Green gardens reduce heat stress and flooding

Today on June 2 is Heat Action Day for the first time in the Netherlands. On this day, North Holland municipalities, safety regions and other organizations pay attention to the major risks of heat, also called the silent killer of climate change. We are also participating and today announce the nominees of the "Most Extraordinary Green Garden" contest. A green garden helps reduce heat stress and flooding.

If it is hot for several days in a row, you may suffer from heat stress. It becomes more difficult to concentrate, headaches occur more quickly and you become tired or dizzy. Especially in urban areas with many buildings and roads, heat stress can cause a lot of inconvenience. Bricks, concrete and asphalt absorb and return a lot of heat. So do tiles in the garden. More greenery instead of tiles in the garden provides cooling and reduces the risk of flooding. During heavy rainfall, water can sink into the soil more quickly.

Everyone's move

Hoogheemraad Klazien Hartog, portfolio holder Integral Water Management Urban Area: "The climate is changing, it is raining heavily more often or, on the contrary, it is dry and warm for longer periods. The district water board works together with municipalities and PWN on climate-proofing our area. But we cannot do it alone; residents and businesses also have to adapt their own environment in order to reduce the effects of heat and flooding."

Most unusual green garden

To inspire residents to make their gardens greener, we called on social media to submit photos of the most unusual gardens in our area. The three nominees for the title "Most Outstanding Green Garden" are:

  • Jan Poel (Heerhugowaard) who has 2,900m2 of greenery as his backyard that includes a very special tree that grows upside down;
  • Freek van Vegten (Schagen) with a miniature Dutch village in his front yard;
  • Ab Plugge (Heerhugowaard) overlooking a community garden created on the roof of the residents' garage in the Lapis Lazuli housing complex.

HHNK's social media channels feature the remaining photos and you can cast your vote. The final winner will be announced during National Garden Week from June 8-16, 2025.

Tips

The nominated gardens of Jan Poel, Freek van Vegten and Ab Plugge