Can Gardening be Zero-Waste?

by Lizzie Linney February 19, 2021

Gardening isn't always considered the most wasteful or environmentally damaging of pastimes, but there are always things to consider. So, if you're a green-fingered hobbyist and about to prepare your garden for Spring, consider how you might do so in as eco-friendly a way as possible with these tips...

1. Tools

Quality is key. It's definitely worth investing in good quality garden tools because they're less likely to break and need replacing. There are some really great second-hand ones available and, most importantly, avoid plastic wherever possible!

Tabitha Eve Eco Friendly Gardening Trowels in soil

2. Watering

Yes, your plants need water, but taking from the tap or hosepipe every time isn't always necessary. If you have the space - try collecting rain water instead! You can also make great use of your "grey water". So next time you're running the tap waiting for the water to warm up, pop a container underneath to catch anything that would otherwise go straight down the drain.

3. Mulch

This is anything that's laid over the soil for protection and to keep weeds at bay. It also helps conserve moisture so your plants might need watering less often. It has lots of uses but the important thing to remember is that, whatever you use, make sure it's biodegradable and breaks back down into the soil. This could be newspaper or cardboard, wood chippings or even pine needles. Learn more here>>

Tabitha Eve Eco Friendly Gardening planting mulch straw

4. Plant pots

It's very easy to build up quite a collection of plastic plant pots from numerous visits to the garden centre over the years. Lots of centres or nurseries will take them back and reuse them so do some research and see if any in your area offer this service. Otherwise, you can reuse or upcycle them as shakers, fillers for large pots or liners for containers with no drainage.

5. Fertilizer

Make your own! Not only will this be kinder to the environment but it's also a great way of reducing waste as well (you can use food scraps, grass cuttings etc.). Click here for some top tips.