Organic + Wildlife
Be an Eco-Friendly Gardener
Britain's 15 million gardens comprise over one million acres of land. So it stands to reason that if those one million acres are being treated with harsh chemicals and stripped of their natural flora and fauna, it will have a fairly big impact on the eco-system. Here's how to embrace green gardening and do your bit for the environment.
Ditch the chemicals
There are plenty of ways to control pests other than chemical pesticides. Sprays may kill pests but they also kill their natural predators which upsets your garden's ecology.
Biological controls involve one tiny organism killing another and are effective at tackling everything from slugs to vine weevils. Alternatively, use old-fashioned barriers and traps such as 'beer pubs', where slugs fall into a puddle of beer. Buy biological controls from Green Gardener, or see Pesticide Action Network UK and HDRA: The Organic Organisation for chemical-free gardening ideas.
Enrich your soil
Healthy soil means healthy plants, which can stand up to pests and diseases. Improve your soil by digging in well-rotted manure, leaf mould or compost. This will increase its fertility and improve its structure - important for aeration and holding water. It will also help stop weeds stealing nutrients from your plants.
Protect the peat
Britain's peat bogs are valuable wildlife habitats but in the last 50 years over 90% have been destroyed or damaged. You can easily garden without peat. Check for the words 'peat free' on compost packaging. Ideally, it'll be organic and locally-produced too.
There are plenty of ways to control pests other than chemical pesticides. Sprays may kill pests but they also kill their natural predators which upsets your garden's ecology.
Biological controls involve one tiny organism killing another and are effective at tackling everything from slugs to vine weevils. Alternatively, use old-fashioned barriers and traps such as 'beer pubs', where slugs fall into a puddle of beer. Buy biological controls from Green Gardener, or see Pesticide Action Network UK and HDRA: The Organic Organisation for chemical-free gardening ideas.
Enrich your soil
Healthy soil means healthy plants, which can stand up to pests and diseases. Improve your soil by digging in well-rotted manure, leaf mould or compost. This will increase its fertility and improve its structure - important for aeration and holding water. It will also help stop weeds stealing nutrients from your plants.
Protect the peat
Britain's peat bogs are valuable wildlife habitats but in the last 50 years over 90% have been destroyed or damaged. You can easily garden without peat. Check for the words 'peat free' on compost packaging. Ideally, it'll be organic and locally-produced too.
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