Welcome to the very first GreenBox Action Guide, a new weekly series that provides you with a fun and engaging blueprint to make your yard more beautiful, abundant, and sustainable. Each week, you’ll receive a simple, creative tip to make your outdoor space more eco-friendly while contributing to a healthier planet. We'll introduce you to cool permaculture concepts, tell you all about native birds, bugs, and plants, and give you a few simple steps you can take to put this knowledge into action.
Let’s work together to cultivate sustainability—one yard at a time! The first couple Guides will be free to everyone, but if you want to keep growing become a Member today for as little as $23/month!
Contents
Kick those Winter blues
As the chill of January settles in, it’s tempting to set outdoor projects aside until the warmth of spring returns. However, this is the perfect time to start planning! Whether you’re dreaming of a flourishing veggie garden or a new outdoor water feature, careful preparation right now in the dead of winter ensures your projects are ready to take root as soon as the ground thaws.
In this week's Action Guide we're going to introduce you to one of the most important principles of permaculture: observation. We're also going to help you start to visualize how the sun's energy moves through your yard, kickstarting the energy cycle, and bringing your home ecosystem to life!
Core Concept: How Sunlight Reaches the Earth and Fuels Life
Sunlight is the foundation of life on Earth, providing the energy that powers ecosystems, drives weather patterns, and sustains the planet’s delicate balance. But have you ever wondered how sunlight travels from the Sun to the Earth and sparks the energy cycles we depend on? Understanding this journey reveals just how interconnected we are to all of life and the critical role the Sun plays in our world.
Sunlight's journey to Earth begins in the core of the Sun, where nuclear fusion transforms hydrogen into helium, releasing an immense amount of energy. This energy travels outward through layers of the Sun before radiating into space as sunlight. Traveling at the speed of light, these rays take about 8 minutes and 20 seconds to reach Earth, passing through the vacuum of space to deliver heat, light, and energy critical for life. The Earth's atmosphere filters this sunlight, letting in just the right amount of energy to sustain life while shielding us from harmful radiation.
Once sunlight reaches the Earth, it becomes the driving force behind the planet's energy cycle. Plants, algae, and certain bacteria capture this sunlight through a process called photosynthesis, where they convert solar energy into chemical energy stored in sugars. This stored energy forms the base of the food chain, providing nourishment to herbivores, which in turn sustain carnivores and omnivores. Additionally, sunlight powers the water cycle, warming oceans and driving evaporation, which leads to cloud formation and precipitation. This interconnected system of energy exchange sustains ecosystems across the globe.
Beyond supporting life directly, sunlight also influences Earth’s climate and weather patterns. By heating the Earth's surface unevenly, it creates air and ocean currents that distribute heat and moisture. This dynamic process shapes environments, fuels wind energy, and fosters biodiversity. The Sun’s energy is central to every aspect of life and underscores the intricate balance required to sustain life on Earth. Without the sun, there would be no life on Earth.
Take action: Make a sun map to Find the sunniest spot in your yard
Now that you know how important sunlight is to life, it's time to get outside and find the sunniest place in your yard. After-all, the vast majority of plants require at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight everyday to grow and thrive. Knowing how the sun's rays move through your yard is the most fundamental step in finding just the right spot to start your new garden.
Goal(s)
Create a sun map of your yard.
Find the sunniest spot in your yard for a 100 square foot pollinator or veggie garden.
What you'll need
A camera
Paper and pencil
The Sun Seeker app (or alternatives like Sun Tracker and SunOnTrack)
Time to complete
20 minutes
Action steps
To get started grab everything you need and download the Sun Seeker app from Google Play or the App Store.
Go outside and stand in your front yard.
Open the compass app on your phone and identify which direction is South. You see, in the Northern Hemisphere (where the US is), the Sun moves across the southern sky because of the Earth's tilt. Basically, the sunniest part of your yard is almost always going to be the South-facing side, so its important to get your bearings.
On the piece of paper draw a square to represent your house. Don't worry about how it looks; this map is just for reference. Write an "F" at the top of the square to show where the front yard is. Now write down where each of the Cardinal Directions are: North (N), East (E), South (S), and West (W).
Go to the side of the house that faces the South. It doesn't matter whether the Southern side of your yard is small or shaded for this exercise. The purpose is to learn how to use the Sun Seeker app to help you find the sunniest part of your yard.
Now look around and observe, asking yourself some key questions:
How much tree cover is there?
Are there any places that appear sunny right now?
What area has the most plants growing, or the healthiest-looking turf?
Go over to the spot that looks the sunniest, and sit on the ground. Open the Sun Seeker app and tap the "3D" button at the bottom. That will bring up the Augmented Reality functionality so that you can see how the sun moves across the sky throughout the year. Hold your phone up toward the sky and follow the path of the sun in the summer (the red line). Count the hours of sunlight that spot gets each day and write down the number on your paper in the approximate location on your sun map.
