We all want a ‘greener’ garden… but does ‘greener’ mean more sustainable? Not always. Part of living sustainably is working with what nature provides naturally. In the 21st century – especially in the western world - we have become accustomed to not having to compromise on anything.
If we want strawberries out of season, we can. If we want to grow a palm tree in our front garden, we will. And if we want the greenest grass all year round… we just turn on the sprinkler. But while we may be basking in a green oasis and marvelling on the mini paradise we have created… are we just contributing to a problem raging outside in the ‘real world’?
At 100Green we tend to err on the side of positivity – and we think that you can still create a beautiful space to enjoy – and enjoy creating it – whilst making sure you are doing it in the most sustainable way.
As ever, the internet can be a daunting place. So, we have collected what we think are the best tips on growing a ‘green and sustainable’ outdoor space.
How to grow a green and sustainable garden
1. Sustainable style
When selecting sustainable outdoor decor, consider eco-friendly options like rugs crafted from recycled plastic bottles, which blend style with environmental responsibility, making them a fantastic addition to any outdoor living area.
2. Compost with care
Going peat-free in your garden is indeed a more environmentally friendly approach to gardening. Peat (not Pete) is a natural material formed over thousands of years in wetland areas called peatlands or bogs.
Left un-touched, our peatlands provide the perfect wildlife habitat and capture carbon, drawing it out of our atmosphere. By harvesting it for our gardens, we are depleting natures natural defence against climate change.
There are a wide range of peat-free alternatives available at garden centres. Look for bark, waste sheep’s wool and even the bi-product of anaerobic digestion (that’s the process that creates our 100% green gas!). The RHS has plenty of advice on what you can buy to avoid peat based compost.
3. No nasties – weed free lawns?
Keeping your garden and lawn weed free may be your aspiration, but many conventional weed killers can harm our environment. The kindest way to maintain your garden is to dig up your weeds manually – by the roots!
If you do it regularly, you’ll only need to spend a few minutes on it each time. And in fact, the healthier your lawn and garden is is, the less you’ll see weeds growing.
If, however, you have a poorly maintained garden, there are organic alternatives. Even just pouring boiling water on a weed can kill it off. Gardeners World have some great tried and tested alternatives you can try.
4. But even the lawn needs to go wild occasionally!
Why not allow your lawn to grow a bit longer by mowing less often. This can encourage wildflowers and provide more habitat for pollinators.
5. A splash of paint
When it's time to refresh your outdoor wooden fences or patio furniture – think about up-cycling what you already have. Just adding a splash of outdoor paint or varnish can avoid needless waste.
Choosing the right paint is crucial. Opt for chemical-free, water-based paint that's specifically formulated for exterior use and tested for safety around plants and animals. Lakeland Paints have won awards for their eco-friendly paint!
6. No space? Grow upwards!
Gardening can be good for the soul and connects you to nature, helping to remind us why it’s so important to protect it. But what do you do if you only have a tiny space? Grow up! A vertical garden is a perfect solution when space isn't an option. Many vertical boxes can be created using recycled materials. Urban Earth have some fabulous vertical gardens to get you inspired.
7. Check out your local nursery
Local nurseries are a way of reducing your garden's carbon footprint. Many of these nurseries grow their own plants and flowers, which haven't spent days traveling in lorries. You'll often find their prices are very reasonable compared to the larger garden centres.
8. Rain, rain, don't go away - collect It for another day
We have enough of it here in the UK! So collect rainwater in a water butt or other container. Using rainwater instead of tap water reduces your carbon footprint (did you know that water usage is intrinsically connected to energy usage?).
As we discovered when we transformed our tiny outdoor space at the 100Green offices, there are cheap slimline water butts that take up very little space.
9. Solar power – let there be light… and water!
Install solar-powered lights to shine a light on your sustainable garden. They not only look beautiful but can help make your garden more secure and during summer months, they illuminate until the early hours.
But did you know you can also use solar power to switch on your irrigation system? That’s what we used in our office outdoor space. Irrigatia say that watering your garden with their automated solar solution can help reduce water wastage by up to 90% in comparison to a traditional garden hose!
10. Friendly bird feeders
Involve your children in an eco-friendly project by crafting a charming little bird feeder from recycled materials. Here’s some quick inspiration:
- Save an empty toilet paper or paper towel tube. Or use a pine cone!
- Coat it with peanut butter
- Roll it in birdseed until covered.
- Slide onto a tree branch or tie a string around it to hang
Simple!
11. Disappearing pots
Biodegradable pots reduce plastic waste and can be planted directly in the ground, eliminating transplant shock and providing nutrients to the soil as they decompose. Find them in your local garden centre.