10 Easy Ways to Create an Eco-friendly Garden
From creating hedgehog highways to planting pretty pollinators, there are lots of simple ways to be green in the garden
Looking for ways you can make your outside space more environmentally friendly? Here, three experts share their tips on how to create a garden that respects the environment as well as looking beautiful.
Professional advice from: Garden designer Amanda Shipman | Pip Probert, designer of the Contemplation Corner Garden at the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 2019 | James Martin, former content editor at the Woodland Trust
Professional advice from: Garden designer Amanda Shipman | Pip Probert, designer of the Contemplation Corner Garden at the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 2019 | James Martin, former content editor at the Woodland Trust
Be water wise
“Water is a valuable resource and not one to be wasted, as every little drop counts,” Pip Probert says. “Where possible, try to remove sprinkler systems or, if they’re necessary, set them on a timer for minimal use. Drip feeds are a much better option, as there’s less waste, with the water going directly to the plant.”
All three professionals advise using rainwater where possible to irrigate plants instead of taking it from a tap. “If you have a downpipe you can access, have a look at water butts [in order to collect rainwater from the roof],” Amanda Shipman suggests. “Choose the biggest volume you can accommodate.”
“Water is a valuable resource and not one to be wasted, as every little drop counts,” Pip Probert says. “Where possible, try to remove sprinkler systems or, if they’re necessary, set them on a timer for minimal use. Drip feeds are a much better option, as there’s less waste, with the water going directly to the plant.”
All three professionals advise using rainwater where possible to irrigate plants instead of taking it from a tap. “If you have a downpipe you can access, have a look at water butts [in order to collect rainwater from the roof],” Amanda Shipman suggests. “Choose the biggest volume you can accommodate.”
Go native to support pollinators and wildlife
“One of the best ways to attract wildlife into your garden is to fill it with as many native plants as possible,” James says. “Native wildflowers are easy to grow and maintain, and are often more resistant to pests than non-natives. They’re also ideal for attracting bees and butterflies, which need all the help they can get with numbers declining across the country.”
“For a [successful] wildlife garden, think about the whole year,” Amanda says. “Put in nectar-rich plants for the winter and spring, too – ideal for early bees on warmer days.”
“Herbs are often a good choice, as they’re highly attractive to insects,” Pip says, “and don’t forget a few night-scented flowers for moths.”
“One of the best ways to attract wildlife into your garden is to fill it with as many native plants as possible,” James says. “Native wildflowers are easy to grow and maintain, and are often more resistant to pests than non-natives. They’re also ideal for attracting bees and butterflies, which need all the help they can get with numbers declining across the country.”
“For a [successful] wildlife garden, think about the whole year,” Amanda says. “Put in nectar-rich plants for the winter and spring, too – ideal for early bees on warmer days.”
“Herbs are often a good choice, as they’re highly attractive to insects,” Pip says, “and don’t forget a few night-scented flowers for moths.”
Save electricity
“You could help to reduce the amount of electricity used in your garden by choosing solar-powered lights and water features,” Pip suggests.
“There are lots of different styles available and they’re very easy to install,” she says. “They’re improving all the time and will store energy from the natural light during the day and release it when needed at night.”
If you need help with your outdoor scheme, look on Houzz to find a garden designer in your area.
“You could help to reduce the amount of electricity used in your garden by choosing solar-powered lights and water features,” Pip suggests.
“There are lots of different styles available and they’re very easy to install,” she says. “They’re improving all the time and will store energy from the natural light during the day and release it when needed at night.”
If you need help with your outdoor scheme, look on Houzz to find a garden designer in your area.
Connect your garden to next door
“Modern gardens are increasingly enclosed by large walls and fences, making it difficult for ground-dwelling creatures, such as hedgehogs, to get around,” James says. By excluding wildlife in this way, you’re reducing the diversity of your outdoor space.
You can make your garden more connected, and thus more eco-friendly, by ensuring there’s access to surrounding gardens, helping to create a ‘green highway’ for small mammals to safely travel around.
“A hog only needs a gap of around 13 by 13cm to get in and out of your garden, so consider cutting a small hole in your fence to give this declining species a helping hand,” James says.
“Modern gardens are increasingly enclosed by large walls and fences, making it difficult for ground-dwelling creatures, such as hedgehogs, to get around,” James says. By excluding wildlife in this way, you’re reducing the diversity of your outdoor space.
You can make your garden more connected, and thus more eco-friendly, by ensuring there’s access to surrounding gardens, helping to create a ‘green highway’ for small mammals to safely travel around.
“A hog only needs a gap of around 13 by 13cm to get in and out of your garden, so consider cutting a small hole in your fence to give this declining species a helping hand,” James says.
Say goodbye to peat
“Always avoid using compost with peat in it, as extracting this can destroy unique ecosystems that take centuries to form,” James says.
A cheaper, and more eco-friendly, alternative to buying compost is to make your own. “Creating your own garden compost is very easy to do, and it has great benefits for the garden,” Pip says. “By recycling garden and food waste, not only does it save rubbish going to landfill sites, but you can create a rich, moisture-retentive mulch. The following year, your plants will profit from this natural addition to the soil.”
“Compost heaps are also a surprisingly valuable habitat for wildlife,” James adds. “They may help to attract a wide variety of creatures into your garden, ranging from earthworms and frogs to hedgehogs and lizards.”
“Always avoid using compost with peat in it, as extracting this can destroy unique ecosystems that take centuries to form,” James says.
