In the arc of an Irish gardening year, May is the month of magical things. The first rose. The first swallow. The first properly hot day. The first beech tree in full leaf. The first sighting of wisteria in magnificent lilac bloom, draping itself languidly against a high, sunny wall. As nature flashes its brilliant feathers, it’s also our last real opportunity before summer finally arrives to make a substantial difference to our gardens or allotments, whether that’s filling them with fast-growing annuals to provide plenty of homegrown produce for the months ahead, planting up spectacular summer containers, or fine-tuning flower borders for maximum impact. With all of this in mind, here’s a handy little to-do list to help you stay on course.
6 Ways to Be More Sustainable in Your Garden This Year
08.05.2024 - 11:05 / thespruce.com / Cori Sears
ICYMI, sustainability is in this year, and unsustainable gardening practices are out. Not only are sustainable gardening practices more eco-friendly, but they are also more affordable and result in a low-maintenance and ecologically balanced landscape.
If you’re new to eco-friendly and sustainable gardening, it can be hard to know where to start. We spoke to two gardening experts to discover what practices can help homeowners be more sustainable in their gardens.
According to the pros, here are six ways to be more sustainable in your garden this year.
Switching to native plants is one of the best ways to be more sustainable in your garden. Native plants are water efficient, low-maintenance, and essential to the local ecosystem. They provide habitat for pollinators, feed local wildlife, and help combat environmental issues like pollution and water runoff.
“Choose native plants with different bloom times to provide a continuous food source for pollinators throughout the season, such as columbine for spring, yarrow for summer, and aster for fall,” says Mary Phillips, Head of Native Plant Habitat Strategy/Certifications at the National Wildlife Federation.
Want more gardening tips? Sign up for our free gardening newsletter for our best-growing tips, troubleshooting hacks, and more!
Ashleigh Smith, managing editor at True Leaf Market, says companion planting is one of the most overlooked sustainable gardening practices. It involves planting different plant species in beneficial arrangements in your garden. This can be done with various crops, flowers, herbs, vegetables, and more.
“By growing flowers and vegetables in mutually beneficial combinations, gardeners can attract beneficial insects to target known pests,
Your gardening questions answered: Are there any slug-proof plants?
Q: We have a small back garden that includes an old wall covered in ivy. I love the ivy, but it has become home to an army of slugs that have eaten many of my plants over the years. I have tried many different things to combat the slugs (ground eggshells, coffee grinds, various different pellets), none of which have really made that much difference. I am also concerned about using products that may harm the birds that visit the garden and our dog. At this stage, I think I have to accept that the slugs are part of the garden and learn to live with them. So, I would like to look at planting some small shrubs and flowers that are not appealing to slugs. I would be grateful for some suggestions. JM
15 Full-Sun Annuals That Will Add Beautiful Color To Your Garden All Summer Long
<use xlink:href="#trending-icon" xmlns:xlink=«http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink»> Trending Videos
2-for-1 Gardens turns 30!
This year we are celebrating 30 years of 2-for-1 Gardens, and we have 407 gardens taking part, from local hidden gems to national landmarks! To kick off your year of garden visits, we’ve picked out some of the 2-for-1 Gardens in the scheme this year which are perfect for a visit this month. Head out with your 2-for-1 Gardens card and enjoy saving money on days out with friends and family, whilst gathering lots of garden inspiration!
GPOD on the Road: Hershey Gardens, Part 2
Happy Friday, GPODers!
5 Simple Steps for Creating a More Eco-Friendly Garden
For years I’ve heard the same refrain: You can’t have a good-looking garden that is also eco-friendly. It seems that many folks think native plants are too wild looking and that taking a lighter approach to garden cleanup or care will lead to a messy, unkempt landscape. I argue that there are small steps everyone can take to encourage greater biodiversity in their space, all while keeping it attractive.
Cucumber Plant Spacing for High Yields in Gardens and Pots
Cucumbers are among the most popular crops for home gardeners. They’re easy to grow and just a handful of vines can provide enough cucumbers for fresh eating from mid-summer through late fall. But proper cucumber plant spacing can mean the difference between healthy, productive plants and disease ridden, low yielding ones. Let’s take a look at how far apart to plant cucumbers based on your growing technique and the method you use to plant them. Why properly spacing cucumber plants matters Before we dive into the details on proper plant spacing for cucumbers, let’s take a
5 Items You Should Always Store Under Your Bathroom Sink
Instead of filling your medicine cabinet to the brim, think about the types of bathroom items that you can house under the sink instead to save some space. While not everything belongs under the sink, there are many products that you can safely store there, experts say.
Best Plants to Create the Bridgerton Look in your Garden
With the third series of the hit drama about to start and The Bridgerton Garden coming to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show later this month, now is the ideal time to invest in some new plants to bring a touch of Regency glamour and romance to your garden.
Cultivate Confidence in your gardening
How GardenAdvice.co.uk for Beginners Can Empower Your Gardening Journey
The Quickest Way To Clean Your Toaster, According To TikTok
Appliances tend to be the last thing we think about when we’re cleaning our home, but that also means they end up collecting the most dirt, dust, and grime—all as we continue to cook with them.