Sustainability in the garden

The garden is a great place to recycle and repurpose all sorts of items that could otherwise end up as landfill.Recycling and reusing materials is an important part of sustainability because it reduces the negative impact on the environment - every little bit helps, no matter how unimportant it may seem.

With people becoming more conscious and focused on sustainability and thinking “green” these days, there are many ways you can start to make a difference. One way of achieving this is to reduce the amount of waste you produce. Composting Using a compost bin is an easy and simple way to start making a positive impact on the environment. Composting contributes to a sustainable lifestyle by converting household organic waste into a rich soil that is beneficial to your garden, adding nutrients and improving soil structure. A considerable amount of household garbage is made up of food or garden waste. By composting you will immediately notice a significant reduction of rubbish in your bin which results in less waste for you and less rubbish in landfill sites. It also reduces the methane levels. Composted matter retains moisture better than most soils therefore helping to maintain healthier plant life and decrease evaporation. It also nourishes our soil enabling us to get more use from it in the future. WORM FARMS are also a great way to dispose of your leftover kitchen scraps making them quickly turn into a rich fertiliser for your garden. They are simple, easy and fun for the kids. Water tanks Using a water tank is a great and practical way to help the environment. The tank will capture and hold rain and storm water and reduce run-off. By using this water it will help to ease our water supply and promote water conservation and in turn, ultimately save you money on your water bill. This water can be used for watering your gardens and lawns (handy for when water restrictions are imposed), washing the car, topping up pools and flushing toilets. These tanks come in many shapes and sizes to suit all homes. Solar lighting Adding solar lighting to your garden and outdoor area will lessen your home’s carbon footprint and help conserve the environment. Solar lights are easy to install and create a nice ambience in your garden. They also make your access areas and paths safer for family and visitors, plus you will be saving money on your electricity bill. Pallets Timber pallets are an environmentally sustainable way of transporting goods for businesses but they are also reusable and recyclable and with a bit of imagination and creativity many clever garden projects can be achieved by using them. Here are some practical ideas for garden projects: • A raised vegetable or herb garden • A vertical herb garden • Garden furniture, a garden potting bench, decking, screening • Compost bin, planter box, bird house • Garden or tool shed • Stand a pallet upright against a wall as great garden tool holder. With a bit of sanding and a coat of paint if needed, a recycled pallet can become a functional and practical addition to your garden. Tyres The number of used tyres dumped every year is enormous and presents a serious problem to the environment. Think about how you can reuse your old car tyres to save it ending up in landfill. Here are some practical tips: • Create a swing for the children or fill with sand for a sandpit. • Planters: make a feature on the fence with painted planted tyres or use as planters scattered around the yard.

Different sized tyres can be made into a tiered planter. • 2 or 3 tyres painted with a glass top to make an outdoor coffee table. • Garden edgings. Tiles You can use your artistic mind to create a unique piece of art from recycled tiles or pieces of old china or ceramics. Don’t dump those extra left over tiles after tiling the bathroom or kitchen. Get creative and paint a feature on the tiles for your balcony, courtyard or garden. Use old china and ceramics to make a mosaic feature, mosaic an old terracotta pot, create a unique outdoor coffee table, birdbath or stepping stone in your garden.

Whether you create a unique garden art form from recycled materials or simply reuse some old objects for practical purposes, it is always beneficial to our environment.

Margie Tweedie www.margantiledesign.com.au