Things are changing in the world of gardening.
We’d like to think they are improving as we learn more about how our local ecosystems work and are reminded of the need to take action against the effects of climate change in our own homes.
New technologies come with new techniques, and the advent of ‘Smart Gardening’ options also enhances how you can create more sustainable and productive gardens.
Check out our quick summary of the new development that could add new and (more Sustainable) life to your garden and property. We’ll point you to the simple measures you can take.
Start With the Soil and No-Dig Gardening
Let’s start from the ground up.
Soil health, bioactive soil teeming with microorganisms, and better composting techniques are all topics that gardening communities are currently exploring. No longer the sole concern of farming communities, we home gardeners have much to gain from the simple interventions we can make in our homes.
How to Practise No-Dig Gardening
What is No-Dig Gardening? It’s a method of growing plants without disturbing the soil through traditional tilling or digging. Instead, it focuses on building soil health by layering organic materials on top of the soil, which naturally decomposes and enriches the soil.
It makes perfect sense when you think about it! This is how nature does it in the wild: the cycle of life, decomposition and the layering of debris over the seasons allow natural processes and a healthy biodiverse soil ecosystem to develop.
● Avoid Tilling – Tilling disrupts the natural structure of the soil, which can lead to compaction and erosion.
● Adding organic matter like compost, mulch, and manure to soil can increase nutrient content and microbial activity. Aim for natural mulches like Bark and Wood Chips: These provide excellent weed suppression and moisture retention. As they decompose, they add organic matter to the soil. Straw and Hay are great for mulching vegetable gardens and flower beds, offering weed control and soil enrichment as they break down.
● Maintain a permanent soil cover with organic mulch or plant residues to protect the soil from wind and water erosion.
For more in-depth advice, check out our clear guide: Ways To Enhance Plant Growth And Create A More Fertile Garden.
Why do it?
● Preservation of Soil Structure: No-dig gardening maintains the soil’s structure, allowing for better water infiltration and root penetration (The Spruce).
● Enhanced Soil Fertility: These microorganisms break down the organic material, releasing nutrients slowly and improving soil fertility.
● Reduced Soil Erosion: This is particularly important in preventing the loss of topsoil and maintaining a healthy growing environment (RHS Gardening).
● Improved Water Retention: No-dig gardening helps retain soil moisture by reducing evaporation. This is beneficial during dry periods and reduces the need for frequent watering.
● Carbon Sequestration: By avoiding tilling, which releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and by adding organic materials that store carbon.
Push for Pollinator-Friendly Biodiverse Gardens
Pollinator insects make for a more beautiful and fertile garden and a wider farming community. We should all work together to protect our local pollinators and support our wider farming community!
More garden designers and landscapers are developing garden designs and promoting planting that enhances the pollinator biome and supports the native wildlife on our island.
You can design a pollinator-friendly garden, even in small urban spaces. All it takes is a few flowerpots and window boxes.
How to Create a Pollinator-Friendly Garden
● Grow more Plant Popular Pollinator Plants such as milkweed, borage, and other native species attract pollinators (HorticultureConnected.ie) (Epic Gardening).
● When in doubt, grow native indigenous plants and reduce the chemical usage of your pesticides.
● Say goodbye to your Lawn obsession! Move towards the ‘Wildflower Meadow’ way of thinking. Even if you are attached to keeping a decent law going in your backyard, you can make a compromise. Create pockets or allocate periphery areas dedicated to growing wildflowers that are more suited to our local ecosystem and pollinators. Kick things off with our little guide: How To Transform Your Lawn Into A Bee-Friendly Meadow.
● Check out our handy guide and checklist: How To Create A More Biodiverse Irish Garden This Spring.
● Birds can also help enhance your garden’s biodiversity and plant health by Keeping pests at bay without pollinator-destroying pesticides. We’ve got great tips in our blog: Love Birdwatching? Make Your Garden a Bird-Friendly Space This Summer.
Move to More Versatile and Climate-Tolerant Plants
“Really versatile plants are going to be the name of the game,” says plantswoman, teacher, author and TV gardener Sarah Raven, whose new book A Year Full Of Pots Filled with excellent planting ideas for a more flower-filled garden.
In the face of more regular cycles of drought and excess rain here in Ireland, it would be an excellent investment to convert to solid and flexible species that prosper in extreme cold, wind, heat, drought, and wet weather.
Here are some plants you can rely on to keep greenery and colour flourishing despite these climatic highs and lows.
How to Choose Hardy Plants For the Changing Irish Garden
For an Irish garden that needs to be versatile and resilient to climate uncertainties such as extreme heat, dry weather, and wet conditions, the following plants are excellent choices:
Perennials and Shrubs
- Lavender (Lavandula spp.) – Drought-tolerant, thrives in sunny conditions and provides year-round interest with its evergreen foliage and summer blooms.
