Hi guys, something a little bit different for my monthly blog this time, and it’s to highlight Earth Day 2022 to you all.
In case you haven’t heard of it, this is an annual event on April 22, where we look to highlight the small ways you can help the environment. And of course, I will be giving some tips on how you can do that in your own back garden, balcony, or even from your kitchen worktop. you could be part of an event that includes 1 billion people in almost 200 companies, all doing their bit to help, and invest in, our planet.
1: Save energy, plant more!
This sounds a little bit strange, encouraging you to buy more plants, but then of course I would do that, wouldn’t I?! However, the more plants you plant into your borders, the more ground you will cover, keeping the moisture locked in, and also keeping the weeds down, so you won’t need to go digging around disturbing the soil trying to get rid of them! Although of course, I would advocate leaving the weeds, but that’s a story for next time…
Anyway, really pack out your borders with plants, and you will find that it will be incredibly biodiverse, which will attract a range of wildlife, not just visiting pollinators such as bees and butterflies. You’ll find that it’ll also create habitats for small mammals, and seed heads can be great for the birds, and a little winter hibernating zone for insects!
Mulching around your plants can be beneficial too! It means you won’t disturb the soil and what’s going on down there, but also means you can conserve the moisture around your plants. It also looks attractive! You can use bark, decorative stones, or organic matter.
2: Grow the right plants for easy maintenance
It goes without saying, choosing the right plant for the right place will make gardening a lot easier for you, and better for the environment, because the plants will be happy in place without you giving them extra water, or having to replace them!
Drought tolerant plants can be very useful, and look stunning, gravel gardens are in vogue, whereby you plant a range of flowering plants that originate from dry environments. This list also includes gorgeous ornamental grasses, that really give a sensory feel, and outdoor succulents, which store their own water, so you don’t need to give them any!
You can also plant up containers with drought tolerant plants, which means you won’t have to worry about watering them through the summer, or asking the neighbour to water them when you go away!! We all know how awkward that can be, hehe!
3: Refresh and re-use
By being creative with your containers and reusing certain receptacles, you cannot only help the environment, but you can also let your imagination run wild. How about being creative with some old tin cans, some old welly boots, or perhaps even a chest of drawers! This is a chance to break all the horticultural rules, not all plants need to grow in terracotta pots!
You can also reuse lolly sticks as plant labels, egg boxes as seed trays, and of course make your own compost…
4: Make your own compost
This is one of the most rewarding things you can do as a gardener, but you don’t need much space to do it, you can even buy composting units that fit onto the balcony, or even under the kitchen sink. It’s a good idea to have a good mix of wet and dry materials, about 50-50, and later then like a lasagne.
Warm conditions will make compost quicker, but you’re generally looking at about three months to make your own golden treasure. The resulting compost will be very rich, so won’t be ideal for potting plants, but it will be good to mix into your usual compost, or to mulch around plants, or mix into borders to improve the soil.
5: Support others in their endeavours
If you haven’t got a garden of your own, you can do your bit indoors, by reusing your organic waste items, reusing containers, and by propagating some of your own house plants. You could also reach out to a range of initiatives, and get involved that way!
I really hope this has given you a bit of an insight into how are you can garden a little bit more sustainably, once you get into it it’s actually really rewarding and fun, and you will certainly notice a difference to your wallet!
I really hope this has given you a bit of an insight into how you can garden a little bit more sustainably. Once you get into it, it’s actually really rewarding and fun, and you will certainly notice the difference to your wallet!
Until next month, have a great time
Michael 🙂
