FELICITY’S GROUND RULES FOR MAKING YOUR GARDEN GREENER

GO PEAT-FREE

Despite new legislation which will ban all peat-containing compost from 2024, compost containing peat is still widespread. Peat bogs are vital for keeping carbon in the ground. I use Envar compost which is made from food and green waste derived from council waste collections.

PURGE PLASTIC

Look out for biodegradable pots, made from materials such as coir, wood chips, rice husks, miscanthus or seaweed as brown plastic planting pots are not recyclable. However, independent UK garden centre chain Dobbies has plastic plant pot and tray return points. B&Q stores collect plant pots and trays for community-based project re-use schemes. And Axion Recycling is piloting a pilot ‘bring back’ scheme in the north-west of England to collect pots and trays from nurseries and growers to shred and recycle them into plastic sheeting used in the horticulture industry and new pots.

Always reuse the plastic you have rather than sending it to landfill. Repurpose compost bags as rubbish bags, reuse plastic labels and store plastic pots and cloches out of direct sunlight to prolong their lifespans. Yoghurt pots make great seed pots.

NATURAL PEST CONTROL

Nematodes are round worms which you water into the soil to combat slugs and snails.

Pyrethrum (derived from the flowers of Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium) controls whitefly, small caterpillars, aphids, thrips, leafhoppers, capsids, ants and some beetles, if present on the plant at the time of application.

Entice birds into your garden with plants such as Ivy and hawthorn trees that provide food and shelter, and they will soon earn their keep by feeding on your pests.

USE ELBOW GREASE

Weeds should be pulled by hand instead of using toxic chemicals. They can also be can be kept under control with ground cover plants such as Ajuga reptans for shade and under shrubs and trees. For sunnier spots and paths, try Erigeron karvinskianus.

INVOLVE THE KIDS

It’s so important for children to realise the power of nature and how we are connected

to it for our survival. A fun way is to learn how our food is grown. Tomatoes and runner beans are great for beginners. Biodegradable egg cartons or old loo roll tubes are great for seedlings as the cardboard can be planted directly into the soil. Or sow seeds into an old piece of guttering containing compost so that you can slide them off and plant them directly into the soil once they are robust enough for planting.

COMPOST

Ideally we should all compost our garden waste – so if you are lucky enough to have the space, I strongly recommend having your own compost heap. If you are a city dweller, subscribe to your local council’s green waste collection service.