climate-wise landscaping

Climate-Wise Landscaping is a super book written by expert landscapers. You can use this book for a new garden or to retro-scape an existing garden. In a nutshell, it uses garden landscaping knowledge with planet-friendly expertise, so you can design a garden more akin to how it should be nature.

It’s best to avoid gravel paving near pets, as it can get stuck in paws. For dirty paving slabs, a pressure water using just water should usually suffice. For professional cleaning, Delphis Eco Patio & Stone Cleaner is safer, but still keep away from children and pets (you can also use it to clean headstones, to avoid toxic alternatives).

Use no-dig gardening to protect wildlife. Use fruit protection bags (over netting which can trap birds and wildlife). Learn how to create gardens safe for pets (use humane slug/snail deterrents). Read how to help stop birds flying into windows

For instance, you’ll know where to plant (or replant) trees to let the light in or give shade (to save on heating and cooling bills indoors) plus learn how to plant to avoid floods or waterlogged soil, and where to find plants that need less water etc.

Create cleaner water and air, with no need for expensive tools or purchases. And naturally support habitats of birds, butterflies, pollinators and other wildlife.

  1. Lawns – reducing climate impact & maintenance
  2. Trees & shrubs – cooling the air, storing carbon, providing habitat
  3. Water – dealing with too little or too much
  4. Ecosystems – carbon storage & supporting wildlife
  5. Soil – productivity and carbon issues
  6. Planning & design – for practicality and comfort
  7. Herbaceous plants – shrinking their carbon footprint
  8. Urban issues – heat island effect & promoting nature
  9. Food – local food and reduced CO2 emissions
  10. Materials – climate footprints of landscaping options

The volume of information here is impressive, each action accompanied by an explanation of why it’s important. Many suggestions (beyond stop using pesticides, reduce irrigation, replace non-native plants) aim to minimise damage from fire, flood and storm). Ann Heidemann

Sue Reed is a registered landscape architect with 30 years experience in designing sustainable landscapes. She lives in Massachusetts, USA. Ginny Stibolt manages a sustainable gardening blog in Florida, USA.

a year in a small garden

A Year in a Small Garden is a book that follows BBC Gardener’s World presenter Frances Tophill, as she creates her new garden in a Devon terraced house. See how she brings her garden to life, plus find tips to build small community gardens, providing free food for people local to you. Focusing on sustainable garden, her bachelor’s degree in horticulture and experience working in royal botanic gardens is sure to inspire.

Frances Tophill is a horticulturalist, conservationist, author and presenter on BBC Gardener’s World. She studied at Scottish Agricultural College and Royal Botanic Garden (Edinburgh. She also works with Royal Horticultural Society’s campaign for school gardening to promote gardening to young people, and is also a keen quilter and amateur potter.

how to grow a garden

How to Grow a Garden is a lovely book to grow your own garden. Wander through 20 diverse spaces containing more than 100 plants that each make the world a better place in a different way. Some have the power to heal, some nourish, while others help to repair and restore Planet Earth.

 

How Climate Change Is Affecting Wild Gardens

one garden against the world

One Garden Against the World is the story of how the author looks for positive ways to keep going in a changing world of climate-change anxiety, through caring for her mother and rescuing her dog. Her garden is home to red mason bees and bumblebees, house sparrows, hedgehogs and dragonflies. And the entire frog population of Brighton & Hove seems to breed in her small pond each spring, and there are toads now too.

On summer evenings, she watches bats flit above her and for a moment, all is right with the world. But with habitat loss and rising temperatures, she worries what it means for wildlife. This is a call-to-action for gardeners, communities and individuals to help wildlife and the climate. If we work together, it’s not too late to make a difference.

In my 20s I lived in Manchester on the sixth floor of a block of council flats, just off the A57. I grew sweetcorn, tomatoes and courgettes in pots on the balcony. I worked in pubs and clubs in Manchester’s gay village and walked home in the early hours, keys poked through my clenched fist to protect me from would-be attackers.

And I would see hedgehogs. It never occurred to me that the hedgehogs might be in trouble, foraging beneath the ring road. It occurred to me only that their presence was magical.

