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Gardening in a changing climate
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There are 27 million gardeners and 27,000 parks and national gardens in the UK

 

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What Can I Do?

There is really so much you can do as an individual to minimise the effects of climate change on your garden and to make a positive contribution to the environment.

Whether you have a window box, a terrace, a small or large garden, there are some really obvious things that will encourage your garden to be more climate friendly.

Make the change now by trying some of the ideas listed in the Global Gardening Mantra - it highlights a few obvious things that will make a difference in your garden - whatever size it is.

If you¹re up for the challenge after reading this, then check the How to Pages which go into more detail on gardening in a changing climate.

Global Gardening Climate Change Mantra

Choose drought tolerant plants such as geranium, lavender, thymes, sages, sedums, budlia, cystus, rosemary, salvia, agapanthas, ornamental grasses to name a few.

Letting your plants have a good soak every couple of days will be of more benefit than little and often watering as this does not encourage the plants to form strong roots to go down and search for water.

Install a water butt and water diverter to collect rain water from your roof, and remember to fit water butts to any sheds or greenhouses as well.

Mix water retaining gel into compost for free-standing pots and avoid containers that need regular watering such as hanging baskets.

Apply a mulch to moist ground to conserve water during autumn and spring to a depth of 3 to 4 inches ( chipped bark, mushroom compost or home made compost are good).

Try puddling new plants which means filling the hole with water several times before planting to lock in moisture.

Ensure plants are protected from wind which contributes greatly to drying out.


Cover the tops of containers with pebbles to conserve moisture

Hide plants and pots that are not drought tolerant from mid-day sun

Avoid mowing lawns too often and too short as they survive better in drought
if the blades shade each other

Never water or plant in full sun.


Grey water is re-usable on your garden from your kitchen sink, washing
machine and bath providing that it does not contain much soap or detergent.

Experiment with Global Gardening to make the most of climate change in your garden

 

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