Making your garden more eco-friendly

by Samantha Hacker

Creating an eco-friendly garden isn't just about the way it looks. It's more important than ever that we embrace biodiversity and sustainability in to our everyday lives, and our own outdoor spaces are a great place to start.

When it comes to making your garden more eco-friendly, small changes can make a big difference. Here are some places to start.

Green roof storage

A green roof wheelie bin and recycling bin store, with sedum plants, shown in a front garden

In a world where we are all rightly becoming much more eco-conscious, green roofs are an innovative way to blend functionality, environmental benefits and aesthetics. As well as fulfilling the primary purpose of storage, there are a whole heap of other benefits to having some extra luscious greenery in your outdoor space.

  • Odour reduction

Green roofs on bin stores serve as natural odour filters, helping to reduce unpleasant smells that often seep out from waste bins. Planting fragrant plants such as herbs or flowers will go the extra mile to really help your outdoor space stay smelling fresh. Have a look at what plants suit a green roof.

The green roof layer acts as insulation, helping to regulate temperatures within the bin store, thereby reducing the likelihood of odours intensifying due to the summer heat.

  • Noise reduction

Plants and vegetation act to absorb noise, so the more you have in your garden, the better. Particularly in urban areas, green roofs can help to contribute towards reducing the noise from road traffic and the general hustle and bustle of city life.

  • Environmental benefits

The vegetation on green roofs helps towards biodiversity, attracting a variety of important pollinators including insects, bees and birds.

  • Wood protection

A green roof on top of your log store protects your firewood from excessive moisture, preserving the quality of the wood by preventing rot. At the same time, having an outdoor log store makes sure your logs get adequate air flow, also helping to prevent rot and mould.

Sustainably-sourced timber also adds an aesthetic touch, offering a much more attractive option than plastic products available.

Indigenous plants

Choose native plants indigenous to your region wherever you can. They are adapted to the local climate and soil, helping biodiversity and providing habitats for local wildlife.

Composting

Creating your own compost is a great way to efficiently reuse kitchen waste. You will then have organic soil to use in the garden and will save yourself some pennies by having to buy less fertiliser and soil from the garden centre. Our beehive style compost bins offer a very cute way to make your own compost.  

Beehive style compost bin in a garden setting

Chemical-free pest control

There are several natural techniques to use that repel pests and help preserve your plants but still don't harm other wildlife. For instance, planting marigolds alongside vegetables can deter certain insects. Copper strips around your vegetation can help prevent slugs from eating your plants.

With some simple changes, it's easy to see how you can turn your garden in to an even friendlier place for wildlife and the environment.

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