Sustainable Gardening

There are many small ways in which we can all make our gardens and our gardening practices more sustainable. When judging this years entries, Haringey in Bloom judges will consider how you encourage wildlife into your garden and help it to thrive or how resources are used. The points below provide some small ways in which this can be done.

Wildlife Gardening

Use plants that thrive during hotter, drier summers and that require less watering
Plant native hedgerows to provide nesting sites and introduce berries and nuts that will feed wildlife
Mulching attracts insects, creating food for birds, hedgehogs and other wildlife
Encourage wildlife into gardens by installing insect houses and building log piles
Install bird boxes and feeders
Create a pond or a water container to attract wildlife
Try to avoid harmful pesticides

Saving Resources

Catch rain water with a water butt
Laying mulch around your plants, locks in moisture
Water roots of plants - not leaves
Re-use water from your bath or shower
Relocate container plants into the shade and group together so they lose less water
Remove weeds as they suck moisture from the soil
Compost kitchen and garden waste
Use recycled materials in the garden
Avoid peat based products