Eco-Friendly Gardening

There has been an emphasis over the past few years for us to move towards a more environmentally respectful manner in all aspects of our lives. One place which many people don’t think about is the one place in our homes which is physically green; the garden. Looking to make your garden eco-friendlier? Here are some of our top tips to help you do so.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

One of the best things you can do is try to recycle as much as possible in your garden. If you haven’t yet started a compost heap, it’s not too late. Take all of your vegetable peelings and paper shreddings and let nature work its magic. Think of all the transportation and landfill that won’t be needed. Over time it will also yield fantastic fertiliser for your garden saving yet more transportation of the compost you now won’t need to buy.

You should also try to reuse containers as much as possible. A supposedly broken pot might not be properly broken; it might just need sanding down a little while still being perfectly capable of holding a plant. If you have anything that can’t be reused or recycled in this way, contact a junk removal company who can dispose of it in an eco-friendly manner for you.

Create a Varied Environment

There are many insects and birds out there who do wonders for our gardens if we let them come in. If you want to encourage a wild habitat in your garden, you need to plant the right type of flowers and shrubs to invite in the wildlife.

Creating a safe environment for them is just as important as having a garden which is beautiful to look at. Having a garden with a varied collection of life in it will help to create a small eco-system which will undoubtedly change the way your garden looks. More importantly, it will be healthier for your plants reducing the pests and diseases and therefore your need to use chemical treatments.

Collect Rainwater

Even if you live in a rainy area, you are probably going to need to water your plants at some point in the year. The best and most eco-friendly way to do so is to have a water butt which collects rainwater for you. This gives you access to pure water whenever you might need it.

You need to watch out for your local legislation as some places restrict how much rainwater you can collect. If you are thinking about including this feature in your garden, make sure that you get one which works with your local laws.

Herbs, Veg and Fruit

Eco gardens usually have edible plants in them. It is great to know exactly where you food has come from and that chemicals have not been used on them. Growing your own does this. If you are a novice gardener you might be overwhelmed. Don;t worry start small – plant a few herbs that you like and a tomato plant or two and maybe something like butternut squash. All these plants are easy to grow and yield a tasty harvest. As your experience and knowledge increase you can plant a wider range of vegetables.

Fruit treats are easy to grow. Even if you have a small garden you can buy standard ‘pole’ versions of most soft fruits – apples, pears, apricots, plums, nectarines. You can line up these compact fruit trees along a wall or fence.

Your garden is just a few steps away from being an eco-friendly paradise and it is easier than you think to get there. Whether you are feeding the entire place with your own collected rainwater and compost or you are creating a welcome environment for nature, there is plenty of places you can start. Make your first strides towards an eco-friendly garden today!