Sustainable gardening: How gardening can be climate-friendly

Heatwaves, intense rain and storms: Climate change has many consequences that impact on our daily lives. Winters are becoming wetter and milder, and summers drier and hotter – the current changes in the weather give an indication of what we can expect in the future if nothing changes. Climate protection and sustainable lifestyles have made it into mainstream society, as the changes in consumer behaviour demonstrate: Growing numbers now check the environmental credentials of the products they buy.. Sustainability is booming in the interiors industry .

Climate-friendly (consumer) behaviour can be applied to all spheres of the home and life – including the garden. That might sound paradoxical at first – after all, plants grow in the garden, and plants are organic, so shouldn’t all gardens be environmentally friendly and organic? In theory, this reasoning is correct, but in practice, sustainable gardening is about much more than just plants. A climate-friendly garden:

• Uses the natural climate and natural soil
• Does without chemical fertilisers
• Minimises the use of pesticides, fungicides and herbicides
• Encourages native plants
• Consumes only a little additional water

Climate change stopped being an abstract phenomenon some time ago and is now influencing our everyday lives. And this can be felt in our gardens, too: withered plants, brown lawns and colossal water consumption are the consequences. A climate-friendly garden is the answer to these problems, and it can be achieved with just a little effort and expense.

1. Plant climate-compatible flowers

Biologists are already observing how our flora is changing because of climate change. Species that love warmth are spreading, while plants that prefer cool conditions are becoming rarer. Anyone interested in sustainable planting should opt for native plants that are not transported long distances. Ideally, they should be planted as young as possible. Vines or roses, for example, have long roots, which allow them to reach water in the deeper layers of soil. This means they need watering less often.

2. Create shaded areas in the garden

Shade-providing trees are especially important. They do more than just shield the rays; they also protect smaller plants from getting scorched in the mid-day sun. It’s important to whitewash young trees to give them protection against sunburn. If you don’t have space for trees, a shade sail is a great alternative. Stretched over a terrace or a lawn, they create shade – and they’re UV-resistant.

3. Go for more green than concrete

Paved elements can be found in almost every garden: in the terrace, path or garden walls. Sealed surfaces may be easier to maintain than green spaces, but they’re more harmful to the environment. Sealing the soil prevents it from soaking up rainwater. In high summer, stone absorbs lots of heat during the day and releases it at night. If sealed elements are unavoidable, go for pale materials because they reflect more heat.

4. Choose sustainable garden furniture

Alongside the plant design, furniture also plays a key role in a climate-friendly garden. The garden furniture trends for 2022 focus on sustainability. Materials made from native wood are a more environmentally friendly and resource-efficient alternative to plastic products. Ethically produced garden furniture made from recycled raw materials, such as the Acapulco chair by Acapulco Design , can be used to create a climate-friendly garden.

Climate change is having an enormous impact on water consumption. Gardens consume vast quantities of it – especially in summer. But a lot of water is often wasted. To make a garden climate-friendly, it’s enough to water plants thoroughly once per week. Watering little and often encourages the roots to stay close to the surface, where they dry out faster. Less frequent but intense watering forces the roots to go deep and find moisture alone. Gardens don’t have to be irrigated with water from the mains. Nature provides ample rain for watering. Big water butts are perfect for catching and storing rainwater.

Gardening is a big trend. If allotment gardening societies weren’t already booming, they really took off during the pandemic. Now they are swamped with enquiries from would-be gardeners. But today an oasis of green is about more than just plants. Climate change is having an impact here, too, and prompting gardeners to rethink. There are many ways to create a climate-friendly garden. The beautiful thing about it is that a few simple steps are all it takes to do something for the environment in your own garden.

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