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Tips for a greener garden

Many people are now making a conscious effort to save energy in the home, all too aware of the impact our actions can have on the environment.

But those efforts should extend beyond bricks and mortar and out into the garden, where there are more opportunities to limit our damage to the World around us.

By making small adjustments to our outdoor spaces, we can help ensure our gardens are not only green – but eco-friendly too.

Energy saving

Lighting your house with low-energy light bulbs is a great start in reducing your carbon footprint - but have you found a green solution to garden lighting?

Most outdoor lighting doesn’t support energy saving bulbs, but, fortunately, alternatives are available.

Solar lights will store up energy from the sun during the day, and use it to switch on automatically when dusk falls. Even the much-derided British climate is sufficient to power the lights.

Not only are they environmentally friendly, they’re also greatly versatile. With no wiring to consider, solar lights can be placed in almost any position that’s not permanently shaded.

Green garden furniture

A fundamental part of outdoor living, garden furniture is also a consideration in making your garden as green as possible.

Some garden furniture is crafted from timber illegally logged from unsustainable forests. Such activity can destroy areas that are among the world’s most ancient sources of wood.

To avoid it, look for the logo of the FSC, the Forest Stewardship Council, when you shop for your furniture. The mark of the FSC guarantees that the wood comes from sustainable, well-managed sources.

You may even want to consider putting your support behind products native to your country – making a stand against the environmental impact of air miles.

Save water

The need to save water is not yet on everybody’s agenda. But of all the water in the world, only 3% is fresh – and an even smaller percentage is accessible for us.

The garden represents an excellent opportunity to save water and help the environment.

A simple water butt will help you store rain water for irrigation. They are widely available and highly cost-effective too, given the money you’ll be saving on water bills.

You could also choose plants and shrubs which don’t require much watering – helping the environment while ensuring your garden remains in full bloom.

http://www.greenandeasy.co.uk/ - A list of environmentally friendly garden products.