Eco-Friendly Gardening Tips

Advice on implementing sustainable practices in your garden like home-made compost, DIY weed killers and more to have a garden that's natural and thriving. ​

An eco-friendly garden is one that is specifically designed and planted to be appealing to all aspects of a healthy ecosystem - whether that’s attracting bugs/critters or using gardening methods that are less damaging to the environment. With sustainable gardening trends like ‘No Mow May’ & ‘Prairie planting’ on the rise, it is evident that prioritizing sustainability is becoming more of a priority for the everyday gardener.

​Top Sustainable Gardening tips:

Lawns are so much more than they used to be! (Kate Russell)

• Plant with the ecosystem in mind - choose which plants to include in your garden to attract beneficial wildlife like pollinators to establish a thriving, healthy ecosystem. Lavender, Milkweed & Sunflowers are all great choices.

• Make your own compost mix - you can use kitchen scraps and garden waste to create a natural, nutrient rich compost that gives your garden a boost. The best mixture will be a 70-30% mix of ‘Brown’ & ‘Green’ waste.

• If you don’t want to use harsh chemicals in your garden, there are many DIY weed killer methods that successfully eradicate weeds from your garden. Try directly applying vinegar, lemon juice, hot water or salt to the affected areas. They tend to dehydrate/ kill the plant cells. Make sure this is applied sparingly & in a targeted manner for best results and for minimal damage to the surrounding area.

• With rising costs, a lot of gardeners (both novice and professional) are turning to growing food in their garden to both save money & to create a circular, re-usable system for fresh, home-grown produce. 

• Invest in a water butt to ensure you’ve got a constant supply of naturally provided water. This saves on your water bill and means the plant is getting natural rainwater for healthy growth. Water butts may seem like a big expense but they are cost-effective in the long run and a sustainable alternative to treated tap water.

Eco-friendly gardening methods mean less money spent on expensive weed solutions/ compost mixes, saving you money & helping your garden thrive naturally at the same time. Gardening in a sustainably minded way also means your garden is likely to thrive for longer, meaning less maintenance for you in the long run.

Chrissie Handley is a lawn care specialist for Online Turf- Lancashire’s leading turf supplier. With extensive expertise in turf-laying, outdoor maintenance & seasonal gardening advice, she is dedicated to helping gardening enthusiasts achieve lush, healthy gardens year-round.
www.onlineturf.co.uk