- Hardy Geraniums (Geranium spp.) – Tolerates various soil conditions, including poor and dry soils, and is resistant to pests.
- Heuchera (Heuchera spp.) – Known for its attractive foliage in various colours and its ability to thrive in different conditions, including shade.
- Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.) – Adaptable to various soil types and conditions, including moist and dry periods.
Trees
- Silver Birch (Betula pendula) – Tolerates wet and dry conditions and is relatively fast-growing.
- Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) – Hardy and versatile, capable of withstanding cold, wet, and dry conditions.
Grasses and Ground Covers
- Festuca (Festuca glauca) – Drought-tolerant and provides good ground cover with its blue-green foliage.
- Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) – Drought-tolerant and can handle various soil conditions while providing aromatic foliage.
- Consider hardy Seedum and mosses that are native to the Irish climate.
Native Plants
- Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) – Native to Ireland, it thrives in various conditions and attracts pollinators.
- Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – Extremely resilient to drought and poor soil conditions and beneficial for pollinators.
Design Trend Backlash Against Plastic
Linked to this move toward a more Nature-Inspired practice is the move toward a more Natural Aesthetic and the use of more renewable, biodegradable materials. Designing a garden without relying on plastic aligns well with current trends towards sustainability and eco-friendliness.
How To Use More Natural Materials in Your Irish Garden
● Use more Stone and Rock – These are ideal for borders, planters, and walls for a more durable, aesthetically pleasing alternative. Different types of rocks, like limestone, slate, and granite, can add various textures and colours to the garden.
● Wood: Untreated wood can be used for raised beds, garden furniture, and as an alternative to plastic fences. It is biodegradable and can be sourced sustainably. Popular choices include cedar, oak, and reclaimed wood.
● Metal Elements, like weathered steel, are increasingly famous for garden edging, planters, and sculptures. Their rustic appearance blends well with natural surroundings. Wrought Iron is a durable alternative to plastic garden furniture and structure. It is also ideal for gates, trellises, and garden furniture. Wrought iron is durable and adds a classic touch to garden design.
● Green Walls and Vertical Gardens: Plants can create living walls, which can replace plastic structures, provide insulation, reduce noise, and improve air quality. These walls can be supported by non-plastic materials like metal frames or wooden trellises.
● Natural Fencing: Hedgerows and willow fences offer privacy and windbreaks without the need for plastic. They also support wildlife habitats.
● Sustainable Planters such as Terracotta Pots – Clay-based pots are breathable and naturally porous, helping to regulate soil moisture. They are ideal for a wide range of plants and are fully biodegradable.
Heard of Smart Yard Technology?
Smart-Yard technology brings our connected devices and systems to the gardening environment to help us automate and optimise various yard and garden maintenance tasks. It takes its cue from the significant developments already happening in the agri-tech sector.
Key components Smart Yard Tech
● Garden Identification Apps such as the ‘Garden Answers’ or ‘ PlantSnap’ app—There are a range of apps that provide instant plant identification and answers to gardening questions. They help troubleshoot plant problems and get expert advice.
● GreenIQ—GreenIQ is a Smart Garden hub that controls irrigation, lighting, and other garden devices through a single app. It provides centralised control for all smart garden devices, optimising water and energy use.
● MySoil App – provides detailed soil data for any location in Ireland, including soil type, pH, and organic matter content. It helps you choose the right plants and amendments for your specific soil conditions.
● Water Conservation Devices—New innovative irrigation systems use real-time weather data to optimise watering schedules, but for the domestic garden, more Water capture systems and rain harvesting devices are available now in your local home value store.
● Robotic Lawn Mowers are becoming more mainstream and accessible to Irish gardeners. Their features include GPS navigation, a weather timer, and remote control via a mobile app.
● Gardena Smart System—This system includes Smart irrigation control, Smart sensors for soil moisture, and robotic lawnmowers. It allows for precise watering and lawn maintenance with real-time data and app control.
Community Gardening in Ireland
There is new growth (thanks to social media) in local gardening communities and allotments. Now more than ever, it is easier to mobilise a local group and source a local allotment, especially if you are in an urban area. All it takes is a Facebook page or Instagram account and hashtag to gather around online.
What’s Good for the Garden is Good For YOU
Don’t forget the positive, sustainable impact these changes in your garden will also have on your physical and mental well-being. Knowing you are making a difference and living in a healthier, more natural environment will inevitably improve the health of your family.
As the old saying goes: “As you sow, so shall you reap.”
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