According to an article published on the UK Government website in January 2020, British households are responsible for 25% of total carbon emissions. This makes them one of the biggest contributors to UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. In the interest of this article we are going to look at a few practical tips on how we can make changes to the way we garden and care for our outdoor space in a more responsible way. Every little step we take will help slow or even reverse the changes to the state of the environment.

What is sustainable gardening?

It is best explained as an approach to gardening that aims to preserve natural resources, reduce environmental impact, and support biodiversity, while still producing beautiful, functional, or productive green spaces.

Sustainable gardening is about working with nature, not against it by creating gardens that are ecologically balanced, resilient, and efficient.

So how do we go about gardening in a manner that will cause little or no harm to nature and will help preserve it as best as possible? Here are a few ideas to gardening in a more sustainable way:

Avoid use of chemicals

Eliminate the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers. Supplement their use with natural methods to remove weeds from your lawn and flower beds. Avoiding the use of chemical weed killers will not only reduce adding packaging material to landfill or recycle bins, but it is kinder to micro-organisms and reduces the risk of rain run-off into your garden pond. Digging compost into flowerbeds or adding a layer of mulch will smother out weeds. Regularly digging weeds from your lawn and garden beds before they seed also helps to keep those unwanted plants from taking over.

Support wildlife

Create habitats such as wildflower patches, birdhouses, bee hotels, ponds and brush or log piles. These all help birds, bees, frogs, and other beneficial wildlife creatures to thrive by promoting biodiversity.

Plant for pollinators by including flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects.

Reduce energy and waste

1. Practise organic gardening as much as possible.
2. Repurpose materials such as old containers, wood, or bricks to create garden beds or paths.
3. Reduce packaging and cost by exchanging or storing seeds from healthy plants.
4. Reuse household items creatively in the garden instead of buying new.
5. Avoid petrol-powered tools when possible.

Sustainable gardening is important because it helps protect the environment, conserve resources, and support long-term health—for both people and the planet. It’s a way to live more responsibly, while still enjoying the beauty and rewards of gardening.

Pond maintenance

Sustainable practices can also apply to pond maintenance. On going maintenance through the seasons will reduce potential costs of losing aquatic plants, fish and cost of draining and refilling. Caring for a garden fish pond during the summer is essential to keep your fish healthy, prevent algae blooms, and maintain water quality. During the colder months, clearing falling leaves and reducing amount of food fed to fish will help your pond thrive. Here are a few suggestions to help your pond thrive during the warmer months including a heatwave.

• Maintain water levels particularly during hot spells, by topping-up regularly and preferably from a rainwater butt. When topping up, do it gradually to avoid shocking fish and avoid topping up on a very hot day.
• Aeration of the water is essential during spring and summer months. Warm water holds less oxygen, which stresses fish. Installing a fountain or adding a waterfall will boost aeration.
• Fish eat less in hot conditions and uneaten food decays quickly. Overfeeding can spike ammonia levels so it is advisable to feed small amounts early in the morning or late evening.
• To reduce the risk of algae growth, ponds need shade for part of the day. Floating plants will help keep water temperatures low, reduce algae growth and offer fish shelter from sun and predators.
• Any signs of string algae need to be removed using a stick or garden fork.
• Look out for signs of stress such as gasping at the surface, staying near water inlets, or unusual swimming behaviour. Being vigilant particularly in extreme weather, can prevent problems before they escalate.

Why does sustainable gardening matter? In summary, it helps to combat climate change, reduces pollution and waste, encourages local wildlife and biodiversity and it creates a resilient and self-sustaining garden.