4 Green & Sustainable Garden Design Ideas for This Summer
Are you looking to transform your outdoor space into a green and sustainable oasis this summer? If so, you’re not alone. This idea is one that is becoming more and more popular, and when you start to look into how it can be done, you’ll see that there are some truly simple ways to get started. With that in mind, read on to see what you can do when it comes to green and sustainable garden design.
Embrace Pollinator-friendly Plants
One of the most important things to remember when it comes to sustainable gardening is that you need to work with nature as much of the time as possible. This is why it’s great if you can include as many wildlife and pollinator-friendly plants as possible in your garden.
Or why not consider a wildlife meadow that will only use native plants?
When you embrace the idea of using pollinator-friendly plants, it supports the ecosystems that we are all dependent on. If our pollinators continue to decline, it will also affect food harvests nationally.
And if you focus on native plants, you will find they are well-adapted to the local climate and conditions, so they tend to grow better. Native wildflower plants provide a natural habitat for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife and might be the only food source for particular types of insects.
It’s also important to remember that many chemicals can harm wildlife. Gardening organically is very important.
Save Water
Saving as much water as possible is essential for sustainable gardening, especially in dry summer months. Consider installing a rainwater harvesting system to collect and store rainwater for watering your garden. This reduces the strain on freshwater resources and helps maintain a green garden even during water restrictions.
You could also consider using drip irrigation systems or soaker hoses to minimise water wastage by delivering water directly to the plant roots. Not only will this save water, but it’s actually better for the plants because they can absorb more. You can use wool in pots which holds water and means you do not need to water them as often.
Outdoor space options
When it comes to creating an eco-friendly outdoor space, the choice of materials is crucial. Wood effect porcelain tiles from companies such as mystonefloor.com are an excellent sustainable alternative to traditional hardwood decking, for example. These tiles are made from porcelain and have the appearance of natural wood. They are durable, long-lasting, and require minimal maintenance.
Perhaps you have only considered porcelain tiles for use inside, but start thinking outside the box and ways to get the look you want with longer-lasting materials that are sustainable as well as being cost-effective and something that will give your garden a unique look that everyone will love.
Start Composting And Mulching
Composting and mulching are essential when considering green and sustainable garden design.
Composting allows you to recycle kitchen scraps and garden waste into a special nutrient-rich material that can then be spread over and into soil, improving the soil quality and helping things to grow better.
Because this is all entirely organic, you are being very green to begin with. However, the fact that you’re using items that would otherwise have been thrown away means that you’re contributing far less to landfill. Plus, when you have good compost, you can grow your own fruit and vegetables more easily, making you even more sustainable.
If there is one thing you can do that is easy and gives great results, it’s composting!
You might still need to purchase additional compost and it is essential to ensure it is peat-free. Our peat bogs are valuable carbon sinks and they are being depleted very quickly.