Whether you’re looking to expand your existing garden, or want to start fresh in the new season, it’s important to be aware of best practices for eco-friendly gardening.
From small flower beds to greenhouses, there are ways that all gardeners can look to improve the way that they eco garden.
In this article, we will be covering some of our favourite eco-friendly gardening tips and tricks, suited for both new and veteran gardeners.
What is Eco Gardening?
First things first, what is eco gardening?
Eco-friendly gardening is a practice in which the gardener minimises the environmental impact of their garden. This is done to achieve the main goal of creating a more resilient garden that requires fewer resources to maintain and better supports the surrounding environment.
Why is Eco Gardening Important?
There are a few reasons why gardeners look to implement eco gardening techniques, but some of the main ones include:
- Pollution reduction – this can be achieved through reducing your use of synthetic pesticides
- Provide produce that is safer for consumption
- Save water and energy
- Support local wildlife and pollinators
Our Top Tips: Best Practices For Eco-Friendly Gardening
1. Make and Use Your Own Compost
For most gardeners, compost is a vital tool for boosting the health of their garden, but instead of buying it from a store, why not start making it yourself?
To begin making your own compost, start gathering “brown” and “green” material.
The “brown” material should consist of carbon-rich materials, like dry leaves, and the “green” material should consist of nitrogen-rich materials, like grass clippings. You should aim to keep the mixture of these materials at a ratio of two-thirds “brown” to one-third “green”, keeping the mixture damp and rotating the material every couple of weeks to reintroduce air.
Not got the time to make your own compost? A quick fix tip is to instead use fresh banana peels on your soil. The nutrients from the peel will aid in the growth of your plants, and can be safely disposed of after a week or two.
Preparing your own compost is beneficial for your garden as there are no hidden or non-organic ingredients included, like there may be in some store-bought alternatives.
2. Conserve Water With Smart Irrigation
Utilising ways to efficiently water your plants is a great way to save water, save time, and use less equipment overall, depending on what method you use.
Here are some watering tips:
- Install a drip irrigation system. With drip irrigation, you will use less water and electricity over time, as well as giving you the freedom to choose where exactly your water goes.
- Water the roots. Depending on what plants you choose to grow, watering the roots directly is a great way to both boost the growth of the plant and save water. Although you should do some prior research before picking this method, as some plants prefer topsoil watering.
- Early morning or late night watering. Especially during warmer months, watering your plants around the middle of the day can be more of a detriment to your plants. This is because the heat evaporates the water out of the soil. With this in mind, watering during cooler times of the day is a great way to get more out of the water you use.
- Mulching your soil. Mulch is a layer of organic material, such as wood chips or straw, which is applied to the top of your soil. This is used for two main reasons: to stop the growth of weeds, and to preserve the water in your soil by keeping the soil cool.
- Collect rainwater. Installing tools like water butts in your garden is a great way to gather and store rainwater, which you can reuse to water your garden.
Water conservation is a great way to practice eco-friendly gardening, especially during the hotter months of the year, as it prevents the overuse of local water supplies, leaving more to go around.
3. Reduce Your Use of Chemical Inputs
Many gardeners use chemicals in their gardens to boost the health of their crops and prevent pests from interfering with their produce, but there are some major downsides to using these chemicals in your garden.
Mainly, there can be a massive impact on local wildlife with the use of pesticides, as it can harm local pollinators, ultimately harming your local ecosystem.
The best ways you can move away from the use of chemicals in your garden are by boosting the overall health of your soil and utilising natural pesticide alternatives.
To improve your soil health, explore the use of mulch and organic matter when bedding your plants.
For natural pesticide alternatives, consider the use of companion planting, a practice of planting certain species of plants together to deter pests, or using physical barriers, such as edging, to stop pests from getting to your plants.
4. Prioritise Plant Diversity
Having a variety of different plants makes for a stronger ecosystem. It makes them more stable and productive.
Diversifying plant species means that your garden is more resilient against things like extreme weather and pests.
