GREEN GARDEN RESOLUTIONS

From ditching plastics and rewilding to homemade weedkiller, experts offer gardeners some eco-friendly resolutions for 2022

You may be considering giving up booze or turning vegan as you ring in the New Year – but with climate change and sustainability in the spotlight, it’s time to turn over a new leaf with some eco-friendly gardening resolutions too.

Thankfully, there are plenty of easy ways to plant the seeds of sustainability through next year and beyond.

Squire’s Garden Centres has just launched its ‘Sustainability Champions’ programme, in which team members have been tasked with identifying solutions to help Squire’s become a more sustainable business.

Sarah Squire, the brand’s chair, suggests the following ideas…

Buy British plants: This supports local nurseries and means customers get the freshest possible plants, which haven’t travelled far from nursery to garden centre.

Use peat-free compost: Squire’s own brand compost will be 100% peat-free from Easter 2022. If you have the space, make your own compost.

Sarah Squire

Mulch: Putting a layer of mulch over your soil can help it to retain moisture and to suppress weeds.

Water wisely: Add a water butt to your garden to collect and reuse water. Encourage wildlife into your garden: Plant flowers that are good for pollinators, provide shelter like a bug hotel or nest box, add water (a pond, bird bath or even a small bowl of water helps) and feed the birds.

Plant a tree: As well as being beautiful and giving structure to a garden, trees are a fantastic habitat and food source for wildlife, and of course a source of carbon capture. Try planting a gorgeous flowering cherry in your garden or, space permitting, larger trees such as birch, magnolia or hornbeam. On a balcony or terrace, you may have space for a small acer in a pot.

Grow your own: Growing your own fruit and veg is so satisfying. It may take a bit of time but you will be well rewarded with delicious, fresh, seasonal produce. Much cheaper than going to the supermarket and it reduces your environmental impact.

Shop locally: Support local shops and garden centres and your local community will benefit too.

Is 2022 the year to ditch the plastic in your garden?