With sustainability and eco-friendliness on the rise each year, more and more people are making improved efforts to be environmentally conscious in and around their homes, including the garden!
In this blog, we take a look at the various ways that you can make your garden more green and the little changes that you can implement to help reduce the carbon footprint of your home.
So, what are we waiting for? Let’s get to it…
Green Garden Tips
Grow your own food
The first way that you can make your garden more eco-friendly is by growing your own fruit and veg. Not only does this allow you to become more self-sustainable and less reliant on supermarkets (which requires additional travel) but it also saves you money and is a healthier lifestyle choice. Fruit and vegetables that are mass-produced often contain a large number of chemicals and pesticides that allow them to grow both quicker and bigger.
These pesticides have been found to cause increasing damage to the environment through the contamination of water and soil, affecting the wildlife that use them to survive as well as the detrimental effects they have on the long-term health of humans.
Organic produce is a way that you can avoid pesticides, but these are often up to 30% more expensive than mass-produced fruit and veg. Another reason why growing your food in your garden is better and more eco-friendly.
Using eco-friendly materials
Adding garden features that use environmentally-friendly materials is another way to make your garden more sustainable. Here, you can choose garden furniture, plants pots, decking and patio materials that are locally sourced and manufactured to drastically reduce your carbon footprint.
If planning on a garden redesign that includes a new deck or patio, opt for materials such as composite decking which is produced using recycled materials or porcelain, which doesn’t require harmful agents such as sealers to perform well.
Limit or decrease electricity use
Until you start using other sources of power, you may not realise how much electricity your garden actually uses. If your outdoor space contains any water or light features, why not make the switch to solar panels to power these up? If you have the space to install solar panels on or around your home, you can use these to power several features you have within your garden as well as inside your property.
Upgrading garden tools and equipment such as lawnmowers is another great way to reduce electricity use in your garden. Modern mowers, for example, are often powered through petrol or electricity but can also be used manually, as opposed to older models that require the former. Updated lawnmowers are generally lighter and more efficient than outdated models, making them more eco-friendly in the long run.
Let it grow
The last way that you can make your garden more environmentally friendly is by allowing it to run wild and free. By doing this, you attract a variety of wildlife to your outdoor space that can boost the overall ecosystem of your garden. While many insects and bugs are harmful to plants, fruit and veg, you can also attract wildlife that is helpful and can help to keep the ‘bad’ wildlife in check.
Give your wanted guests an ideal place to stay by planting some perennials plants and flowers around your garden. By having an abundance of wildlife throughout your garden you also help the pollination of wild plants contributing to boosting the surrounding ecosystem!
These are just a few of the ways that you can make your garden more eco-friendly! So, when it comes to making some much-needed changes, be sure to try these out to make a start on reducing your impact on the environment and working towards a more sustainable planet.
