We all have different priorities when designing our gardens. Some people are looking to create a great entertaining space, while others want a vegetable garden. If you hate gardening, you might decide that you want to build a low maintenance garden. But for many people at the moment, sustainability is the most important thing. We are all trying to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle, but people often forget about that in the garden. They assume that a garden can’t do much damage to the environment, but that isn’t the case. The good news is, these simple tips will help you to create a more sustainable garden.
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Use Sustainable Materials
When designing large elements of your garden, think about the kinds of materials that you use. For example, patio decking that is made from wood is a better choice than using concrete slabs because it is biodegradable. When choosing furniture, always opt for wood over plastic for the same reason. These are things that we don’t tend to think about because our focus is always on smaller items, like plastic bottles, when trying to reduce waste. Before adding anything to the garden, think carefully about the materials and whether they are sustainable or not.
Collect Your Own Rainwater
Water waste is a big environmental issue that we don’t talk about that often. If you have a large garden, you will be surprised at the amount of water you use on all of your plants. The good news is, you can easily save water, and cut your bills if you collect rainwater and use that to water your garden instead. In a lot of cases, rainwater is better for the plants anyway because it has not been treated with chlorine. A simple water tank in the garden will collect more than enough water to do your garden.
Use Natural Pest Control Methods
If you want your garden to thrive, you need to stay on top of pests, like slugs. But if you want to be sustainable, you should avoid using harsh chemical pesticides or anything that will kill the critters in your garden. The good news is, there are plenty of natural ways to get rid of pests. If you have a problem with slugs, try some crushed up eggshells or coffee grounds around the base of your plants. There are also some great herbs you can plant, which deter pests because they don’t like the smell.
Plant A Tree
If you want to make a long term positive impact on the environment, planting a tree is one of the best things that you can do. They take in a lot of carbon dioxide and can help to counteract your carbon footprint. They also make a great feature for the garden once they start to grow in. So, if you have the space, why not plant a tree of your own? At the very least, you should avoid cutting down trees and, instead, build your garden around them.
If you want to be more sustainable, try out some of these simple ideas in your own garden.