals, excessive watering, or energy-intensive systems, sustainable gardening works with nature rather than against it.
Key principles include:
- Using native and perennial plants
- Conserving water through mulching and rain collection
- Building healthy soil with compost
- Avoiding harmful pesticides
- Supporting pollinators and beneficial insects
- Reducing fossil fuel use and carbon emissions
In a parish setting, sustainable gardening can include:
- Community vegetable gardens
- Pollinator gardens for bees and butterflies
- Native flower beds
- Fruit trees and herb gardens
- Composting ministries
- Prayer or meditation gardens
Sustainable gardening reflects the biblical calling to be caretakers of creation.
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”
— Genesis 2:15
Rather than exploiting the land, sustainable gardening seeks to preserve and renew it for future generations.
2. What Is an Estimate of the Amount of CO2 Released in 1/2 Acre of Commercial Annuals Planted vs. Perennials? [4-7]
Commercial annual flower production and perennial plantings have very different environmental impacts, especially regarding carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Commercial Annuals and CO2 Emissions
Commercial annual plants—such as seasonal bedding flowers commonly planted in churches, parks, and landscapes—often require intensive production methods. These may include:
- Heated greenhouses
- Artificial lighting
- Plastic pots and trays
- Synthetic fertilizers
- Frequent irrigation
- Transportation and yearly replanting
- Soil tilling and machinery use
Because annuals are replanted every year, the soil is repeatedly disturbed, which releases stored carbon back into the atmosphere.
Researchers estimate that a 1/2 acre planted in commercial annuals may release or generate approximately:
- 2 to 5 tons of CO2 annually, depending on production methods, transportation distance, fertilizer use, and greenhouse heating.
Heated greenhouse production is one of the largest contributors to these emissions.
Perennials and Carbon Storage
Perennials return year after year and develop deeper root systems that help store carbon in the soil rather than releasing it. Once established, perennial gardens usually require:
- Less fertilizer
- Less water
- Less fuel and machinery
- Minimal soil disturbance
- Fewer replacement plants
A 1/2 acre perennial planting may:
- Emit substantially less CO2 overall
- Potentially store 1 to 3 tons of CO2 per year in plant roots and soil organic matter
Over time, perennial systems can shift from being carbon sources to carbon sinks.
Why This Matters for Parishes
When parishes choose perennial gardens over large areas of seasonal annual plantings, they:
- Reduce yearly emissions
- Lower maintenance costs
- Improve soil health
- Support pollinators and wildlife
- Demonstrate faithful environmental stewardship
Even small church properties can become meaningful examples of caring for creation through thoughtful land management.
“The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.”
— Proverbs 12:10
This biblical principle of compassionate care can extend beyond animals to the land, water, plants, and ecosystems entrusted to humanity.
3. Why Sustainable Gardening Is Good for the Soil and Beneficial Insects [8-11]
Healthy Soil
Healthy soil is alive. It contains:
- Earthworms
- Fungi
- Microorganisms
- Nutrients
- Organic matter
Conventional gardening methods that rely heavily on chemicals and excessive tilling can damage this living ecosystem. Sustainable gardening improves soil by:
- Adding compost
- Preventing erosion
- Retaining moisture
- Increasing organic matter
- Supporting microbial life
Perennial roots also stabilize the soil year-round and help prevent nutrient runoff into streams and rivers.
Biblical Reflection on Soil
Jesus frequently used soil as a symbol of spiritual growth.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it.”
— Matthew 13:23
Just as healthy soil produces abundant crops, healthy stewardship produces abundant life.
Beneficial Insects
Sustainable gardens provide habitat for:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Ladybugs
- Dragonflies
- Praying mantises
- Native pollinators
These insects are essential for pollination and natural pest control.
Without pollinators:
- Many fruits and vegetables could not grow
- Ecosystems would become unstable
- Food supplies would suffer
Avoiding chemical pesticides helps protect these creatures and preserves biodiversity. Parish pollinator gardens can become educational tools for children and families while visibly demonstrating care for God’s creation.
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.” — Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 6:26
4. What Life Do We Support Through Sustainable Gardening? [12-15]
Sustainable gardening supports bees, butterflies, birds, earthworms, pollinators, beneficial insects, amphibians, reptiles, native plants, and trees. Healthy parish gardens provide food, shelter, and nesting habitats for wildlife.
“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” — Genesis 1:31 (NIV)
5. Native Plants for Parish Gardens in Upper East Tennessee [16-19]
Recommended native plants include:
- Purple Coneflower
- Butterfly Milkweed
- Wild Bergamot
- Black-Eyed Susan
- Goldenrod
- Little Bluestem
- Switchgrass
- American Beautyberry
- Virginia Sweetspire
Native plants require less water, fewer fertilizers, and little pesticide use while supporting local pollinators and birds.
“The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus.” — Isaiah 35:1 (NIV)
References
[1]. United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Sustainable Landscaping Principles. Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, updated 2023.
[2]. National Wildlife Federation. Garden for Wildlife Program. Reston, VA: National Wildlife Federation, updated 2024.
[3]. Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV), 2011.
[4]. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Climate Change and Land: An IPCC Special Report.Geneva, Switzerland: IPCC, 2019.
[5]. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Soil Carbon Management and Conservation. Washington,DC: USDA, updated 2022.
[6]. Siddique, I.A., Grados, D., Chen, J. et al. Soil organic carbon stock change following perennialization: a meta-analysis. Agron. Sustain. Dev. 43, 58 (2023).
[7]. Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV),2011.
[8] Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. Pollinator Conservation Resource Center and Habitat Guides.Portland, OR: Xerces Society, updated 2024.
[9]. United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Soil Health. Washington,DC: USDA NRCS, updated 2025.
[10]. University of Tennessee Extension. Publications on Composting, Pollinator Gardens, and Soil Health.Knoxville, TN: The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, 2021–2024.
[11]. Holy Bible, New International Version, 2011.
[12] National Audubon Society. Native Habitat and Bird Conservation Resources. New York, NY: National Audubon Society, updated 2024.
[13]. Monarch Joint Venture. Monarch Butterfly Conservation Publications. St. Paul, MN: Monarch Joint Venture, updated 2023.
[14]. Pollinator Partnership. Ecosystem Biodiversity and Pollinator Resources. San Francisco, CA: Pollinator Partnership, updated 2022.
[15]. Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV), 2011.
[16]. Tennessee Native Plant Society. Conserving and Celebrating Native Plants. Nashville, TN: Tennessee Native Plant Society, founded 1977, website accessed May 17, 2026.
[17]. University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. Pollinator and Native Garden Guidance. Knoxville, TN: University of Tennessee Gardens and Extension Service, publications and resources accessed May 17,2026.
[18]. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Native Plant Database and Southeastern Native Plant Resources. Austin, TX: The University of Texas at Austin, established 1982, database accessed May 17, 2026.
[19]. Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV), 2011.