Sustainability, and how we go about achieving it, is becoming increasingly important. It can be beneficial to us and to the environment if we all choose to improve sustainability within our homes and gardens.
Here are a few top tips on how to be a little more sustainable within your garden:
1. Composting
One of the easiest ways to make your garden more sustainable is through composting. Nowadays, you don’t need a huge space for a compost heap, a compost bin is compact and does the trick just as well. There are many household waste products you can add to your compost pile, including: vegetable trimmings, tea bags, grass cuttings and plant cuttings. Not only is compost sustainable in terms of recycled household waste, but it also requires very minimal effort for such a significant return.
2. Investing in all-weather furniture
During the summer months, there is nothing better than enjoying your garden and spending quality time outdoors. That is why many outdoor living furniture companies now create beautiful, sustainable cane furniture that can be kept in premium condition year-round just by covering it with tarp. Sustainability can help you save money therefore, it is best to invest in something that won’t quickly depreciate over a short period of time.
3. Succession sowing
Succession sowing revolves around sowing seeds little and often, in batches as opposed to all at once. This can increase your overall yield because they can be pickled in stages, providing continuous crops throughout the season. Succession sowing is suitable for the following: carrots, French beans, peas, salads, and herbs such as coriander. Growing your own fruit and vegetables not only encourages you to be more self-sufficient, but it is also very rewarding when preparing dishes with your own home grown vegetables.
4. Save your seeds
An underused yet simple way of achieving a sustainable garden is to start re-planting old seeds. When your plant has fully matured, you’ll start to notice it produces seeds before it eventually dies out. Don’t throw those seeds away…keep them. They are perfectly usable for your garden next year. This is a thrifty way of gardening that is not only sustainable but saves you money at the same time.
5. Conserve water
Water conservation is an increasingly important part of creating a sustainable garden. During the heat of the summer months, it is not unheard of for a hosepipe ban to be put in place. Thinking more consciously about your water usage can greatly impact the way you garden. For example, collecting rainwater is a great way to recycle water. All you need to do is divert the water from your drainpipe into a container. You can then use this for watering your plants instead of filling up your watering can or using a hose. You may even choose to get a reservoir for your greenhouse to collect more water. Plants grow better in natural rainwater too, so it is a win all around.
If you are looking for further inspiration on eco-friendly gardening, we definitely recommend a trip to Arundel Castle. Gardening ecologically is it at the heart of Arundel Castle’s ethos, they use their techniques across the beautiful gardens and glasshouses. You can find out more about their visiting times on their website.
