As well as going organic, there are many other factors these days. No-dig gardening and farming is popular. This not only keeps carbon in the soil and helps your back, but prevents weeds naturally and means earthworms and grub beetles (mini stag beetles) don’t get sliced in half, by a garden fork or spade.
The Garden Tool Handbook is a colourful illustrated guide on finding the most effective and economical ways to grow food, with minimal quality tools. You’ll also learn how to ensure a smooth workflow and protect your back, and learn how to use comfortable hand tools most of the time, which is also good for local wildlife. And won’t have neighbours making noise complaints!
Learn how to make gardens safe for pets (use wildlife-friendly netting alternatives as most is larger than 0.5mm gaps recommended that could trap). Never face indoor trees to gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows. And know trees to avoid near horses (including yew and oak).
If you can, use garden shears over strimmers (often these cause terrible injuries to frogs and hedgehogs). If using, then at least sweep through first with a broom to let them escape. Same with mowers (hand mowing is good for small lawns). Avoid robotic mowers as studies show that hibernating or sleepy wildlife can’t escape in time.
All you need are a few garden tools like a trowel and trug, a good pair of secateurs and pruners. No-dig gardener Charles Dowding says rather than invest in everything and the sun, just accept that sometimes wildlife share part of the harvest. He says that sometimes when they are eating dinner, rabbits almost ‘wave at them’ as they go past the window, about to go off and help themselves to a few of his plants!
Also get some vegan gardening gloves. Donkey Gloves are vegan-friendly and good quality and profits help a local animal sanctuary. Due to synthetic materials, use a microplastic catcher if laundering.