Years later I had a job in Manchester, and walked to the estate where I used to live. The flats had had a makeover. The balconies were now sealed with airtight windows that presumably made them warmer and more soundproof.

The gardens of the houses had been paved over and there seemed to be more space for parking. It wasn’t just the people who would be suffering from the lack of green space. I wondered how the hedgehogs were getting on.

Kate Bradbury is an award-winning writer on wildlife gardener, the wildlife editor for BBC Gardeners’ World magazine, and a regular columnist for newspapers. She and her garden have appears on BBC Springwatch and Autumnwatch. She lives in Sussex.

Inside Kate’s wild garden, lies the key to a gentle revolution. This beautiful story recognises the power we have to support our wildlife and climate, through the humble act of cherishing our gardens. Each leaf, flower and animal that makes its home within Kate’s wild sanctuary is a symbol of hope and resilience. This book is empowering. It’s joyous. Megan McCubbin

Kate shows how a single person has the power to change things, and how tiny actions combine to make a big difference. She is defending our beautiful planet and its wildlife, one caterpillar at a time. Pam Ayres

If you ever doubted you can help change the world, read this book. Part passionate call to arms, part intimate nature diary. This book shows how the actions we take in our gardens, allotments, balconies or window boxes can nurture habitats and wildlife, and offer hope. Caroline Lucas

This book spills joy all the way through. It made me want to do more of the little things that bring me closer to nature. I want to build a pond. I want to look for frogs. I want to continue trying to connect the land with the people. Jasmine Isa Qureshi

Kate is raising her voice and flying the flag, for the creatures and plants that have no voice of their own. And are in danger of being silenced for good. Barney Bardsley

Choosing the Right Location

Assessing sunlight patterns is the first step in choosing the right location for your garden. Observe your chosen area at different times of the day. Do some parts bask in sunlight while others remain in shade? Most plants thrive with a minimum of six hours of sun, so position your garden accordingly. Think about what plants catch your fancy – some favour full sun, while others prefer a bit of shade.

Strong winds can disrupt your garden experience and damage delicate plants. Look for natural windbreaks like fences, walls, or larger trees that can shield your sanctuary.

You can also plant sturdy shrubs or create low hedges to protect your space from gusts. With the right protection, your garden can be a serene oasis rather than a chaotic whirlwind.

Consider how easy it is to access your garden sanctuary. A convenient location invites you to spend more time there. Additionally, think about the views.

You’ll want to ensure your sanctuary offers a pleasing sight, whether it’s a beautiful flower arrangement or a charming seating area. Being able to admire your surroundings enhances the overall experience.

Designing Your Sanctuary

Think of your garden as a canvas with different zones for various activities. Perhaps you’d like a relaxation area with comfortable seating, a vibrant planting zone full of flowers, and a space for gardening activities. Each zone offers a distinct purpose, making the garden more functional and enjoyable.

Nothing soothes the mind quite like the sound of water. Consider adding a small fountain, or even a birdbath to your sanctuary. These elements not only serve as a focal point but also attract wildlife, inviting lively interactions with nature. Their calming presence can become a key part of your peaceful retreat.

Choosing plants that thrive in your local conditions is essential. Research native species, as they generally require less maintenance and are more resistant to local pests.

Think of plants that bring you joy. Some plants not only look lovely, but relax with soothing scents. Choose a mix of colours, textures, and heights to create visual interest.

Creating a Comfortable Atmosphere

Consider the types of outdoor furniture that best suit your sanctuary. Comfortable chairs, hammocks, or elegant benches can encourage you to linger longer.

Opt for weather-resistant materials and cushions that add a pop of colour. The right furniture invites relaxation, making your garden a perfect place to unwind.

Evenings can be magical in your garden. Incorporate various lighting solutions like solar-powered garden lights to enhance the atmosphere after dark. Warm lighting creates a soft glow, encouraging you to enjoy your private haven well into the night. Switch off when not in use, to avoid light pollution that confuses wildlife.

Adding personal touches can truly make your sanctuary your own. Incorporate your favourite decor or art pieces. Perhaps a cherished sculpture or handmade pot can add character and charm. These elements reflect your personality and ensure your sanctuary feels unique and inviting.

