SUSTAINABLE APPROACHES

Throughout our design philosophy, we believe there can be a successful and uncompromising balance between sustainability and aesthetic beauty. We believe that beauty is more than skin deep. These choices can be beneficial for nature, the environment and humankind, as well as benefit the use, style and cost of your garden construction and having the potential for financial savings throughout the life of your garden.

Here we look into some simple choices that can have a great impact in terms of Carbon vs Water vs Fossil fuels.

Hard Materials and Soft Materials

Large planting areas might seem daunting but soft materials such as planting beds and lawns are often cheaper than hard materials and can also help with water management, flood prevention, increasing biodiversity, and global heating.

Areas of planting can hold water and filter it through the soil and take water up through the plant’s roots, reducing surface water going to overflow drains or unwanted areas, as well as many other positives on personal well-being, air conditions and simply being beautiful with everchanging seasonal interest.

Unlike planting, hard materials absorb heat creating sometimes unbearable temperatures within the garden, a good balance of planting and hard materials can be a perfect combination within a garden visually and practically.

Stone

Stone lasts a very long time and can even be re-used several times.

If sourced locally, it can have a very low fossil fuel/ cartoon output, especially when taking in its total life span.

If laid on lime mortar/ sand base can be lifted later as opposed to laying on a cement base. Cement also has high energy costs within its own production.

Paving can also be laid straight on Mot (DOP) type 1 with planting within gaps, this will also help with water management.

If you would like to use stone that involves long-distance transportation looking for recycled/ reused stone can have a lower impact than shipping new stone

wood

Oak is long-lasting and native, however, most native oak isn’t very straight and can often be shipped in for construction. Oak forests for construction materials are rare in the UK.

Softwoods such as Pine are cheaper initially however their long term viability is limited without proper care throughout their lifespan.

Western red cedar is fast-growing, looks good, its naturally robust and can be a sustainable material. There are questions over the mass farming of cedar woods which should be considered when sourcing materls.

Look for FSC wood as this is a standard that ensures the wood is sourced from a responsibly managed woodland with a focus on being environmentally conscious and economically viable.

Decking

Consider composite decking - this has a long life span and can also be reused. Western red cedar fast-growing looks good - this repeats the above

Metal

Using recycled metal, or making sure the metal can be reused at a later time. also, think about paints.

Paving surface.

Permeable paving - meaning water can filter down through it into the ground

This helps the water go back into the ground and reduces the pressure on water drainage systems. This also has a great effect on planting and watering needs within the garden. Materials such as gravel will allow for ample drainage however there are also many ways to lay solid surfaces such as clay pavers on a permeable surface. If laid with consideration some of the runoff can also be directed into the planting turning this into a positive

Transport

Sourcing local materials, not only help your garden fit in with the area around you but also help reduce fossil fuels in transport.

Human Values

Looking for ethically sourced materials, this is a real issue in the sourcing of stone look for a supply that has backing from an ethical trading body

Water butts

Water butts can be seen as basic but with careful placement they can be disguised or hidden in a garden allowing you to collect rainwater. Don't forget Pumps can also be connected to water butts to help with watering.

Rain gardens

Sunken planting areas to retain water runoff during short periods of heavy rainfall to create stone ‘rivers’ to help direct water and filter through the soil.

Ponds

Contain water within your garden for the extra benefit of wildlife, attracting pollinating insects and hub for wildlife to use.

Limited use of fertilisers 

Many of the plants used commonly in gardens have evolved to be able to manage and adapt to varied environments. As a result of this, they require limited resources to be able to thrive. This coupled with a robust root network being supported by a mycelium network should allow the plants to acquire most of the resources they need without the need for fertilisers. Where possible we will choose plants that are suitable for the given environment allowing them to thrive within the space given, much like the idea of ‘right plant, ‘right place’.

This is not a one size fits all method and there will be cases where fertilisers are needed such as vegetable crops and potted plants however where we can encourage nature to help manage the needs of the plants. 

Mainly stress-tolerant plants, for example, plants use in poor soil such as rosemary, or plants for shade such as ferns or wild meadow plants), once established can not take up the rich nutrients that many fertilisers included. Therefore mainly benefits weeds within your flower beds. 

Mulches of organic material such as composted bark, woodchip or well-rotted manure have shown great improvement in soil condition and nutrients. 

Selective weeds 

Many weeds can have benefits not only to wildlife but aesthetics however this is usually a very selective choice that can link well with specific design refinement. 

Further reading/ useful sites and links

Smith. C, Clayton. A, Dunnett. N - Residential landscape sustainability, Blackwell Publishing

BBC Gardens world magazine Podcast, Growing Greener series

Jack Wallington - Website https://www.jackwallington.com/

All the information on this page is meant as a starting point to open ideas about use of materials within your garden. Before using this information we would advise you to talk through your plans with an accredited landscaper before making adjustments to your garden.