HERE’S WHAT THE EXPERTS ARE DOING...

ARIT ANDERSON GARDENERS’ WORLD PRESENTER AND GARDEN DESIGNER

“In 2022 my garden will be in need of a new patio layout, and although it would be lovely to have new Lakeland or York stone, I’m really happy that I am going to be using reclaimed pavers that potentially could otherwise have gone to landfill. My existing old cast stone pavers will be either crushed and used in the garden as hardcore, or put on Facebook marketplace for collection to use under sheds. The coming year is about recycling as much as possible.”

CHARLES DOWDING ‘NO-DIG’ GARDENING EXPERT

“[I want to ditch] the plastics habit – I wish to discover alternatives to fleece, made of polypropylene, although we do use it several times. I was sent some wool fleece to try but it is heavy, expensive and sheds wool! I want to find more combinations of interplanting. Already we are finding several, which work really well. I also want to make better compost, probably with more wood content for improved structure and air content.”

CLAIRE AUSTIN OWNER OF CLAIRE AUSTIN HARDY PLANTS

“I can’t be doing with plants that need fuss and cosseting – I like growing perennial varieties that will thrive simply by being planted in the right conditions. I leave the stems to dry out over winter to support wildlife and then simply strim them back in around March to encourage the fresh growth. Peat-free compost is a no brainer – I’ve been using peat-free compost in my garden and on the nursery for over a decade and I have always had great results.”

NANCY BIRTWHISTLE GREEN CAMPAIGNER AND FORMER BAKE OFF WINNER

“My resolution will focus on the necessity to continue to turn away from proprietary toxic weed killers, path clearing and patio cleaning products. Did you know that boiling water and a tiny sprinkle of table salt will control the most difficult weeds that appear in cracks and pathways, and the treatment will last for more than a season? Just a simple, cheap, eco-friendly and effective switch. “In addition, while I continue to use the plastic pots and trays that I have, I will not buy more and will instead invest in sustainable containers that are either compostable or made from natural materials.”

MEG EDMONDS

ARTISAN FLOWER GROWER

“Buying local is one of the best things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint. When you seek out your local farmer-florist for flowers for a bouquet or a celebration, you are actively choosing to buy beautiful flowers which have a fraction of the carbon footprint of hothoused imported blooms, which may have been flown in from as far away as Kenya, Colombia, Ecuador and Ethiopia.”