Being A Greener Gardener

We have lots of good ideas to help you be a greener gardener. In some cases, simple changes or different habits will make big differences so, if you aren’t already, we hope you will want to try out some of our ideas at home!

Grow Plants!

1. Plants not only improve the local habitat, they reduce carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere, helping to offset the emissions created by our homes and workplaces.  
2. Look for locally grown plants so you can reduce your carbon footprint
3. Have a go at growing your own produce. Not only is it good for you, satisfying and rewarding, it reduces food miles and contributes to reducing your carbon footprint.
4. Companion planting, where you plant  near or next to each other to assist and benefit each other, can be very effective for pest control, reducing the need to use chemicals in the garden
5. Contribute to bio-diversity with a wildlife garden, planting insect friendly plants that will attract beneficial insects to your garden
6. Houseplants do more than just brighten up a room with colour, they clean the air by removing toxic air emissions

Conserve Water

1. Collect rainwater in butts! According to Waterwise, your roof collects about 85,000 litres of rain each year which then just runs straight into the sewers. This could fill 450 water butts with free water so you could water your garden, your houseplants, or wash your car for free!
2. Don’t over water. Giving your plants' roots a good soaking once or twice a week in dry weather is much better than lightly watering them every day because most of that water just evaporates away. Watering in the morning or late in the evening will also mean less water will evaporate from your garden and more will get to the roots, where you actually want it to go. Do remember, though, that new plantlings need regular watering until they are established
3. Include drought resistant plants in your garden that require little watering, including: crocus, geranium, hydrangea, acacia & conifers
4. Mulching is one of the greatest things you can do for your garden. Not only will it keep weeds away, it will also keep the soil cool, decrease evaporation, and reduce soil compaction. Mulches such as pebbles, gravel and chipped bark or recycled rubber chippings should be applied as a five to eight centimetre layer but do avoid mulching too close to plant stems as this can lead to rotting in winter.
5. To save water outside, use a watering can or a hose pipe with a trigger nozzle instead of a sprinkler. Your hosepipe can use as much as 18 litres of water a minute. Sprinklers can use as much as 1,000 litres of water per hour-that's more than a family of four can use in a whole day.
6. Why not try automatic watering with a drip irrigation system controlled manually or using a timer which manages the water you use and therefore reduces wastage
7. Mowing your lawn with the blades on a higher setting allows the grass, cut longer, to retain water naturally.

Compost waste

1. You really do get something for nothing if you compost your waste! Not only is it a great way to recycle unwanted waste, but it contributes to a more beautiful garden as it increases fertility and improves moisture control around flower beds, trees and borders
2. A wormery is a great idea if you are tight on space or have limited waste. A wormery is an enclosed bin which uses special types of worms to help break down organic matter

Buy Sustainable products

1. Look for the FSC logo when buying wood products for the garden, including furniture, raised beds and bird tables. The tree logo means the wood has come from a managed, renewable resource or post consumer waste and you can therefore buy with confidence in the knowledge that you are not contributing to global forest destruction #
2. Look for reduced peat or peat free products when buying compost