Note: this is a guest post and consideration was received for its publication. photo: CC-licensed image of a backyard vegetable garden by Will Merydith
Just because
your garden is outdoors and you have a few plants in it doesn’t mean it’s
particularly eco-friendly. It seems a lot easier to make eco-friendly changes
inside your home rather than outside it, but it’s actually the other way
around. There are so many easy ways you can make your garden kinder to the
environment, and there’s something to suit everyone’s budget.
Use solar lamps
Solar lamps are
a great way to easily light up your garden in the evenings without using
electricity. For most people, this is actually easier and more accessible than
using light-bulb lamps, as many people don’t have outdoor plug sockets and
having them fitted can be a bit of a pain. Solar lamps are now much cheaper
than they were a few years ago, and can be picked up relatively cheaply, so
being eco-friendly doesn’t have to break the bank.
Swap electric heaters for a chimenea
Heating your
garden on cool evenings doesn’t have to use up electricity. Cut your electric
bills and be kinder to the environment by investing in a chimenea. Chimeneas
are clay open fire garden heaters in which you can burn wood; it’s basically a
contained fire, and creates a cosy feel in your garden at night. They’re also
great for toasting marshmallows on, so it’s something kids will love for a post
dinner treat.
Build a pond
Building a
pond in your garden is perhaps a little more extravagant than the previous
suggestions, yet even better for the environment. Freshwater habitats for are
experiencing a decline, and by having a pond in your garden you can really make
a difference to local wildlife struggling to find a suitable dwelling. Insects, spiders, crustaceans, amphibians,
reptiles, fish, birds and mammals will all benefit from your pond, meaning
you’re really benefitting the eco-system. As long as you keep them supervised,
children will love spending time around the pond and monitoring the different
wildlife that comes to visit. If have a little freshwater haven in your back
yard sounds like an appealing way to make your outdoor space more eco-friendly,
then check out All Pond Solutions.
Provide a bird house
Just like pond wildlife, safe places for birds to build their
nests and protect their young are in dramatic decline as more and more forest
areas are being destroyed to make way for new housing developments and other
industrial buildings. Providing a bird house in your garden will help the local
bird population, giving it the chance to prosper. You can also buy bird house
cameras that link up to your TV, so you can watch the development of the chicks
and see what goes on in the nest. Hanging up a bird feeder will also help
whilst attracting all different kinds of birds to your garden.
Grow your own fruit and vegetables
Dedicating
a corner of your garden to growing your own produce is a great way to be more
eco-friendly whilst saving some money. Plus, it’ll be fun for children to help
out and watch the seeds they planted turn into things they can eat. It may seem
complicated if you’re not so green-fingered, but it doesn’t have to be
difficult! There’s plenty of advice available online, so have a read through this guide
to growing your own fruit and vegetables.