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

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How about you – are you outdoor-ready? Whether you have a small garden, a patio or a balcony, it’s never too early to pave the way for warmer weather. Have you had a chance yet to visit our online Garden Room?  From well-considered furniture to statement decor, you’ll find style in spades there!

Here’s a round-up of some of our favourites…

Make your space your own

Ready to step up the comfiness? Whether you’re engrossed in a book or lounging with friends, make life al fresco as relaxing as possible this year. And what better way to unwind then than with one of the best chairs in town? Of course, we’re talking about the Holly Folding Cocoon Egg Chair from Innovators!

Once you try it, you’ll know exactly why it’s so coveted. Not only does it look amazing, most importantly, it’s comfy – we mean ultra-comfy! It has a lovely spring and gentle sway to it, while the cocoon-shaped design nestles you in and soothes you, rocking you into your Sunday mornings.

Sink into luxury with the cushion and soak in the sun outside, or bring the chair inside for a moment of meditation in the conservatory. When winter comes around , the chair’s smart fold-up design makes for easy storage. You can flatten the chair in an instant and slide it behind the bikes in the shed. Want to keep the chair out? This Water-Resistant Cover from Innovators will protect it in all weathers.

Express your style

Comfort maximised, we’re turning our attention to decor. That is, the perfect finishing touch to give your patio a tropical feel reminiscent of sunny holidays… Check out this Textured Botanical Indoor & Outdoor Rug from Nourison.

Look at that gorgeous layered leaf design. This eye-catching rug can easily be transitioned from the living room to the garden (or vice-versa), but wherever you place it, you’ll instantly feel it lift the surrounding and tie everything together in exotic style. A must-have piece in your oasis!

Your garden of Eden 

Plant power can never be overlooked, which is why we say, go forth and plant! Vibrant blooms will bring your space to life (literally), and you don’t have to own a huge garden either. For a luscious measure of colour and variety, look no further that this Garden Ready Plants collection from Plants2Gardens.

Featuring begonias, geraniums, petunias and more, you’ll love the finished effect these beautiful blooms offer to your beds and containers. This swoon-worthy collection is available on Advanced Order, which means you can get ahead of the rest and secure your flowers. They’ll be delivered to you in May, garden-ready and there for you to plant right out!

Or how about sunflowers? These Sunflower Sunsation young plants from de Jager will bring sunshine into your outdoor space even when it’s gloomy! Just plant them in this elegant Gold Basket Effect Planter from Home2Garden for a sumptuous display.

A true classic loved by all, they’ll be a warming, welcome addition to any patio, balcony or garden. You might want to put on your sunglasses and turn up The Beatles. Here comes the sun!

Let’s grow together

Patio season is upon us, so good luck with all your planning for the year. We hope some of these ideas may have offered some inspiration, but be sure to check out the rest of our plants selection, which includes annuals, perennials, flowering shrubs and more.

And for planters, tools, furniture, smart finds and garden must-haves, you’ll find it all here at our virtual gardening centre. 

Happy pottering on the patio!

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Whether you’re new to bird feeding or you’re a seasoned bird spotter, our wildlife range has you covered. Read on for tips, tricks and the best of our selection to help you charm the birds out of the trees. The right bird food won’t just attract birds, it’ll transform your garden into a living landscape.

A little helping hand 

Life is hard during winter, particularly if you’re a  bird. After the first cold snap of December, the months of January and February bring less hours of light, scant resources and buffeting winds. Lawn grubs are harder to find amongst the sodden leaves, and the ground is too hard and icy to dig out worms, caterpillars, aphids and beetles.

All of which to say, we can help!  Small birds will still have to puff their feathers against the cold, but we can chip in by supplementing their natural diets with tasty morsels.

High in fat content, these Deluxe Fatballs from Grumpy Gardener are a fantastic choice. They’re chock-full of cereals, oils, fats, seeds and minerals, with extra beef tallows and seeds. A great source of energy, these can help birds maintain their essential fat reserves, keeping them cosy and warm for winter.

All wild birds love fatballs, but there are some species in particular you might see more frequently, including blue tits, great tits, dunnocks, blackbirds, long-tailed tits and robins.

How’s it hanging?

Which leads us to our next point, how best to feed them? Birds try to eat in locations where they feel safe, so we think it’s often best to place food higher up off the ground, using natural coverage from hedgerows or trees.

This set of feeders from Grumpy Gardener ticks all the right bird-boxes. It has everything you need to get started, with three different types of feeders, nutrient-rich fatballs, mealworms and seeds. Why not hang them off a hook or tree, a hanging basket or even from a balcony?

