Sustainable Development
Greening in the Home - Gardening
Gardening has always been one of the most popular
hobbies. Our use of gardens has changed over the decades. There
has been a movement away from the planting of food crops, to that
of gardens for recreational purposes - patio, decking, flowers
and grass.
Gardening is one
of the best ways of taking regular exercise without going to the
gym!
As mentioned before our use of the garden has changed, as has the
number of chemicals and gadgets that we use. Go into any garden
and you will find a plethora of toxic chemicals from slug pellets
to moss killer and lawn fertilizer. In so doing we have created
a sterile area reducing the food sources for many birds. Our choice
of plants very often is not conducive to the local fauna. The numbers
of sparrows, collared doves, starlings and thrushes (to name just
a few) have all dropped dramatically in recent years and it is
thought that much of this is due to the removal/ destruction of
their habitats and food sources. By undertaking a few of our suggestions
we can easily help to improve this situation and at the same time
enjoy watching the wildlife return to your garden whether birds,
bats insects, hedgehogs or squirrels.
As gardeners we also recognise the importance of water especially
in the summer time. The use of water butts and mulches will assist
in reducing the amount of water that you will need to draw from
the tap.
Remember to use peat alternatives in your garden and help protect
the few remaining peat mosses.
Sustainable Gardening
- Learn to make your own compost using waste from the home
and garden
- Grow plants that will attract wildlife - plants with flowers
and berries. Try to use native plants.
- Leave an area to grow a bit wilder for insects and birds.
Butterflies like nettles to lay their eggs.
- Put up nest boxes and have an area of water - a pond or even
just a birdbath. Construct a log pile for hedgehogs and insects.
By encouraging this wildlife into your garden you will have
natural predators to control pests such as slugs, snails
and aphids.
- Avoid the use of chemicals in the garden. It can kill wildlife
- Think about growing your own fruit and vegetables
- Invest in a water butt and use this water for the garden
- avoid the use of sprinklers. To reduce water loss from the
soil mulch your garden well in the spring.
- Avoid the use of peat in your garden - there are lots of
peat alternatives.
- Recycle your plant pots
- Make sure that all timber you use in your garden (including
furniture) comes from sustainably managed forests.