A variety of plants also attracts different species of insects and animals. Some plant types encourage pollinators like bees. This then reduces the need for pesticides.
Choose plants that flower throughout the year. You should also plant some fragrant flowers and herbs that can attract pollinators like butterflies.
5. Make Your Greenhouse Energy Efficient
A greenhouse that’s energy efficient will cut costs, boost production, and be much more sustainable.
To be as efficient as possible, ensure there are no gaps where air is getting in or escaping.
You could also consider installing solar panels. While initially it’s a big investment, the energy cost savings can be large.
Collecting condensation can reduce energy costs, protect plants, and the collected water can then be reused for watering plants. Consider collecting condensation in a water tank or using dehumidifiers so that the water can be reused.
Mulch can also be applied to soil to keep the moisture in and prevent condensation.
6. Encourage Natural Regrowth and Ecosystems
Leaving sections of your garden to grow can provide a sanctuary for local wildlife. By having a “wild” area – along with diversifying plant species – you can attract a larger variety of local wildlife. This contributes to a healthier ecosystem and will also attract more pollinators.
If you’re concerned about your garden looking untidy, choose a smaller section to leave to grow wild and know that you’re helping local wildlife.
7. Use Recycled or Natural Materials
Natural or Recycled Materials for Garden Design
Using recycled or natural materials in your garden is more sustainable and also makes for a unique design.
Your natural instinct may be to go for wood, but make sure it’s sustainable and avoid any wood that’s treated with harmful chemicals.
Some woods are naturally more robust and weather-resistant, such as green oak. Opt for sustainable materials for a more eco-friendly garden and a unique and timeless design.
Food Scraps for Composting
Leftover food scraps can also be used as a natural fertiliser. Set up a compost bin and add leftover food (“greens”) and dead leaves (“browns”).
Worms will be attracted to the nutrients, making for healthier soil – and saving more food from going to landfill.
Research which food scraps are best to collect. Banana peels contain potassium, coffee grounds and tea bags provide nitrogen, and eggshells can be crushed to provide calcium to the soil.
8. Choose Native, Pollinator-Friendly Plants
Opt for native plant species that tend to be more resilient to our weather.
Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and moths are incredibly important to our diverse crops and food supply – but they are in decline. Almost 75% of our crops depend on pollination, so it’s in everyone’s interest to protect pollinators.
Give pollinators a helping hand by choosing pollinator-friendly plants. Choose fragrant varieties that are appealing to pollinators like lavender, honeysuckle, and echinacea.
Go for a mix of herbs, flowers, hedges, and trees. Growing your own herbs, fruit, and vegetables will also reduce your impact on the environment.
9. Build a Healthy Soil Base
Building a healthy soil base is the foundation of an eco-friendly garden. Here are a few tips for healthier soil:
- Using organic matter, such as compost from food waste, can add vital nutrients and help plants thrive
- Keeping soil covered with mulch can minimise moisture loss
- Avoiding unnecessary digging means that the soil structure is not lost and that earthworms can thrive
- Once your soil is healthy, consider raised beds to protect it. They are durable, lasting for decades, and bring classic style to your garden space.
10. Prioritise Longevity Over a Quick Fix
Choose long-lasting, durable garden materials over cheaper ‘quick fix’ landscaping materials.
Not only will your garden look stylish for years to come and cost you less in the long run, but it will also mean your garden is more eco-friendly.
That’s why we use only the finest quality materials that last a lifetime. Choosing durable products supports all your other efforts for eco-gardening.
Upgrade Your Garden With Steel Landscaping Co.
At Steel Landscaping Co., we have over 30 years of experience in supplying and installing steel garden products.
Our 60 years of fabrication experience mean that we build naturally eco-friendly products, as each steel piece is built to last a lifetime or more, using quality UK-manufactured steel.
From steel edging options and estate fencing to metal garden gates and steel tree guards, we have a range of design options to suit all tastes.
Get in touch with us to discuss your needs, or browse our online shop.