Richmond Borough in Bloom has introduced a new competition category for the "Best Environmental Garden".

Gardens are a potential haven for wildlife, but gardening practices can also cause harm to the wider environment - for example through chemical pest control and the use of unsustainable resources.

Organisers are looking for gardeners who apply sustainable practices and principles, for example:

• Using natural methods to control pests
• Recycling garden and kitchen waste for composting
• Applying water saving techniques
• Planting and encouraging native species and species attractive to wildlife
• Managing the garden area to provide a wide range of habitats for native plants and animals
• Providing food and water to birds and animals, particularly in periods of hardship
• Using local and replenishable materials, ideally recycled
• Using a part of the garden for the production of organic fruit and vegetables.

Everyone can garden in a more sustainable manner and RBIB has suggestions:

Peat is a valuable and finite resource and is not compatible with the local soils; make your own soils in a compost bin, produce your own leaf mould and/or identify a local source of manure, mushroom compost or other peat-free compost.

Pesticides and chemical controls such as slug pellets can also harm other wildlife. Encourage the natural predators of your pests such as birds and hedgehogs, ladybirds and lacewings into your garden and use more natural control methods such as egg shells or wood ash around your plants and construct shallow beer traps for the snails and slugs.

Nectar-rich and preferably native plants such as primrose, ivy and honeysuckle attract butterflies and bees. Night-scented plants such as night-scented stock and sweet rocket attract insects and bats. Birds like all types of berries and seed heads so do not remove these in the Autumn

Don't be too tidy; a pile of logs will attract beetles and fungi; leaves can provide shelter for hedgehogs and areas of longer grass provide cover for beetles which in turn can keep down garden pests. Use your grass cuttings and wood chippings to help control weed growth

Ponds can provide a good habitat but don't take spawn from the wild. Wait for the animals to come to you; they usually will. Ornamental fish look nice but eat the native wildlife such as dragonfly larvae

Bird habitats can be introduced and enhanced by nesting and roosting boxes, bird tables and baths and the impact of your cat reduced by attaching a small bell to its collar. Natural roosts in ivy and bushes should be maintained and not disturbed during the breeding season

The procurement of wood and stone for decking and landscaping can be at the expense of its natural setting. It is preferable to use materials that would otherwise be going to waste or that are available locally.

Garden lighting is also fashionable at present but could be considered wasteful and cause light pollution when used to excess.

The use of tap water for garden watering is also discouraged and gardeners should look to store run-off from their property and not be too upset if the garden dries out to the end of summer; this is natural.

See the websites:
British wildflowers
English Nature
Henry Doubleday Research Association
and
Richmond Borough in Bloom

Thursday, June 10, 2004

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