Low Carbon
LOW CARBON
LOW CARBON
Everyone can lower carbon emissions by gardening sustainably, with a light touch and then maximizing the amount of carbon your garden stores and therefore helping to combat climate change.
Below are some of the methods, principles and services I am committed to that will help towards a low carbon garden.
Materials
Materials
Not using carbon intensive concrete and, where possible, using reclaimed materials. Wood is sourced from FSC or PEFC managed forests to ensure carbon neutrality. Topsoil and compost are peat free, locally sourced and in loose loads so plastic free. Total ban on pesticides, fertilisers & weedkillers.
Tools
Tools
Hand tools are the norm, not the exception. The only power tool I use is an electric hedge trimmer. Unwanted plants (weeds) are removed through hand weeding, hoe-ing and mulching, preventing loss of carbon from soil disturbance.
Design
Design
Garden designs are light on impermeable surfaces and heavy on plants. Use of trees, shrubs & perennials to sequester more carbon and minimize the release of carbon from digging the soil for annuals.
Install
Install
Installation of water butts to reduce high carbon tap water use. Installation of compost areas to provide climate & wildlife friendly breakdown of organic matter from the garden. Log piles made from woody prunings to lock the carbon they contain back into the soil. Also creates a valuable shelter & food source for insects and small mammals.
Plant suppliers
Plant suppliers
Trees are sourced from Chew Valley Trees who are local to Bristol and grow their own stock on site. Shrubs and perennials are mainly sourced from local Middlecombe Nursery who also grow some, but not all, of their own stock. Any internet orders will be from a small list of pesticide free suppliers.