Find at least 5 other locations in your yard and repeat steps 6 and 7 until you've found the areas of your yard that get the most and least sunlight each day.
Go back to the area that gets the most sunlight and snap a few pictures. Be sure to take the pictures form different angles.
Go back inside and put your sun map in your Regeneration Folder.
Plant of the week: Sunflower
Sunflower: A Bright and Cheerful Garden Superstar
Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are iconic plants known for their towering height, vibrant yellow petals, and cheerful demeanor. These beloved flowers are a favorite among gardeners, bees, and birds alike. Whether grown for their beauty, seeds, or ecological benefits, sunflowers are a symbol of joy and resilience. Their ability to follow the sun, a phenomenon called heliotropism, adds a magical touch to any garden. Sunflowers are easy to grow and thrive in various climates, making them a perfect addition to gardens of all sizes.
Key Facts
Sun requirements: 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Water requirements: Sunflowers prefer moist, well-drained soil. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Established plants are drought-tolerant.
Height: 2 to 12 feet tall, with giant varieties towering even higher.
Spread: The spread varies, with most sunflowers reaching 1-3 feet wide.
Natural habitat: Native to North America, sunflowers naturally grow in open fields and sunny, well-drained areas.
When to prune: Pruning is not necessary, but removing spent flowers (deadheading) can encourage more blooms in branching varieties.
When it flowers: Sunflowers bloom in summer, with vibrant flowers lasting several weeks.
When to collect seeds: Seeds can be collected in late summer to early fall when the flower heads dry out, and the seeds loosen easily.
Uses: Sunflowers are grown for their seeds, which can be roasted and eaten, and for oil production. They are also great for wildlife and pollinator gardens.
When to harvest: Harvest seeds when the flower head is dry and the seeds are firm.
Animal of the week: Rough Stink Bug
Often mistaken for the invasive brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys), the native Rough Stink Bug (Brochymena quadripustulata) is a native North American species with a very different role in the ecosystem. Unlike its crop-damaging cousin, this beneficial insect plays a key role in controlling pests in your garden. Its rough, bark-like appearance allows it to blend seamlessly into its surroundings, making it an unobtrusive ally to gardeners. Promoting the presence of this beneficial stink bug can lead to a more balanced and pest-free garden, proving that not all stink bugs are the same.
Key Facts
Size: The rough stink bug is medium-sized, measuring about 12-17 millimeters (approximately ½ to ⅔ of an inch) in length. Its shield-shaped body and rough texture help it resemble tree bark.
Natural habitat: Native to North America, this stink bug is commonly found in woodlands, gardens, orchards, and areas with ample vegetation. It prefers habitats with plenty of trees and shrubs, which provide food and shelter.
What it eats: Brochymena quadripustulata is a predatory species that feeds on soft-bodied insects like caterpillars, beetle larvae, and aphids. Unlike plant-feeding stink bugs, it doesn’t harm crops or ornamental plants.
Why it's good for the garden: This stink bug is a natural pest controller, helping to reduce populations of harmful insects without the need for chemical pesticides. Its predatory nature makes it a valuable addition to organic and sustainable gardens.
How to attract it: To encourage Brochymena quadripustulata, plant native trees and shrubs and maintain a healthy mix of vegetation in your garden. Avoid excessive pesticide use, which can harm beneficial insects.
Fun fact: Brochymena quadripustulata uses its bark-like appearance to camouflage itself from predators, blending so well that it’s often overlooked by both gardeners and prey.
Kidd's Corner: Growing sunshine
This fun activity helps your kiddos understand how sunlight supports plant growth and life by observing how plants react to sunlight and shade.
Materials
2 small pots or containers
Potting soil
Fast-growing seeds (e.g., grass, beans, or radishes)
Water
A sunny windowsill or outdoor spot
A dark corner or box to create shade
Paper and crayons for drawing observations
Instructions
Set Up the Experiment:
Fill both pots with soil and plant the same type of seeds in each pot. Make sure to use equal amounts of seeds and soil.
Label the pots as "Sunlight" and "Shade."
Choose Locations:
Place the "Sunlight" pot on a sunny windowsill or outside in a sunny spot.
Place the "Shade" pot in a dark corner or cover it with a box to block out sunlight.
Water the Seeds:
Help the children water the seeds equally every day. Explain that plants also need water, like sunlight, to grow.
Observe Daily:
Encourage the children to check the pots each day. Ask them to describe what they see and how each plant is growing.
Use crayons and paper to draw what the plants look like on different days.
Discuss the Results:
After a week or two, compare the two pots. Ask questions like:
Which plant is growing better?
What do you think the sunlight is doing to help the plant grow?
Explain how sunlight provides energy for plants to make their own food (photosynthesis), which helps them grow.
Outcome
Your kids will visually see how sunlight affects plant growth, reinforcing the concept that sunlight is essential for life. This activity encourages curiosity, observation, and creativity while fostering a connection to nature.
For extra fun, let the kids decorate the pots before starting the activity!