My Climate Change Garden

Gardeners are the custodians of the UK’s 27 million parks and gardens and have a responsibility to make sure that we look after them in a responsible and environmental way – hence the phrase sustainable gardening.

Sustainable gardening is the concept of using garden practices to maintain a garden so that natural resources (such as water, peat and fuel) are not exhausted, and without causing severe ecological damage to the existing landscape.

Here is a list of some of the things you should consider if you want to practice sustainable gardening:

* Recycle all garden and kitchen food waste through composting and use it to improve your soil https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1kIpCBD3UI

* Harness and use sunlight energy to light up your garden at night

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardeningequipment/8899378/Brighten-up-outside-with-thebest-in-solar-powered-lights.html

* Harvest rainwater and use it wisely

http://www.environment agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/beinggreen/118948.aspx

* Create a thriving garden ecosystem by adding habitats that encourage wildlife

* Grow flowers to attract beneficial pest-controlling insects and boost biodiversity – in particular bees

http://www.lbka.org.uk/pollinator_friendly_plants.html

*Mulch to conserve soil moisture and stop weed seeds from germinating.

http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=323

* Create areas for play and relaxation which help children to connect with the power of nature

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-24670232

* Grow some of your own food – it is great fun for the whole family and much cheaper too

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/may/19/grow-your-own-veg-advice

* Use reclaimed, recycled and sustainable landscaping materials.

* Avoid use of synthetic insecticides, fungicides and weedkillers.

http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardening/Sustainable-gardening/pdfs/c_and_e_organic

Eco gardening is another phrase often used for sustainable gardening .There are many websites where you can discover more about how to become an even greener gardener:

http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardening/Sustainable-gardening

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/gardening/2011/04/gardening-for-rain.shtml

http://www.sustainable-gardening.com/about/about-this-website

http://www.sendacow.org.uk/africangardensuk/?gclid=CLL-3J6nvbcCFdDJtAod23QAVA