Eco-friendly gardening

We are continuing our green gardening theme into July in the hope that the weather will be kinder to us and we can get out and enjoy the garden. Eco-friendly gardening means being conscious of what we use in our garden planning, design, use and maintenance. Here are some ways to do this.

Biodynamic gardening

The Biodynamic Association’s Gardening Club teaches a mindful and holistic approach to gardening that uses organic methods to improve the soil and manage pests and diseases. This results in better harvests and a deeper connection with our gardens. Look out for their regular planting calendar posts on social media for ideas on what to plant or join the gardening club.

Organic garden decorations

There is nothing more eco-friendly than organic garden decorations. Angela Cole weaves organic willow plant supports. She makes obelisks in various sizes and grow-throughs with domed tops. They’re made with locally coppiced hazel and English grown willow. They range from small to monumental at 80cm high. Willow products require a great deal of work to weave and Angela makes them all by hand so ordering well in advance is advised.

Katherine Miles is a willow artist who makes extraordinary sculptures to commission. Katherine also sells kits so that you can learn to make your own sculpture for your garden. Examples are a willow pig or dragonfly kit. The dragonfly kit makes two dragonflies for your garden.

Factory furniture makes garden planters from sustainable materials like steel, concrete and wood that are designed to last. They can be used in commercial garden landscapes or domestic homes. They also make chairs, benches, bins and bike stands and will make commission pieces.

Freshen up exterior walls

If it is time to paint the outside of your home, or you are building a garden structure that will be painted, consider Earthborn Paints silicate masonry paint for a breathable exterior paint. This makes it similar to limewash and suitable for historic older properties and conservation building projects. They also make lime plaster, lime render and paint that is suitable for cob walls.

Drying washing outside

Drying laundry outside on the line is a more environmentally friendly way to dry clothes and linen than running them through a tumble dryer. However, with UK weather the way it is, it is raining more often than not. Chimney Sheep sells a laundry mac which covers your rotary dryer and keeps your laundry dry. Chimney Sheep also sells a range of eco-friendly gardening products like mulch mats, wool compost and jute hanging basket liners.

And while we are on the subject of cleaning, wash that laundry with Bio-D laundry detergent. Bio-D also makes BBQ cleaning a doddle with their home and garden cleaning product range. They can be used on decking, to clean water butts, driveways, greenhouses and recycling bins. All vegan, cruelty free, and safe for septic tanks.