Alan`s Green Gardening Tips

Very few things we all do as people are as good for the environment as gardening. After all, plants take in CO2 and return it as Oxygen as they grow by day. But with these handy hints you can reduce your carbon footprint and enhance your garden environment even further...

• Collect rainwater in water butts - from roofs and gutters. It's much better for plants than tap water and it's chemicals
• Use a few drops of Fairy Liquid (other brands are available!) in a watering can to remove aphids (greenfly or blackfly), instead of pesticides
• Keep weeds under control by regular hoeing - or a serious blitz regularly. It's great healthy exercise, and saves the need for weedkiller
• Use water wisely - there are several ways we can reduce the amount needed, or reduce losses, such as:
  • use water-conserving gels in pots and baskets e.g Rain Gel
  • water in evenings, to reduce evaporation losses in hot days
  • use a sprinkler/rose on your hose or watering can - little and often is best
  • plant drought tolerant plants together in beds, as they need little watering
  • bury sturdy bottles punctured with holes near large trees, and fill weekly
• Compost garden waste as well as food waste - buy or make a compost bin, and use grass cuttings, soft hedge trimmings, old peat, vegetable trimmings and mix and turn them frequently.
• Plant trees or hedges instead of walls and fences - besides creating great habitats for wildlife, they fix CO2 from the air for many, many years
• If sowing a new lawn, choose a slow growing, drought resistant grass seed - you save money and fossil fuels as your mower is used less, and they use far less water to stay green in dry Summers
• Recycle or re-use black plastic pots and trays. A quick rinse in something like Jeyes fluid and you can re-use as many times as you like, or Recycle with household waste
• New LED lighting technology means new Solar lights and lamps are very efficient, and use no electricity at all. A great way to light your paths, sitting out areas or highlight plants for FREE!
• Bee kind to wildlife! There are so many hidden helpers needed to grow great yields of great crops. Bees are essential for pollinating, so grow nectar rich plants to keep them in your garden. Lacewings and ladybirds work like armies eating pests in gardens. Our range of Wildlife Equipment will help keep them in your garden!