The more trees we plant, the better the environment we live in
Reducing the
CARBON FOOTPRINT
in your garden Gardening can seem a green hobby not likely to cause too much upset to the environment but Somerset gardener and passionate environmentalist Adam Morgan argues we all can do more to reduce our garden’s carbon footprint We gardeners often rightly think we are the good guys when it comes to looking after the environment and there is not much we can all do when it comes to impacting our carbon footprint. I would disagree. Certain activities, such as mowing the lawn, using peat-based composts and even buying plants, involve a great deal of natural resources, which all contribute to your garden’s carbon footprint. You don’t have to garden in a resource-heavy way. There are plenty of small changes you can make that will reduce the impact you and your garden have on the planet. Our gardens have potential to store huge amounts of carbon, as well as mitigate some of the effects of climate change such as flooding risk, urban heat island effect and loss of biodiversity. The more you can do in your garden the healthier the planet will be – we can all make a difference. All plants absorb carbon dioxide, so the more plants we grow, the more carbon dioxide is absorbed. Grow climbing plants such as ivy up walls and fences, and grow trees and shrubs wherever possible. What’s more, growing plants up the side of your house can help regulate temperatures, keeping you warmer in winter and cooler in summer (think of them as nature’s air conditioning). This can reduce use of central heating and air conditioning, further reducing your carbon footprint. Pot-grown plants are usually grown in large nurseries, where they’re exposed to artificial lighting and heat, and then transported in lorries to individual garden centres across the country. Most are grown in peat. By contrast, by growing plants from seed, you reduce enormous transport costs, can sow them at the right time of year -reducing the need for artificial heat and light and use a peat-free compost. To further reduce your carbon footprint, buy seed from local seed swaps and gardening groups, or save your own. 30
Power down Power tools from lawn mowers to hedge trimmers by definition aren’t great for the environment. For example a medium sized lawn mower running for an hour and consuming a litre of fuel will emit a fairly considerable 2.1kg of carbon dioxide, the equivalent of driving about 15 miles in a medium sized car, Consider swapping your petrol mower for an electric one, and using hand tools rather than hedge trimmers, leaf blowers and strimmers. You will spend more time doing these jobs, but you may find you prefer to take things more slowly and quietly – gardening is supposed to be relaxing after all!
COLLECT MORE WATER Crops grow better with natural rainwater so it makes sense to collect as much as you can. Rain also contains traces of nitrates, essential for plant growth. Fresh, treated mains water isn’t all that great for the environment – or the garden. For a start it has to be extracted from somewhere. Then it has to be purified then stored, before finally being pumped into our homes. This requires a lot of energy and an inordinate volume of chemicals to treat the water. Every roof surface is a potential source of water. If you have a greenhouse or shed, Country Gardener
Using hand tools is a great carbon footprint statement
secure guttering to roof edges and have this feed directly into a butt. Open-ended barrels and containers can be used in this instance but shade the water by covering it with finegauge shade netting. This will keep the water cool, reduce contamination, stop insects from breeding in it and prevent it becoming clogged with green algae. Whatever water you manage to save or reuse will equate to fewer gallons taken directly from our mains supply. Growing food should help to reduce our environmental impact and harvesting your own water will bring you another step closer to truly growing in harmony with nature.