The battle to become more environmentally conscious is becoming increasingly important. Therefore, practicing sustainability is a great way to do your bit about climate change. Creating a sustainable garden simply means you are using responsible gardening practices that don’t cause harm to the environment, whilst simultaneously trying to help it thrive.
Within our busy lives, it can often be hard to find the time to commit to a garden, often neglecting it. However, retirement can be an excellent opportunity to ignite your passion for sustainable gardening and create a haven that is not only environmentally friendly but beautiful to look at too.
At retirement age, many people have the money within their pension or an equity release in their long-term family home, offering more disposable income to invest in things they love. So, why not utilize this and help to create a sustainable garden in your retirement? Here are some handy tips to get you started.
Plant a Tree
Trees are an incredible way to combat global warming. By soaking up the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere they help to create purer air, thus creating a cleaner environment. Not only this, but trees can help to reduce wind speeds and reflect heat from their leaves, creating a calmer, cooler environment. Considering the high rates of deforestation within the UK, each tree you plant will make a huge difference.
Sustainable Garden Boundaries
Considering the wildlife that inhabits your garden is essential when accounting for sustainability. Creating safe spaces for current inhabitants and developing new homes for potential wildlife is a great way to keep the ecosystems in your garden running smoothly. Consider creating a sustainable garden boundary; instead of using solid fences or walls, consider a hedge to create a boundary. This allows current inhabitants to travel in and out of your garden. It also invites new wildlife to move in and possibly lives within the hedge too.
No Single-Use Plastic
Single-use plastic has a catastrophic effect on global warming, with most of it going to landfill without breaking down. A great way to combat this is to use eco-friendly posts. For example, biodegradable pots, recycled plastic pots, or re-use the pots you already have. Compost bags, other plastic carriers, and plastic garden netting are also unrecyclable. Being conscious of this can help you move towards more sustainable practices, like using reusable bags, for instance. If your local garden center doesn’t offer this, try suggesting it or taking bags and carriers yourself. Follow this, and you are sure to make a huge difference.
