Saving the planet often revolves around the house, particularly the interior. Homeowners want to know how to recycle, reduce energy usage, and get on Mother Nature’s good side. Well, one way to show her you care is to take the fight outdoors. An average property has a garden, and it needs to be as green as the rest of the house. No, not just in colour but in practicality too! A garden may seem self-sufficient, but it needs lots of support if it is going to an eco-friendly haven. And you can provide plenty by reading the following tips. These are the four hacks to keep in mind…
Attract Wildlife
One way to tell if the garden is environmentally-friendly is to check on the plants and flowers. Both produce oxygen and reduce the levels of CO2 in the air. So, with more in the vicinity, your home will suffer from less air pollution. It can be hard to keep plants alive, especially in the winter. However, the key, aside from shelter, is to attract wildlife. Everyone knows about bees and pollination yet forget about ladybirds and lacewings and the food chain. Pests like greenflies will eat vegetation, but predators eat pests and prevent the destruction of plants.
Plant Companions
The plot of soil in the backyard is a fantastic place to grow fruits and vegetables. And, this allows you to keep the shopping bill down as you don’t need to buy as much from the supermarket. Sadly, the UK isn’t a great place to grow food because of the weather. Even in the summer the rain and wind can be too strong for fragile seedlings. The answer is to plant companions to aid growth.Tall plants, for example, provide shade and protection from the elements. As long as they aren’t competitive, they won’t take away water or nutrients either.
Maintain Furniture
Every garden has a table and chairs combo, as well as a swing or a bench platform. These pieces are pretty and practical, particularly when BBQ season comes back around. Of course, caring for your garden furniture is essential because they are susceptible to breakage. Metal items are the worst because they rust in the rain, and the brown stuff can erode away at the steel. The only way to prevent this is to add a galvaniser and place a cover on the top. Softwood also needs protection in the form of a stain to stop rot and discolouring. Hardwood is durable thanks to natural oils.
Start A Compost Heap
Maintaining a green garden can be an expensive and inorganic procedure. After all, you need to buy everything from fertiliser to pesticides and mulch. Well, the truth is you don’t because a compost heap will take care of growth. All you have to do is break down the garden’s natural waste in a bin and add it to the soil. Not only is it cheap, but compost is twice as effective as regular fertilisers.
Whether you are looking to save money or the planet, there are plenty of options. What are your favourites?
*This is a collaborative post.