The Plastic-Free Gardener is a good book for anyone who wishes to grow organically, and without plastic. Working with natural materials where possible, this avoid microplastics in the natural environment.
Use no-dig gardening and fruit protection bags (over netting, which can trap birds and wildlife). Learn how to create gardens safe for pets (use humane slug/snail deterrents). Avoid facing indoor foliage to outdoor gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows.
Plastic is everywhere in the typical garden, from hosepipes and seed trays to watering cans and plastic pots. Author Louise was inspired to write the book, after finding blown-in street plastic litter (sweet wrappers, plastic bags, shards of hard plastic from watering cans and string) to her own little Oxfordshire garden.
Knowing that sometimes it’s not possible to be 100% plastic-free (most lawnmowers have plastic parts), she’s also not a fan of plastic-encased garden wire that gets nibbled by wild creatures, or green plastic clips to tie plants. She suggests natural twine (below) and recycled plastic plant pots.
Also growing from seed is better than buying plants in plastic, and use plastic-free plant pots. And ideally make your own compost.
This little watering can is made from recycled plastic, and even has a little ‘frog ladder’ built in, so small creatures can escape (it’s best to avoid leaving cans with water in, to help prevent drowning – store them upside down or somewhere safe, when not in use).
A Plastic-Free Paper Pot Maker
This paper pot maker lets you use recycled newspapers, to make your own plant pots. Just roll a strip of paper around a wooden cylinder, tuck under one end to form the base, then use another piece of kit to twist into place. When the seedling has grown, you can plant direct in the ground, without removing from the pot, to avoid root disturbance. The kit makes three plastic-free pot sizes.
Switch to Natural Garden Twine
Garden twine is far better to support your runner beans that those plastic green ties, which can harm wildlife and birds, if they fly away.
Never leave any kind of twine, string or ribbon in gardens (biodegradable or not). Because birds may take it to make nests, and it can strangle or tangle chicks or other garden wildlife.
Nutscene offers twines made from flax, cotton, hemp and macrame (knotted). Ideal to support garden vines, this is ethically produced and wound on a factory in Scotland, in many colours. Sold with dispensers with cutting blades included. The classic twine is wrapped in retro-styled paper labels.
This flax twine is made from the linen plant, so biodegradable after use. It’s sold in a recycled paper box with its own cutting blade, and you can buy refills. Made to quality standards in Switzerland.
Plastic-Free Gardening Products
Natural rubber seed trays, including ones for larger seeds like beans and squash. Unlike flimsy plastic versions, these are robust, flexible and designed to last. Also in 20 cell and 30 cell versions.
Bamboo seed labels, packed in organic cotton bags. And plastic-free rubber plant ties.
These gardening gloves. are made from organic cotton and fairly traded rubber.