A cheaper, and more eco-friendly, alternative to buying compost is to make your own. “Creating your own garden compost is very easy to do, and it has great benefits for the garden,” Pip says. “By recycling garden and food waste, not only does it save rubbish going to landfill sites, but you can create a rich, moisture-retentive mulch. The following year, your plants will profit from this natural addition to the soil.”
“Compost heaps are also a surprisingly valuable habitat for wildlife,” James adds. “They may help to attract a wide variety of creatures into your garden, ranging from earthworms and frogs to hedgehogs and lizards.”
Weave in a tree
“If you have space, why not plant a tree?” James says. “Research has shown that gardens with trees are more attractive to wildlife than those without.
“They can provide additional benefits [for homeowners], too, such as shade and reduced noise pollution,” he says. “Once again, native species will deliver the greatest benefits.”
“Planting trees in your garden can also improve the purity of the air, which is really beneficial if you live in an urban setting,” Pip adds. “If space permits, why not try planting a large tree, such as a birch, beech or magnolia, to produce oxygen and help remove harmful particles from the air?”
“If you have space, why not plant a tree?” James says. “Research has shown that gardens with trees are more attractive to wildlife than those without.
“They can provide additional benefits [for homeowners], too, such as shade and reduced noise pollution,” he says. “Once again, native species will deliver the greatest benefits.”
“Planting trees in your garden can also improve the purity of the air, which is really beneficial if you live in an urban setting,” Pip adds. “If space permits, why not try planting a large tree, such as a birch, beech or magnolia, to produce oxygen and help remove harmful particles from the air?”
Leaf it out
“Rather than gathering fallen leaves into plastic bags – which may take decades to decompose – and throwing them away, why not store them in a biodegradable leaf sack?” James suggests.
“The leaves could provide a warm winter refuge for small animals and, once they’ve decomposed, you’ll be left with natural leaf mould – a perfect fertiliser.”
Read our wildlife gardening guides: How to Create a Wildlife-friendly Garden in Spring | How to Create a Wildlife-friendly Garden in Summer | How to Create a Wildlife-friendly Garden in Autumn | How to Create a Wildlife-friendly Garden in Winter
“Rather than gathering fallen leaves into plastic bags – which may take decades to decompose – and throwing them away, why not store them in a biodegradable leaf sack?” James suggests.
“The leaves could provide a warm winter refuge for small animals and, once they’ve decomposed, you’ll be left with natural leaf mould – a perfect fertiliser.”
Read our wildlife gardening guides: How to Create a Wildlife-friendly Garden in Spring | How to Create a Wildlife-friendly Garden in Summer | How to Create a Wildlife-friendly Garden in Autumn | How to Create a Wildlife-friendly Garden in Winter
Make your own fertiliser
“Natural leaf mould is just one way to make fertiliser. You can use everything from leftover food to pulled-up weeds and grass cuttings to create a natural means of helping your garden grow,” James says.
“Soaking weeds in a container for a few weeks creates a nutrient-rich solution that can be used to water plants,” he says. “You can also try ‘grasscycling’, which involves leaving grass trimmings on the lawn after mowing, providing a natural fertiliser.”
“Natural leaf mould is just one way to make fertiliser. You can use everything from leftover food to pulled-up weeds and grass cuttings to create a natural means of helping your garden grow,” James says.
“Soaking weeds in a container for a few weeks creates a nutrient-rich solution that can be used to water plants,” he says. “You can also try ‘grasscycling’, which involves leaving grass trimmings on the lawn after mowing, providing a natural fertiliser.”
Keep wildlife refreshed
“If you have the space, adding a natural water feature to your garden can make a real difference. A pond provides a home for amphibians and insects, as well as drinking and bathing water for birds and mammals. If you don’t have room for a whole pond, a bird bath is a good option,” James says.
In a very small garden, even just a dish of water will keep animals and insects refreshed in the hot weather. “Ceramic plant saucers are ideal [for this],” Amanda says, “and they look attractive, too. You can get glazed, unglazed, plain terracotta or painted terracotta to suit your style. Insects will drink from these as well as mammals.”
Tell us…
Which of these ideas would you try in your own garden? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
“If you have the space, adding a natural water feature to your garden can make a real difference. A pond provides a home for amphibians and insects, as well as drinking and bathing water for birds and mammals. If you don’t have room for a whole pond, a bird bath is a good option,” James says.
In a very small garden, even just a dish of water will keep animals and insects refreshed in the hot weather. “Ceramic plant saucers are ideal [for this],” Amanda says, “and they look attractive, too. You can get glazed, unglazed, plain terracotta or painted terracotta to suit your style. Insects will drink from these as well as mammals.”
Tell us…
Which of these ideas would you try in your own garden? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
A satisfying way to save money and reduce your environmental footprint is to try growing your own food. “It’s cheaper, reduces your environmental impact, and tastes that little bit better when you know you’ve grown it yourself,” James Martin says.
“There’s plenty of food you can grow, be it vegetables such as carrots and potatoes, or fruit such as apples and berries,” he adds. “Cherry and crab apple are just two of the native trees you could plant for fruit.”
To support growing your own, you’ll also need to encourage a wide range of insects into your garden. “Pollinators are so very important to our gardens, as it’s their hard work that allows us to eat so well, so we need to do everything we can to encourage them in,” Pip says. “By having a flower-rich planting scheme, you’ll be providing them with a diverse range of nectar throughout the seasons.”