RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2020: Five sustainable gardening tips from Bosch's Markus Rekittke
Bosch's garden expert Markus Rekittke shares his simple eco steps...
If the RHS Chelsea Flower Show has shown us anything this year, it's how focused we are on developing a more sustainable way of gardening; indeed, the Garden Product of the Year was an environmentally-friendly growing bag. So how can we develop more sustainable garden management practices?
SeeRHS Chelsea Flower Show 2020: The best performing plants for urban gardens
Gardens are currently being transformed into second living rooms and, for many people, are becoming the new centre of life during spare time. Whether you have an allotment garden, use a small piece of lawn behind your townhouse or own a rather big garden plot, they all have their unique charm and offer creative freedom, especially with regard to their maintenance.
TIPS FOR A SUSTAINABLE GARDEN
To celebrate the Chelsea Flower Show and its focus on sustainability, Bosch gardening expert Markus Rekittke has five tips to help everyone manage their gardens sustainably, easily and without having to spend a lot of time doing so.
1. SUSTAINABLE GARDEN IRRIGATION
Rainwater from your water butt is a highly valuable resource. Not only does it mean you can avoid using mains water, but it also means you can water everything from roses to carrots with an entirely sustainable source.
You can make use of this valuable resource without lugging around a heavy watering can, too; battery-powered watering systems allow you to spray water from the butt with a standard garden hose, and even a sprinkler or irrigation system, powerfully up to 25 metres – making watering easy and efficient.
As temperatures get higher, it’s also crucial to keep an eye on plants that use water fast to ensure they keep looking their best. This is particularly the case with hanging baskets, which can easily dry out if you’re not careful, so be sure to water them regularly when it’s hot.
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.
2. REUSE GARDEN CLIPPINGS AND TACKLE WEEDS
Many gardeners already have a compost pile that uses clippings from hedges and bushes as well as biological components such as fruit and vegetable waste in a sustainable and clean way. In combination with regular recirculation, cuttings are perfectly suited to ensure air circulation within the compost, preventing a compost fire.
But clippings also have another purpose: when regularly chopped and spread under a hedge, they reduce the growth of weeds for a natural solution.
SeeRHS Chelsea Flower Show 2020: Sarah Eberle shares her top summer gardening tips
3. ATTRACT WILDLIFE WITH LEAVES AND CUTTINGS FOR MORE GARDEN BIODIVERSITY
Creating safe and natural habitats for animals and insects enriches a garden’s nature and diversity. Here, too, shredded clippings make their contribution: together with fallen leaves, they provide the ideal shelter for small critters, such as the hedgehog.
To collect enough leaves, simply pick up a leaf blower and off you go. Use cordless option for easy manoeuvring around bushes and trees.
4. MOW THE LAWN AND FERTILISE AT THE SAME TIME
There is an effective solution for sustainably fertilising your lawn: simply remove the catcher bag when mowing and instead attach a fitting mulching kit. This is because the shredded grass which is then returned to the lawn during mowing, is the perfect fertiliser. For best mulching results, your grass should be cut at a height of approximately 2cm. After the lawn work and for the final finishing touches, you can trim the edges of your lawn.
5. USE FIREWOOD FROM YOUR OWN GARDEN OR BUY AN AREA PARCEL
You don’t necessarily have to buy the wood for your fireplace. Instead, how about building up your own little supply? For this, in spring and/or autumn you can trim your fruit trees accordingly or simply make a reviving cut.
If you don’t have your own parcel of land but do have a fireplace, you can also buy a parcel in a forest to reclaim and transport usable wood and tinder for your own use as firewood. The good thing about this is that you are both adhering to sustainable guidelines and staying healthy by being physically active.
Visit Bosch for the tools you may need for your sustainable garden management.
SeeHow to transform your garden into a picture perfect paradise
Ruth Doherty is an experienced digital writer and editor specializing in interiors, travel and lifestyle. With 20 years of writing for national sites under her belt, she’s worked for the likes of Livingetc.com, Standard, Ideal Home, Stylist and Marie Claire as well as Homes & Gardens.
-
How to eliminate invasive weeds in your yard – identify and eradicate problem plants from your borders
Learn how to spot and stop invasive weeds with our expert-approved guide
By Thomas Rutter Published
-
6 of the easiest perennials to grow – for a flower filled garden without any fuss
What to grow for maximum beauty and minimal maintenance, according to garden designers
By Jacky Parker Published
-
Trees never to plant in a small backyard – 7 varieties that will overwhelm a limited space
It's best to avoid planting these trees in a compact space if you want the rest of your yard to thrive
By Gabriella Dyson Published
-
The best British gardens that you can visit this summer
Britons staying at home this summer are being encouraged to head outdoors and explore the stunning public gardens on their doorstep.
By Jennifer Ebert Published
-
How to grow organic fruit and vegetables at home – David Domoney shares his four top tips
TV gardener's expert tips on growing your own organic produce...
By Ruth Doherty Published
-
The common mistakes when growing in planters –and how best to avoid them
It is easy when you know how.
By Jennifer Ebert Published
-
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2020: Top tips for growing vegetables
Medwyn Williams, 11-time Gold medal winner at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, gives his top growing tips.
By Jennifer Ebert Published
-
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2020: The best performing plants for urban gardens
Rethinking tricky gardens with Charlotte Harris.
By Jennifer Ebert Published
-
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2020: Sarah Eberle shares her top summer gardening tips
A gold medal winning designer, Sarah Eberle, talks about naturalistic ways to garden – from playing with planting, using natural features and taking inspiration from your surroundings.
By Jennifer Ebert Published
-
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2020: The Queen shares her favourite flower to mark this year’s event
Her Majesty The Queen chose a bloom to mark the first day of virtual Chelsea Flower Show 2020.
By Jennifer Ebert Published