Every season brings its own gardening tasks. Spring is the time for planting and rejuvenating. In summer, focus on watering and maintaining blooms. As autumn approaches, consider preparing for winter by pruning and covering sensitive plants. Be mindful of seasonal changes, and your sanctuary will flourish year-round.

Simple Swaps for a Plastic-Free Garden

the plastic-free gardener

In case you didn’t know it already, plastic (of any kind) is made from oil. And as well as causing untold harm to garden creatures through choking or pollution, oil is a fossil fuel, so buying new plastic contributes to climate change. So it stands to reason that to find plastic-free alternatives to common garden items is one step in the right direction.

The Plastic-Free Gardener is a guide for anyone to limit use of plastic in their garden or allotment. With a mix of clear instructions and gorgeous photographs, the book includes many solutions you can use to avoid plastic, which helps all creatures and looks nicer too.

Nutscene garden twine

Most people use twine say to stake their runner beans, but plastic green ties can harm birds and wildlife. Nutscene offers cotton, hemp and flax alternatives, ethically produced in Scotland, and sold with cutting blades included on the dispensers. Wrapped in retro paper labels.

Don’t leave any twine (biodegradable or not) loose in the garden, as birds may take it for nests, where it could choke or tangle.

TerraCycle runs a program where for around £100 (everyone can pitch in with £1) people can drop off plastic garden ties, bags and pots, hoses and sprinklers at a local community centre. It’s all then sent off in a pre-paid shipping box to be made into industrial items.

Although some Terracycle boxes are free (sponsored) this one isn’t, but it’s a one-off amnesty to rid your area of plastic garden waste, hopefully never to return.

From the Caribbean (to an English country garden)

uprooting

Uprooting is the interesting story of a woman who ‘uprooted’ from her home in Trinidad, to move to the English countryside, where she found she was the only black woman in the village. Winner of the Nan Shepherd Prize, this book looks at the relationship with her garden deepens, as she discovers her conflicting identities are more intertwined than she knew.

England is known as a (mostly) welcoming nation to immigrants, but the author does not shy away from the roots of England’s history including colonialism. This book is full of hope and healing, inviting us to reconnect not just with the land but with ourselves.

I cannot shake the feeling that we are somehow meant to be here. And here they are on the floor before me, delicate and small, but unmistakably fresh flowers. Their pale pink colour seems out of place in the grey and brown of an English winter.

I notice a shrub tucked into the corner a building, next to the front door. It is midwinter, and yet its branches are covered in tiny bunches of flowers. I do not believe I have ever seen such a thing. Or have never noticed. The garden has offered us a welcome bouquet.

Marchelle Farrell is a therapist, writer and amateur gardener. Born in Trinidad & Tobago, she has spent 20 years in the UK, and spends much of her time in her Somerset country garden.

A beautiful memoir that shows how gardens can be a place to plant our most troubled feelings, to put own roots and find peace. Katherine May

Who Really Owns Our Private Gardens?

the accidental garden

The Accidental Garden is a unique book that focuses on why we always tend to think of private gardens as ‘ours’ when in fact, they are of course belonging to the natural world. It is bees that pollinate our food (not us) so we can learn to share our outdoor spaces with all those who benefit.

Gardens do not ‘belong to us’. They are also occupied by other creatures who all have their own lives to lead. The conflict between these two power bases is a microcosm of what is happening in the larger world (i.e war).

Rooted in the daily drama of his own Norfolk garden, the ‘godfather of nature writing’ offers a different scenario, where nature becomes an equal partner. Against a background of disordered seasons, he watches his ‘accidental garden’ re-organising itself:

  • Ants sow cowslip seeds in parched grass
  • Moorhens take to nesting in trees
  • A self-seeded rose springs up in the gravel

The garden becomes a place of cultural and ecological fusion, and perhaps a metaphor for a troubled planet.

The government has made a vague pledge to conserve thirty percent of land for nature. But things are going in the opposite direction. There are no new green spaces here, and every indicator of biological health is collapsing.

Richard Mabey is one of England’s greatest nature writers. He is author of 30 books and a regular commentator of on radio. He is an elected Fellow in the Royal Society of Literature.

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