Spring 2021 is officially here. Garden season is upon us and such a time has never been more attractive to the modern homeowner considering the past 12 months. After seeing those same four walls for more time than most of us cared for, we’re more than ready to embrace the outside world.
While many are aware of the methods, products and tools utilised in the modern-day garden, you may be surprised to discover that some actually harm the environment rather than working to encourage and strengthen it. Synthetic fertilisers, plant food and pesticides, leave a damaging environmental impact and are toxic to humans as well as animals. As a result, many proud garden enthusiasts have turned to utilising sustainable practices in their garden, such as homemade compost and recycled water systems. Additionally, many exterior wood treatments now feature natural shades and eco-friendly ingredients, as well as promoting excellent weather durable capabilities.
Methods and products such as these show it is entirely possible to introduce an eco-friendly approach to the function of your garden. Moreover, they can be key to its sense of identity and aesthetic design.
Eco-friendly and locally sourced materials
Sustainably sourced materials are a strong signifier of an eco-friendly garden. By sourcing your materials locally, you cut on shipping and distribution emissions, whilst also helping to support a local business. The aesthetic also fits in perfectly with the outside environment. Really, it’s a win-win situation.
Many modern sources now apply fairly rigorous eco-friendly practices within their business, and these can often be identified with the admission of an environmentally friendly certificate. Read our blog on sourcing sustainable furniture for further reading on this crucial practice.
Recycle and reuse
Using compost waste and recycling practices in your garden is an efficient way to go green and promote a sustainable approach in your garden. Recycled materials also plentifully ideal for creating a vintage tone to your garden that does wonders for a sense of creative identity. The price for materials can vary from distributors, so always be sure to check alternative sources online or at local recycling centres. You may well be pleasantly surprised by what you can uncover.
Reclaimed wood can often be readily used to create alternative pieces that contribute towards a novel sense of design, such as the use of railway sleepers. These characterful pieces are incredibly versatile and bring a rustic quality with their use in the garden. To protect these unique pieces, we have a number of high-quality treatment products, such as Barretine Creosolve, an oil-based treatment developed as a safer, more environmentally friendly alternative to environmentally damaging Creosolve.
A Green Aesthetic
Green is the word of the day and the universal signifier for eco-friendly. Whether through a more natural approach or by introducing shades of green to your existing shed, fence panels or summer house, green belongs in the garden and an abundance of it will only bring calm and positivity to your outside space.
To ensure this aesthetic, we recommend Osmo Country Colour as the ideal product for the job at hand. An oil-based, paint-like colour finish provides long-lasting protection from weather and UV, with an aesthetic that looks great on smooth fence panels and summer houses. A biocide and preservative-free makeup also means its friendly to little critters, both good and bad.
Grow your own herbs/vegetables
If you don’t quite have space or resources for your own vegetable patch, there are a number of creative and alternative ways you can introduce a smaller, herb garden to your outside space. Read our blog on pallet wood projects for ideas.
Homegrown vegetable patches are sustainability exemplified. The benefits of this organic practice are plain to see, while the rewards of picking and cooking with food grown from your own backyard are more than plentiful. The most advantageous quality? If properly maintained, they’ll always be there to turn back to.
Organic Fencing
Whether removing dead branches and leaves or simply trimming by necessity, trees in the garden require a touch of care and maintenance in order to protect their beautiful aesthetic. But rather than simply disposing of your work, it can be combined with spare wood or wooden pallets to create beautiful, organic fencing. This sustainable, reusable practice can, in turn, evoke a unique, naturalistic aesthetic in your garden.
Create a “Relax Area”
What are these ecological ideas for if not to create a delightfully rewarding and accessible garden? A crucial way to further complement your tone of admiration is to introduce an enjoyable space to your garden. Perhaps you hold a desire to introduce some form of decking? A place to pitch your lawn chair and properly relax?
In this regard, Manns UV Decking Oil is created with just this purpose in mind. Its multi-purpose design assures excellent versatility, with characteristics that ensure solid protection from weathering and UV damage. Moreover, it harbours the ability to protect your decking from timber splitting and warping. It’s a heavily reliable product that provides the assurance and peace of mind your new relax area deserves.
Need help with your garden project?
Contact our team of resident experts who are always on hand to help with project advice and product recommendations. Alternatively, see our FAQ page which covers many of the most commonly asked questions.
We love to see before, during and after photos of any wood finishing project. If you would like to share your project pictures with us and our followers, you can either send us some photos or share on our Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram pages.