If you position your feeders somewhere quiet, safe and sheltered, there’s a good chance you’ll have visitors. Different birds have different feeding habits, so it’s a good idea to mix things up. Robins, for example, prefer feeding from the ground, whereas smaller birds like house sparrows and greenfinches prefer hanging feeders that swing in the breeze. You can use these Mini Pocket Compact Binoculars to watch the different species!

All year round 

Although winter feeding benefits birds most, food shortages can occur at any time of the year. By feeding all year round, you’ll give them a better chance to survive food shortages whenever they may occur. In spring and summer too, during the breeding period, high-energy foods help the adults feed their fledglings.

Perfect for use throughout the seasons,  Richard Jackson’s Premium Bird Food is the crème de la crème for the winged ones!

Much loved and much pecked, this high-energy formula contains a blend of 13 natural ingredients, including whole sunflower hearts (a rich source of oil and protein for all birds), higher energy suet pellets (a superfood for birds) and kibbled peanuts. It’s also 100% free of wheat flakes (a cheap filler used in many other birds foods).

Welcome wildlife 

Whether you want to help the birds or you simply want to see more wildlife in your garden, we hope this blog may have given you some inspiration. Bird feeding can be enjoyed throughout the year, from the freeze-frames of winter to the sun-soaked days of summer.

And remember, for all things wild and living, be sure to visit our virtual gardening centre.

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If you’ve been digging around in search of the perfect gift, we’re here to help. That’s right, there’s no need to get your hands muddy! Not when we’ve cherry-picked a selection of amazing products for anyone who loves spending time outdoors.

Whether your bestie is a botanist or your darling is a DIY-er, find your gift inspiration right here and make their Christmas green.

For happy houseplants (and happy owners!)

Houseplants bring life, colour and drama to interior spaces, so it’s no wonder their popularity keeps on growing. But what about plant care? If there were ever any question marks, this Plantsmith Houseplant Care Gift Set takes the mystery out of maintenance.

With a bottle of Houseplant Feed & Tonic and a bottle of Perfecting Houseplant Care Mist, this set includes all the essential nutrients needed to help keep indoor plants happy and healthy. Next thing you know, they’ll have a jungle flat!

For the garden graft

All gardeners need trusty tools. A good set doesn’t just save a horticulturist time, it also ensures better gardening results. We think it’s best to start with the essentials here, and that’s where Radius Garden come in good with this four-piece hand tool set.

Consisting of a trowel, a multi-purpose tool, cultivator and scooper, you’ll struggle to find a more versatile and productive set of hand gardening tools. Each one is designed to help maximize power and minimise hand and wrist stress with a comfort grip. And the best bit? These tools can be used season after season, for a whole range of tasks.

For the butterfly spotters

If someone has a sunny spot in their garden, well, they’ve already got the foundations for a wonderful butterfly garden. So, how do they earn their wings? Richard Jackson has the solution with The Grow a Butterfly Garden Gift Box.

This kit features a packet of mixed seeds that’ll bloom into nectar-rich flowers (Aster, Borage, Zinnia to name a few). They’re easy to grow, plus the box comes with two tubes of Flower Power Plant Food tablets and a pair of stay-sharp snips.

Once the butterflies receive their floral invite, they’ll flutter into the garden for a mesmerising display.  These jewelled insects do more than just beautify, they help pollinate plants and boost garden biodiversity. It’s a great way to educate children on wildlife, and the kit is presented in a colourful box for that wow reaction. My, oh my – we can see the butterflies!

For an easy-care statement 

Low maintenance is good, especially when schedules are hectic or garden jobs start piling up. Epiphytic plants are a fascinating option with easy maintenance. Take this Air Plant collection from Thompson & Morgan for example, comprising a mix of Tillandsia, all housed in a stylish, pyramid-shaped glass terrarium.

Epiphytic plants grow abundantly in rainforests, and what makes them unique is their ability to thrive without soil or compost, absorbing their water and nutrients from the air. Whether it’s hung on a hook or placed on a table, this terrarium is sure to enchant and will make an eye-catching statement anywhere in the home.

For the tidy-uppers 

To sweep up proceedings, let’s talk about the most rudimental of garden essentials – a dependable broom. It is almost winter after all, so it’s time to gather up leaves outside, clear the decks and ready the garden for a long sleep.

Made using recycled materials, this Original Garden Broom is sturdy and also acts like a rake, helping to keep garden paths and porches tidy and free of debris. It’ll cover year-round cleaning needs, both indoors and out.

Good luck!

Green-fingered shopping isn’t always obvious, but we hope this blog might’ve given you some inspiration. If you’re still searching, we have a whole shedful of ideas in our garden gifting range, with everything from lighting to loungers. And for all things green and lush, remember to visit our virtual garden centre.

Go on, plant a gift under the tree and watch their smiles grow this Christmas!

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