Have your say: readers’ letters

The view from your side of the fence

Real benefits of real hedges

In your April Clippings feature, you discussed the call for banning artificial grass and hedges. Georgina Knights, from artificial plant supplier Evergreen Direct, talked about the low maintenance benefits of artificial hedges, stating that “Over the hedge’s lifetime this [carbon emissions and pollution from regular trimming] can potentially surpass the environmental impact of an artificial hedge.”

But this suggests that the only option for cutting hedges is power tools, and ignores the ability of natural hedges to capture pollutants. I am currently enjoying the many birds that appreciate the shelter and food my real hedges provide. And at the end of the nesting season, I will have an enjoyable workout with my shears.

John Griffiths, Gloucestershire

Small garden, big success

I was very much inspired by how Lorrie Orawe (Gardens of the Year, April issue), had transformed her garden. She deserved to make the finals, especially with the limited space she had. With advances in technology, I really feel it’s time to start using drones to capture such lovely spaces, so we can all appreciate them in a totally new way.

John Underdown, by email

Losing the plots?

In response to the issue of substantial increases in the rental costs of allotments (Have Your Say, March issue and Clippings, p22), I am wondering if maybe the London council the reader was referring to was putting the rent up in order to price people out. This would result in the land becoming derelict, which would give the council the excuse it needs to sell it off for building on (ultimately resulting in less green space for the public.) Maybe I am being pessimistic, but something similar has happen in other towns. I hope I am wrong.

Beryl Lever, by email