Top tips to make your garden even greener
If you want to do more to help the planet, an easy place to start is right outside your back door! By making a few simple changes, you can transform your garden into the sustainable space of your dreams. From creating your own compost, to ditching the plastic, David Domoney is joining us with the environmentally-friendly habits that can make a big difference.
1) REPLACING PLASTIC POTS:
When choosing new pots for your garden, opt for more sustainable materials such as terracotta, stone, bamboo, metal and wood.
Not only are these materials better for the environment, they are also more sturdy and will last longer through all seasons, reducing landfill waste.
Garden centres will accept any old plastic pots that you are not using anymore. Take them into your local store to be reused and recycled.
DIY HACK: For a plastic-free alternative, make your own pots out of paper mache or toilet rolls.
2) PLASTIC-FREE PLANT LABELLING:
Plastic plant labels can degrade quickly in sunlight and are hard to recycle. Bamboo and wooden plant labels are a more eco-friendly option that can be composted after use.
DIY HACK: Save any old lollipop sticks, wooden drinks stirrers and disposable wooden cutlery to make your own DIY plant labels at home.
3) SWAP OUT PLASTIC STRING AND NETTING:
Plastic string and netting is long-lasting but rarely recyclable. Plastic also poses a threat to wildlife as animals can become entangled in the netting.
Swap for natural materials such as jute or hemp twine, jute netting and metal mesh.
4) SWITCH TO PEAT-FREE COMPOST:
Peat extraction contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, as the carbon stored in peat is released into the atmosphere when harvested and dried. Peat-free compost is much more environmentally friendly.
Peat-free is also better for absorbing and locking in moisture, meaning less water is needed.
Plastic compost bags can be reused as rubbish sacks and can be recycled if cleaned first.
5) HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN COMPOST AT HOME:
Fill your compost bin with waste items such as: fruit and vegetable scraps, used tea, coffee grounds, crushed eggshells, grass clippings, green plant cuttings, old flowers, straw, paper, cardboard, dry leaves, wood prunings and sawdust to make your own compost.
Never put items such as milk, meat or disposable products such as nappies in your compost bin.
5) WATERING EQUIPMENT:
Metal watering cans are a durable option that will last longer than plastic. They can withstand exposure to sunlight, temperature changes and rough handling without deteriorating as quickly.