Environmentally friendly landscaping – doing your bit for the planet

It’s never been more important than ever to do our bit for our planet. The average surface temperature has risen around 1.18 degrees Celsius since the late 19th century, due to an increase in carbon dioxide related to human activities.
Now 800 million people, 11% of the world’s population, are vulnerable to the effects of climate change such as floods, droughts, heat waves, and a rising sea level.

At the UN Climate Change Conference UK 2021 one of the key goals was to protect natural habitats, something that can be achieved by using environmentally friendly landscaping practices.

There are plenty of environmentally friendly landscaping ideas to make sure you do your bit. Not only will it help our planet, but it could save time and money too.

Environmentally friendly landscape products

Using products that are kinder to the environment is an easy way of being environmentally friendly.

The products we stock include black Grassrings and Gravelrings, that are made from 100% recycled plastic. We also stock Alu Excel edging which is made from recycled aluminium. These products are not only made from recycled material but they are made in the UK which reduces your carbon footprint because there’s no international transport needed.

• Use artificial grass

  Laying artificial grass is a great way to create a sustainable garden that also saves a lot of time and energy in maintaining it. While not an environmentally friendly product because of the material it is made with, it can be more environmentally friendly than grass.

  You don’t have to use equipment that pollutes our planet, such as a petrol lawn mower to mow it, you don’t need to use chemicals on it, and you don’t need to waste water. It’s an easy way to create green landscaping that looks great and saves you time and money.

• Get rid of your lawn

  A lawn can be harmful to the environment. Lawns consume nearly 3 trillion gallons of water a year, 200 million gallons of gas (on mowing), and 70 million pounds of pesticides. They also inhibit pollinators which are vital to biodiversity.

  Replacing lawns with decking could help turn gardens into a more environmentally friendly and sustainable environment. Decking not only is a great way to help the planet but it looks great and is both durable and low maintenance.

  We stock Millboard decking which has no wood content. This helps protect our forests from deforestation which in turn decreases carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide warms up our planet and causes increased natural disasters such as flooding, leading to mass homelessness.

  It is mineral-based and combines the natural beauty of real wood with the durability of polyurethane. With Millboard there is no rotting, warping or deterioration like there is with natural wood.

• Plant wildflowers

  Wildflowers are flowers that normally grow in the wild. Of course, seeds such as the pro flora wildflower seed mix we stock, can be used to scatter in your garden.

  Planting wildflowers makes a difference to our planet because they’re great for wildlife. They provide pollinators such as bees with food, shelter and a place to produce young. They’re also a good source of food in the winter for birds and small mammals who will be attracted to them.

  Creating an environmentally friendly landscape design will not only help the environment but will make any garden a hive of activity for wildlife and it will feel like a piece of idyllic countryside.

• Use environmentally friendly gardening tools

  Gardening equipment can cause a lot of carbon dioxide emissions. You can prevent or reduce your fuel emissions and save time and money on environmentally friendly versions.

  When buying new tools, check to see if they are environmentally friendly. Do they contain any logos to show their sustainability? Are they biodegradable? Do they have reduced or recyclable packaging? Do they contain any chemicals?

  Purchase metal versions of your tools, such as trowels, instead of plastic. Not only is metal better for the environment but it lasts longer and is durable.

  Plastic is incredibly harmful to our environment. Planet-warming fuels such as gas, oil, and coal are often used in the production of plastic.

  Plastic harms wildlife and spreads toxins, with over 12 million tonnes of it entering our seas a year.

  Choosing non-plastic tools can help reduce this amount, along with choosing tools with reduced or sustainable packaging.

  In some cases, tools instead of chemicals, can be used. A hand cultivator can dig up weeds while aerating the soil which creates a healthier environment for plants and wildlife. Instead of using chemicals to get rid of weeds, a hand cultivator means only purchasing one item instead of lots of plastic bottles of chemicals, and will last longer, making it more economical too.

• Save water

  Make sure you are being efficient with water.

  Collect rainwater and use irrigation systems in gardens to conserve water consumption.

  We stock porous, rubber pipes that are made from recycled car tyres, which is a great way to reuse a material that is a big polluter. The pipes allow for a wide pressure range for the water to seep out of the walls of the pipe and through the garden for surface and subsurface irrigation.

  Consider environmentally friendly equipment and products when purchasing supplies. This can make a big difference to carbon emissions, just by this one change.

  Look at what products and equipment you use now and check if these are the best options, both for the environment, and for saving you time and money.

Landscapes Direct is an established supplier of high-quality landscaping and gardening products to the landscape gardening trade. We pride ourselves on the high levels of support we provide for our clients. Find out more about how we can help you on 0800 731 6534 or sales@ld-uk.com.