Summer is finally here and we are spending more time in our gardens. We thought it was the perfect time for a round-up of green garden ideas from our community. Whether you are planning garden landscaping and construction, or want to encourage wildlife and birds into your garden, our sustainable business community can help.
Garden landscaping and construction
A he-shed or she-shed or garden office from U-Build. U-Build makes the Manbey Pod. This is a modular garden office that is made up of small components. These can be carried through the house (if you live in London with no garden access) and are easily put together. The modules can be made up within days of ordering and U-Build can help you design and construct your garden office.
Environmentally friendly stone surfaces for garden landscaping, paving and stairs are available from the Ethical Stone company. The terrazzo tiles were originally designed as a way to reuse construction waste. Now they are made using low carbon cement, which means the tiles and granite are recyclable at end of life. Their stone is ethical and traceable from around the UK and across the world.
If you are looking for gardening tools to replace old implements that no longer work, then Storm Flowers Garden has a range of tools. They include watering cans from Haws in Smethwick and leather gardening gloves from Shropshire. The gardening tools have been carefully curated from suppliers who are ethical and sustainable. The owner Joao is from Brazil and offers a range of sandals and hammocks from Brazil.
Wooden garden furniture
Wooden garden furniture that stands the test of time is available from Angus Ross. Angus is a specialist at steam bending and makes oak tables, chairs and benches using locally sourced wood. A limited edition collection of Dalerb garden furniture was made for the Royal Chelsea Flower Show from oak trees that were blown down in a storm.
Making your own furniture is an experience and a privilege. Peter Lanyon teaches woodworking courses during which you can make your own chair or bench. Peter also produces commissioned work and has made garden benches for National Trust properties. You can buy garden benches, tables and bird boxes from his website.
Encouraging wildlife in the garden
Encourage birds and bees into your garden with products from Green & Blue. They make ceramic bird feeders in bright colours that will add a pop of colour to your garden. They also make bee bricks to provide habitats for solitary bees to make a home near your home and pollinate local plants.
Bees and butterflies can be encouraged into the garden with carefully chosen trees, hedges, fruits and native flowers bought from Habitat Aid. They are specialists in wildflower seeds and native British plants and flowers. They also stock a range of garden tools, tree guards, and bird, bat and hedgehog boxes.
Green garden ideas
There are numerous ways to make your garden more sustainable. Encouraging wildlife, planting native plants, and planning seating areas using eco-friendly materials so that we can enjoy our gardens are all important.
Spending time in the garden is good for us, both physically and mentally. Well tended green spaces make our homes more attractive and enjoyable and can add value to our properties. We hope that you have found some inspiration in these suggestions for your green garden. There are many more in the Home & Garden section of our sustainable business directory.
If you own a business that provides green, eco-friendly and sustainable garden products or services, join the Blue Patch community today.
