Eco-Friendly Practices for Your Garden
Whether you want to save some cash, support local flora and fauna, or reduce your carbon footprint, going green means looking to the future.
As we look towards protecting our planet and greener initiatives, gardens are the perfect space to start if you want to begin making your home more environmentally friendly. Whether you want to save some cash, support local flora and fauna, or reduce your carbon footprint, going green means looking to the future.
From making your outside space a paradise for wildlife to conserving water, there are many changes you can make. Here are some tips to help you transform your garden into an eco-friendly paradise.
Compost and recycle organic waste
Composting is one of the most efficient ways to reduce your waste and improve your soil health at the same time. Compost can be made up of kitchen scraps, grass clippings and any other types of garden waste. This then reduces, making a nutrient-rich soil for your plants.
Grass trimmings are an easy way to bulk up your compost, so it is worth thinking about that process. Look into purchasing low-emission lawn care tools or opt for manual or electric instead of petrol-powered ones.
Install a rainwater harvesting system
In Britain, rainwater harvesting is one of the easier gardening practices! Collecting precipitation is a helpful way to reduce your reliance on the mains water, especially during dry spells.
A rainwater collection system doesn’t have to be fancy – you can simply connect some water butts to your existing guttering. With lidded butts, you can store the water and use it to water your plants, fill paddling pools or wash mucky dogs.
Collecting precipitation is a helpful way to reduce your reliance on the mains water, especially during dry spells.
Compost can be made up of kitchen scraps, grass clippings and any other types of garden waste. This then reduces, making a nutrient-rich soil for your plants.
For a natural pesticide add mint plants between cabbages or cauliflowers, to confuse and repel flea beetles.
Install energy-efficient outdoor lighting
Lighting is essential if you want to be able to enjoy your garden in the evenings and on darker days. Sol-powered or LED lighting are your best choices. These bulbs consume less electricity which helps to reduce your carbon footprint.
Practice organic pest control
Traditional chemical pesticides have been found to harm wildlife and disrupt important ecosystems. Not only does this harm the local area, but it can also disrupt further afield.
Companion planting is a nice way to boost the variety in your garden whilst keeping away unwanted bugs. If you plant a lot of cabbages or cauliflowers, add some mint plants between them to confuse and repel flea beetles.
Sol-powered or LED lighting are your best choices. These bulbs consume less electricity which helps to reduce your carbon footprint.
You should also think carefully about placement – if you don’t spread them around properly you will end up with unwanted dark corners. Pathway lights are always a safe choice, preventing any trips or falls. Lighting around seating areas is also helpful to enjoy long, summer evenings.
Create a wildlife-friendly habitat
Biodiversity is a concept that more and more people are trying to champion. By turning your garden into a wildlife paradise, you are encouraging local animals to thrive. Installing bird boxes and bird feeders is a simple way to help, but if you want to do more then leave some logs or rocks around for smaller critters. You can also plant a wide range of plants to encourage pollinators, birds and other helpful insects.