Enjoy your garden - and help the environment | News

Spending time in your garden is a great way to relax and enjoy the sunshine. You can also make small changes to help local wildlife and save water while you're out in the garden.

Save water:
Here are some easy ways to save water and cut costs:

• Use a watering can instead of a hose
• Avoid digging too much – it dries out the soil
• Add compost to your soil to hold water and nutrients
• Use a water butt to collect rainwater
• Water plants early in the morning or late in the evening
• Avoid sprinklers – they waste water and don’t help roots grow deep.

Planting tips

• Choose drought-resistant plants like geraniums
• Water plants while they’re still in pots to help them grow
• Group plants close together to shade the soil and boost crops
• Use grow bags and place pots so they touch the bottom
• Line pots and hanging baskets with plastic to hold water longer.

Grow your own

• Growing fruit and vegetables is fun and saves money. Here’s how to get started:
• Use seed packs or grow-your-own kits
• Follow the instructions on the pack
• Keep plants watered and free from pests
• Try using cling film to create a mini greenhouse effect.

Encourage wildlife
Make your garden a safe space for birds, bees and insects:

• Add bird feeders and bird boxes
• Plant nectar-rich flowers like lavender and nepeta
• Avoid over-digging – let worms do the work
• Don’t over-trim – wildlife prefers natural spaces.

We hope these tips can help you make the most of summer months!