11 WAYS TO A GREENER GARDEN

Don’t just be green-fingered. Here’s how to have a sustainable garden, whatever the size of your plot

1 Let wildlife give you a helping hand

Eliminate synthetic insecticides by inviting wildlife into your garden. Attract slugeating hedgehogs by leaving piles of leaves and logs, or birds that are partial to caterpillars, with food. Ladybirds eat aphids – sunflowers or marigolds attract them. And don’t forget the bees – look at pussy willow in the spring, lavender in summer, sage in autumn and snowdrops in winter.

2 No ifs, just butts!

Collecting rainwater is a no-brainer – there’s plenty of it and it’s free! Connect a water butt to your roof guttering and use it to water the lawn, wash the car or rinse your windows – and feel good into the bargain!

3 Choose materials wisely

Buying materials – like paving stones, for example – that have been sourced locally will help reduce your carbon footprint and support local businesses.

4 Pre-loved planters

From second-hand bricks for borders, to welly boots and old Victorian sinks for planting, pre-loved can be perfect. Want new? Take a look at Ecopots (ecopots.co.uk). It uses recycled and recyclable plastics to create planters, while donating 10% of profits to sustainable causes. At Envirobuild (envirobuild.com), you’ll find 100% recycled garden furniture.

5 Grow your own

Why waste fuel, time and energy on trips to the supermarket when you can enjoy the fruits of your own harvest? Think about the fruit and veg you enjoy most, the type and size of garden you have and the time available to you before creating your own ‘good life’ plot.

6 Reuse water

Plants don’t mind a second-hand drink. Using grey water from your kitchen sink, shower or bath is a great way of cutting down on water usage. Just avoid harmful chemicals, such as bleach or disinfectants. And buy plants that are not so thirsty, like lavender, cacti and amaranth.

7 Make the swap to solar

New-generation solar lighting has come on in leaps and bounds – you’ll find everything from lanterns and fairy lights, to path and wall lamps. Place them in direct sun to charge them up during the day.

8 Rooftop garden

Green roofs, built on top of waterproof membranes, can save energy through insulation, increase biodiversity and reduce noise. They also cut air pollution. Install one on a garden building, shed or garage sturdy enough to take the weight.

9 TRY MANUAL. ONE PETROL MOWER EMITS AS MUCH POLLUTION IN AN HOUR AS DRIVING A CAR FOR 100 MILES IF YOU’VE A SMALL GARDEN, CONSIDER SWITCHING TO MANUAL.

10 Start composting

It provides a valuable habitat for wildlife, saves you from dumping kitchen waste and returns nutrients to the soil. Buy a recycled plastic compost bin or make your own box. Compost loves carrot tops, coffee grounds, fruit and veg peelings, cut flowers and pulp, grass mowings, old bedding and houseplants. Slower to rot are cardboard, cotton wool, egg boxes and shells, hair, paper bags and wool. Never add bread, cat litter, bones, pet poo, olive oil, meat and fish scraps, or plastic.

11 Go wild

Neatly manicured gardens leave little room for wildlife. Let nature take its course in even one small section of your plot and you’ll be rewarded with all kinds of animal, bird and insect visitors.