The good news is that there are many small steps you can take to create a greener garden (and world), celebrate Earth Day, plant a tree. Reduce the grass on your lawn. There are now some lovely hedgehog houses on the market, but if the perimeter of your garden has fences, the pigs won't be able to enter. If you can, drill a small 15 x 15 cm hole in the base of a fence panel and encourage your neighbors to do the same to facilitate nighttime travel for hedgehogs.
Potted plants will need more regular watering, although the water-retaining granules that are sprayed in the potting compost will help keep it moist for longer. The best solution is an automatic irrigation system that ensures that all plants (in pots, borders and in the greenhouse) receive water only when they need it. Gardena's Micro Drip range of systems (opens in a new tab) uses drip pipes that work a bit like a floor heating system in combination with soil moisture or rain sensors, and can reduce water use by up to 70%. All you have to do is enter the commands in the Gardena application and the system will do the rest.
To give the plants an extra supply of nutrients, it can be mixed with well-rotted manure. It comes in individual bags of 40 litres (£) or an 800 kg shower bag, 90 pounds, and is available at many local outlets or at logsdirect, Co, UK (opens in a new tab). Look for similar plans in your own neighborhood. Even in the smallest garden, there is usually room to fit a small tree; try a Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), a wild apple such as the “golden hornet” in an upright position or the tiny Magnolia stellata, for example.
Some experts predict that within 30 years the United Kingdom could have the same climate as the south of France. If that's the case, a tree with a dense crown of leaves will be invaluable in providing shade and reducing the need for irrigation. If you want to speed things up, why not invest in an Aerobin hot composter (opens in a new tab)? It takes advantage of the natural process of aerobic (or hot) composting, and the work is done by healthy decomposing microorganisms. They need food (carbon, 26% nitrogen), air and water and, when they have them in the right balance, compost is produced very quickly, in 12 weeks, under ideal conditions.
There are more tips on this method in our guide to hot composting. There are now organic versions of everything from slug controls to fertilizers and soil conditioners. Give fruit and vegetable crops an extra boost with liquid feed such as MiracleGro Performance Organics Fruit & Veg liquid concentrate (opens in a new tab) that comes in a 100% recycled and recyclable bottle. Another fun way to reduce waste and be kinder to the environment is to make your own fertilizer.
You can do this by letting leaves and grass clippings decay wherever they fall, or by soaking various food scraps and weeds in water for a few days. Finally, if you want to create an ecological garden, you have to do everything in your power to save water. While you can't stop watering your plants completely, you can certainly do it smarter. To start, water your garden less frequently but with more water.
Make sure you don't waste water on the leaves and focus on the roots. Consider adding mulch and gravel to increase water retention. Also, try to collect rainwater and cooking water to avoid opening the faucet as much as you can. Learning how to create an ecological garden is easier than you think: just a few simple changes can make a big difference in the impact of your garden on the environment.
Treat all creatures with respect, as they all have a place and a role to play in your garden,” explains August Bernstein. Creating a sustainable garden is now one of the priorities of many gardeners, as they realize the importance of having backyards that are not only beautifully planted and well-designed, but that also work in partnership with wildlife and help mitigate climate change. According to recent research, gardens with trees are more attractive to wildlife than those without them, so adding some to your space is key if you want to learn how to create an ecological garden. You can buy special containers to keep everything neat and tidy, but the only thing you really need when thinking about how to create an ecological garden is a corner of the garden that is out of the way but without too much shade.
One of the best ideas on how to create an ecological garden and attract pollinators to your plot is to let part or all of the grass grow without mowing it until the end of summer. From containers to tools and furniture, get creative and reimagine discarded items to turn them into useful items in the garden or in the vegetable garden. An ecological garden should also benefit local wildlife, providing food and shelter for all types of animals, from small animals to essential pollinators. If you prefer to enjoy the fruits of your labor rather than actually working, you'll be happy to know that the best thing you can do to make your garden green is to leave it alone.
One of the important ways gardeners can create a sustainable garden is to avoid pristine lawns and let them grow longer. And best of all, creating a garden that is more respectful of pollinators and wildlife, that uses less natural resources, such as water and peat, and that doesn't pollute the environment really isn't that difficult. While you're at it, you can unleash your creativity in the kitchen and bake delicious bird treats to hang in the garden. Using native plants, such as creating a wildflower patch, however small, will help and encourage an enormous diversity of wildlife.
Another great tip on how to create an ecological garden is to encourage wildlife by building a small pond; in fact, even just water in a large pot or half a barrel will yield results. If you create a sustainable garden, you will soon be visited by a wealth of wildlife looking to explore, feed and, possibly, shelter. Create a sustainable garden with these expert tips on green gardening methods that will benefit your garden, wildlife and your budget. .
