Treat Your Garden this Earth Day
Earth Day is celebrated annually on 22nd April by over one billion people around the world and in more than 193 countries, including Northern Ireland!
Coordinated by the Earth Day Network, Earth Day demonstrates a dedication to honour the earth and to make small but important changes in our gardens that will make a difference.
The focus for 2018 is on the rising amount of plastic being dumped into our oceans. This year, Earth Day will seek to encourage us to recycle plastic instead of dumping it in our domestic waste bins. Get your green fingers at the ready with our great gardening guide, to make these small but useful improvements to help the environment this Earth Day!
1. Grow Your Own Food
Instead of purchasing vegetables, why not have a go at growing your own in your garden.
Tomatoes, lettuces, broad beans, garlic, peas and spinach are just some of the foods we can grow here in the UK. Not only will you enjoy the challenge of growing your own food but you will invariably save some money too.
Share any extra vegetables with friends, family and neighbours to help them feel closer to the earth and its goodness! Check out our tips for growing your own vegetables.
2. Use Plastic More Wisely
Put the plastic in your home to better use. If you can, re-use plastic items in the home; refill water bottles and use plastic pots for other uses, such as planting seeds. Items such as takeaway dishes, plastic bottles and yoghurt pots are great for planting seeds and sprouting in the garden. Not only will this give these plastic items a new lease of life, but it also reduces the need for buying plastic planters at garden stores.
3. Make Your Garden Thrive by Using Your Own Compost
Say goodbye to buying large bags of compost wrapped in plastic and instead, make your own at home. Gather kitchen scraps and plant debris, expired plants, grass clippings and raked leaves in a large compost container, converting them to nutrient-rich food for your soil. Not only does this add less waste to landfill, but it will give your plants the rich nutrients they need to grow.
4. Support Local Wildlife in Your Garden
Support local wildlife in your garden, especially birds by building a birdbath for them to drink and bathe. Not only will this reduce their chances of drinking chemically infused water, but it will also add some life to your garden. It is kind to provide bird feed all year round, but especially in the colder winter months you can give birds food via feeders placed on trees and fencing. Seeds like sunflower seeds and nyjer seeds are particularly popular with birds here in the UK.
5. Make Mulch from Household Paper
Give old paper a new purpose in your garden as mulch to support the growth of new flower and plant beds. Gather old bills, letters and notebooks, tearing the paper into small shreds and soak in water. Add this to flower and plant beds along with grass cuttings, weeds or leaves to provide a moist, nutrient rich bed to begin growth.
6. Plant A Tree
Trees are a great addition to your garden as they help purify the air, give wildlife a home, and add some colour to your garden. They are also a great way of adding privacy to your garden if you need it.
7. Make your Garden a Sanctuary
Introduce a seating area to your garden so you can regularly sit out and soak it up. If you do not have a lot of time to dedicate to your lawn, you can create attractive stone beds, pavers and rockeries that are low maintenance and visually attractive.
8. Use Solar Lighting
Many people enjoy the relaxing benefits of spending time in their garden, especially in summer. If you want to light your garden at night for entertaining family and friends, use solar powered lighting that will light up at night based on the light captured through the day. This means that you are using less electricity to light your garden – it is powered for free, by the sun. If you are planning a BBQ or party in the coming months, see our 5 tips for getting your garden BBQ ready on our blog.
Have Any Further Gardening Tips?
These are just some of the simple and practical ideas that you can use to grow, maintain and enjoy an environmentally friendly garden. Please let us know what you think of these tips and share yours with the hashtag #SmarterLiving on Facebook and Twitter. Happy gardening!
