PROJECT PLANNING
WHETHER YOU HAVE A BALCONY OR A SPRAWLING GARDEN, THESE ECO-FRIENDLY CHANGES WILL MAKE YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE (AND THE PLANET) A HAPPIER PLACE
FEATURE TAMARA KELLY
E verygarden has the potential to become a beautiful, natural space that plays a crucial role in improving and supporting the wellbeing of people, wildlife and the planet. The Royal Horticultural Society (rhs.org.uk) says: ‘A sustainable garden will limit use of concrete and other hard landscaping products, use a minimum of irrigation and maintain fertility with a minimum of boughtin fertilisers and manures, using composting to generate nutrients. ‘Sustainable gardening protects the environment from damage, flooding and contamination,’ says the RHS. Eco-friendly gardening limits production of greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide and methane, and captures carbon in the garden soil, helping to counter climate change. ‘Use of scarce resources such as water is also reduced by sustainable gardening practices.’
1. BALANCE HARD AND SOFT LANDSCAPING
‘Choose a design that has a good balance between hard and soft landscaping, ideally at least 60% soft landscape,’ advises James Scott, MD of The Garden Company (thegardenco.co.uk). Opt for soft landscaping that is ‘self-sufficient and doesn’t require “extreme maintenance” techniques, for example excessive use of fertiliser.’
2. CHOOSE MINDFUL MATERIALS
When planning materials for any form of landscaping, be mindful. ‘Think of the impact of every material you use in your garden,’ encourages Phoebe Aubury at Natural Design Studio (naturaldesign studio.com). ‘Try to utilise recycled and reclaimed materials as much as possible and think of sustainable solutions to your hard landscaping.’ Using logs, cob and earth bags will make use of natural, replenishable resources and create beautiful and sustainable solutions for decorative or retaining walls, as well as saving on garden landscaping costs.
3. TRY POLLINATOR PLANTING
‘Opening your garden to nature is crucial to creating a sustainable garden,’ says Phoebe. ‘Each wildlife species has a role in creating and maintaining a balanced environment. Offering our gardens as a nature reserve can be part of the long-term solution to species decline. Things you can do to encourage wildlife are planting shrubs and trees, leaving gaps in the fence, installing a pond, creating wildflower patches and planting plenty of native, pollinator-friendly plants.’
4. REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE AND REPURPOSE
‘This mantra applies to gardening as it does to everything else,’ says James Scott. ‘Some simple examples include: using your garden waste to make your own compost; repurposing unwanted window panes as lids for cold frames; repairing garden furniture rather than replacing it – or buy second hand.’
