Whether you have a little tiny yard or a bigger space, creating an eco garden sanctuary is something that you can spend time perfecting, if you are feeling stressed or dream of growing your own food. In fact, a smaller space is likely easier, as you can get creative to include all kinds of lovely stuff, on a smaller budget. Here are some nice ideas.
Garden Retreat by Lady McElroy
Sage Green Garden Tin & Twine Holder Set is perfect for a spot of gardening, and includes a vintage-style storage canister tin and matching garden twine dispenser. Made from sturdy metal, the caddy has a removable lid with rubber seal and handle to easily open and fill. There is a blanket label slot to the front, use the caddy to hold seeds, twine and scissors, plant markers or vegan gardening gloves. The antique-style Fleur de Lys motif is ideal to keep in the potting shed. Complete with a handy pair of scissors and roll of natural eco jute twine to help secure plants, and for other gardening odd jobs. Made to order, from little workshop in the heart of West Yorkshire.
Books to Help Create an Eco Garden Sanctuary
The Ecological Gardener is a book to show how to transform your garden into a self-sustaining haven for nature and wildlife. Matt shares inspirational design ideas and practical projects, to create a garden that is both beautiful today, and sustainable tomorrow. See make your garden safe for pets to know toxic plants and other items to avoid.
Learn how to build a garden that welcomes birds and bees, and allows native planting and wildflowers to flourish, with minimal carbon impact or need for fresh water. Ideal for novice or experienced gardens, you’ll learn how to:
- Find the right design for your space
- Create a wildflower meadow
- Build rainwater catchments
- Conserve water
- Make compost from kitchen waste
- Make leaf mould & compost tea
- Create a hedgehog-friendly garden
- Find beauty in your garden, in winter
Matt Rees-Warren is an ecological gardener, designer and writer. He has designed gardens for private clients in south west England and also worked for the National Trust and Kilver Court Gardens. He is an advocate of organic gardening, permaculture, no-dig gardening and wildlife gardening.
The Grove is a book by landscape historian and gardener Ben Dark, who has been called ‘the Millennial Monty!’ and the future of horticulture. After graduating with a degree in history from Bristol University, he studied horitculture and has helped to build award-winning gardens across the country, as well as writing on gardening in major newspapers and magazines.
In this book, he visits the wilderness of London’s remarkable front gardens, with his infant son in tow, as he visits a typical South London street. Each tree or flower tells a tale, and each species was seen from one pavement over 12 months, something that could be discovered on any road in any town. Find renewed interest in the nature on your doorstep, as you learn to identify wildflowers and become an amateur botanist yourself.
Find remarkable secrets from Ben Dark on 20 common species including rose, wisteria, buddleja (the ‘butterfly bush’, box and tulip. So more than a single street, find stories of ambition, envy, hope and failure. A book on gardens, and why they matter.
Creating a Garden Retreat is an artist’s guide to creating a sanctuary with a heart. Virginia is a textile designer and has transformed a small narrow city lot into a garden that is personal, wild and welcoming. It began with a fence to let her children play freely but safely and now is a city-dweller’s secret garden. Bringing her ideas to life with words and illustrations, readers are encouraged and empowered to start their own garden journeys, organised through trees and shrubs, vines, flowers, seasons and edibles.
