We all love our gardens for plenty of reasons, and almost all of those can be traced back to one specific thing – your garden is your own little piece of nature. Now, we won’t go too much into the science behind it, but basically humans have a deep-rooted connection to nature that can be traced back to our evolutionary history, where living close to natural environments was essential for survival. What’s more, natural settings often evoke a sense of peace and well-being, providing a respite from the stresses of modern life.
All that goes some way to explaining why so many of us put so much care and effort into looking after our gardens – as well as why it’s worth taking the time to ensure that they remain eco-friendly spaces. After all, that’s essentially the entire point!
And with all of our years of experience with wrought iron gates and railings here at SL Wrought Iron, you can rely on us to know a thing or two about looking after outdoor spaces. So if you’re looking for a couple of eco-friendly tips to keep your garden in top shape, here are our top recommendations!
Compost kitchen and garden waste
We’ll kick off with something you may well already be doing – but not everyone does! Composting is a fundamental practice for sustainable gardening, turning common kitchen and garden waste into a valuable resource. Essentially, recycling kitchen scraps and garden waste generates nutrient-rich compost that improves the health of your soil, and reduces the need for chemical fertilisers (which you’ll want to avoid as much as you can, really).
Start with a compost bin or heap in a convenient spot in your garden, ensuring good airflow to help speed the decomposition process along. In the kitchen, you can collect fruit and vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, eggshells, and garden clippings like grass and leaves. Quick note on food though – avoid adding meat, dairy, or oily foods, as these can attract pests, and to be quite frank you’ll start to smell it.
Regularly turning the compost helps mix in new materials and ensures even breakdown. Over time, the compost will break down into a dark, crumbly substance that can be mixed into your soil, which enriches it with essential nutrients. This natural fertiliser goes a long way to supporting the growth of your plants. As an extra bonus, it also helps to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.
Mulch to retain soil moisture
Following closely on from our points about compost bins, mulching is a simple and effective way to support a sustainable garden, by improving soil conditions and reducing water use. Applying mulch (often wood chips, straw, or compost) creates a protective layer over the soil which slows down the loss of moisture from the soil, helping it remain damp for longer periods. That aids plant growth, as well as helping you to reduce water usage, and even provides a habitat for beneficial microorganisms.
Make sure to spread your mulch after planting, and keep it a few centimetres away from the plant stems to prevent rot. Organic mulches like bark or grass clippings break down over time and add additional nutrients to the soil. Along with its moisture-retaining benefits, mulch suppresses weed growth, reducing the time you spend weeding and allowing you to enjoy your garden more.
Incorporate wildlife-friendly features
Creating a garden that supports local wildlife is a crucial aspect of sustainability and contributes to a balanced ecosystem. One good avenue to consider is to start by adding features that provide habitat and food sources for birds, insects, and other beneficial creatures supports a diverse range of species. For example, bird feeders, bird baths, and “insect hotels” offers shelter and nourishment for wildlife, whereas a pond or water feature can attract various species and provide a habitat for amphibians. Insect hotels are arguably particularly important at the moment, since the UK has seen a general decline in the insects in the recent hot weather.
Plus, planting native flowers and shrubs that are better suited to your local environment can do wonders for attracting pollinators like butterflies, and yes, bees. Another good reason for planting them is that native plants also require less water and fertiliser, making them more sustainable choices.
Native plants can also help to control pests naturally, reducing the need for chemical interventions. For example, marigolds can repel aphids, nematodes, and other garden pests with their strong scent.
Choose sustainable garden furniture and structures
There’s no need to toss out your existing garden furniture, even if it’s plastic. If it’s still intact and sturdy enough, then in fact throwing it away prematurely can even arguably be creating unnecessary waste.
However, when it reaches the end of its natural lifespan, it’s a good idea to choose replacement garden furniture and structures that are made from sustainable materials – they can make a significant difference! Recycled metal, responsibly sourced wood, and bamboo are excellent choices for eco-friendly garden furniture. And just as you’ve done with your existing garden furniture, choose your replacements carefully – durable and long-lasting products reduce the need for frequent replacements, which again can help to contribute to reduced waste and a circular economy.
When choosing garden structures such as trellises or arches, it’s always best to pick materials that have minimal environmental impact and are recyclable at the end of their life. Wrought iron gates and furniture, for instance, are known for their durability and can be recycled if they eventually need to be replaced.
Maintain your garden tools
By the same token, extending the lifespan of garden tools reduces the need for replacements. Regular cleaning and sharpening of tools ensures they work efficiently and last longer, so take care to clean blades with soapy water and oil moving parts to prevent rust and corrosion. Proper storage can also prevent damage and extend their usability, so make sure you hang your tools in a dry, sheltered area.
Plus, addressing any damage promptly instead of replacing tools is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Many tools can be repaired with a little effort, contributing to a more sustainable gardening practice and minimising waste. Well-maintained tools improve performance, making gardening tasks easier and more enjoyable.
Those are just a couple of our top tips – you may well discover a few of your own! And if you’re thinking of any decorative touches, such as a wrought iron gate or railing, you’re in exactly the right place. Here at SL Wrought Iron we have a great variety of ranges to choose from, encompassing everything from Wilpshire and Chatburn to Longridge and Barnoldswick Why not take a look around, and see what you can find?
