I’d like to think that my gardening practices were reasonably environmentally sustainable, but there is definitely still room for improvement. Here are my intentions for 2019:
1. Cut back on plastic
The horticultural industry is notoriously bad for generating mountains of single-use, non-recyclable plastics. I don’t recall ever purchasing empty plastic plant pots; there is an abundant supply at Hulme Community Garden Centre’s pot rescue station. However, I do have some black plastic modular trays lurking in my cellar.
Now is therefore the time to embrace the Blue Peter approach and start collecting cardboard toilet rolls. These can be cut in half and used as modules when it comes to seed-sowing time in the spring. When the seedlings have been potted on, the old cardboard can just be thrown on the compost heap.
2. Use harvested rainwater
The exceptionally dry summer of 2018 was a case in point, and as the effects of global warming become more evident, the need to conserve water becomes paramount. We inherited three large water butts from the previous home owner. They are connected in series, refill impressively quickly when it rains, and I estimate their combined capacity to be in the region of about 1,000 litres.
Unfortunately, utilising the water from our water butts involves filling watering cans one at a time and carrying them up and down the garden, which is somewhat laborious. I must confess that the easier option of clicking a hose with spray-gun on to the outside tap meant that I didn’t even empty the water butts, despite the drought.
In 2019, I will look into the pumps and connections required to connect the water butts to the hosepipe. Watering the garden with harvested rainwater will become easier and less time consuming whilst contributing to water conservation efforts. What’s not to like?
3. Adopt more permaculture planting principles
My first two resolutions are already important permaculture principles. In 2019, I would like to focus more on perennial planting, including research into perennial food crops that might be appropriate for my garden.
For edibles, one easy win is to plant some rhubarb; I’ve been meaning to do that since we moved in. Also, instead of planting up summer containers for my front garden with water-hungry annuals such as petunias and busy lizzies, I will look in to some perennial alternatives which are happy to over-winter in their containers or can be planted into the back garden for the colder months.
I’ve had three hardy fuchsia plants in containers for more than five years now. With an occasional light pruning and an annual top-dressing of compost, I am hoping that they will continue to bring me pleasure for many more years to come.
