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Reuse, recycle, sustain is the new gardening mantra – how to garden without damaging the environment, how to encourage biodiversity, how to lessen our carbon footprint through recycling, the minimum use of chemicals, and growing our own food. |
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Here are some simple ways in which we can garden in a more sustainable and natural way. Composting - Buy a compost bin or better still make one from old wooden pallets or recycled wood. Compost all vegetable matter, shredded paper (old bank statements are ideal, thus preventing identity theft as well) and cardboard. Use the well-rotted compost to improve your soil – especially if its clay, as much of Hastings is. If you can’t compost, Rachel Holtom runs a small community composting scheme on the West Hill - call 01424 437652 for more information. Save water - Water butts connected to the rainwater gutters can be used to store water. Reduce water run-off by making a green roof of sedums or ferns on your garage or shed roof; consider returning a paved front garden back to a planted area or lawn – these measures can help prevent flooding. Use a watering can rather than a hose or grow drought resistant plants that need minimum watering. Mulch your vegetable and flower beds to preserve moisture. Garden pests - Encourage natural predators: Hedgehogs, frogs and birds like to eat slugs and snails. Nematodes are a tiny parasitic worm, which will kill vine weevil and slugs, available from gardening websites. Ladybirds and hoverflies will eat aphids and can be encouraged by growing California poppies and the poached egg plant. Birds eat caterpillars – unfortunately cats are not good for gardens as they discourage birds. |
Companion planting - certain plants can benefit others when planted in close proximity. Marigolds are the wonder-drug of the companion plant world. French marigolds produce a pesticidal chemical from their roots, so strong it lasts years after they are gone. Particularly good against aphids. The Allium family (garlic, onions, leeks etc) repel slugs, carrot fly and aphids. Mints (including hyssop, sage, and various "balms") also repel slugs – plant with lettuces. Geraniums are a ‘trap crop’, attracting pests away from roses, grape vines, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant and with rosemary protect brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) from cabbage fly. Beans host nitrogen-fixing bacteria, a good fertilizer for some plants, especially corn, spinach, lettuce, and carrots. Not good with tomatoes, carrots, peppers, alliums or brassicas. Traditional companion plants amongst Native American tribes were known as the three sisters: their three main agricultural crops: squash, maize, and climbing beans. The three crops are planted close together and benefit from each other. The maize provides a structure for the beans to climb, eliminating the need for poles. The beans provide the nitrogen to the soil that the other plants utilize and the squash spreads along the ground, acting as a "living mulch," creating a microclimate to retain moisture in the soil, and suppress weeds. The prickly hairs of the squash deter pests. The Royal Horticultural Society website: www.rhs.org.uk has lots of gardening information.  |
Wiggly Wigglers: www.wigglywigglers.co.uk gardening suppliers will give all readers of the Hastings Handbook 10% off your first order until 30th November, when you quote: FCJ66 online, or over the phone. You can also order a catalogue over the phone on: 01981 500 391 |
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