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Lessons in gardening

Lesson 6: How to be a conscious gardener

This week we'll be looking at our gardens, and getting a greater understanding of the important role they can play in the wider ecosystem. We'll look at ways to increase biodiversity and create a welcoming habitat for a wide range of birds, pollinators and other wildlife, while also using methods that work with nature instead of against it. Conscious gardening is not just for the environment however, as taking time in our gardens to slow down and look at what is around us, helps us engage with our natural world. It's amazing how a few moments of focus while pruning, deadheading or planting can do wonders to calm and centre the mind.

Step 1. Welcoming garden friends & foes
Step 1. Welcoming garden friends & foes

Step 1. Welcoming garden friends & foes

We share our gardens with a whole host of insects and invertebrates, and while it may be a bit of a challenge to think of common garden pests such as slugs and snails as 'friendly', our mindsets are changing as we understand the importance of supporting nature and encouraging wildlife. It doesn't change the fact that we don't want them devouring our newly planted seedlings overnight, or that we'd like to keep our hostas intact - it just needs a change of mindset and a different approach.

In week 2, we looked at ways to 're-wild' your garden by bringing elements from the surrounding landscape into your garden, planting native species, adding water and encouraging all kinds of wildlife into an urban setting. If you'd like a recap, why not revisit those points.

Stop using chemicals

Stop using chemicals

One of the most important things you can do is to move away from the use of harsh chemicals and start practising time-honoured organic methods. We took this step on our nursery a few years ago and our plants (and bees) couldn't be happier!

Chemical pesticides will provide fast results, but before reaching for the bottle, think about their longer term effects. Yes, you may kill those annoying caterpillars/aphids/slugs etc, but birds, frogs or hedgehogs could be eating those poisoned pests, and that can have a long term effect on their health.

A far better approach is to work with the wildlife in your garden - encouraging a range of species into your garden to help support the natural ecosystem. For example, switching over to an organic (or home-made) compost to feed your plants will help support invertebrates. The growth in their number will encourage more birds and hedgehogs to visit your garden - and these will act as natural pest controllers. It's all connected.

Introducing natural predators

Introducing natural predators

There are lots of different methods you can use to combat pests naturally, but biological pest controls (introducing one organism to control another) can be really effective against if you're trying to target a certain problem.

For example, if vine weevils, leatherjackets, fungus (sciarid) fly, chafers or box tree caterpillars have gotten a foothold in your garden, you can use nematodes to help fight back. Nematodes are naturally occurring microscopic eelworms that are found in the soil. They are completely harmless to humans and pets, and by boosting their numbers, they'll help decrease the number of annoying pests in your garden.

Other fantastic biological pest controllers are ladybirds and their larvae. Introduce these natural predators into your garden and they'll make short work of the aphids and greenfly that are attacking your prized plants. Or, if red spider mites are causing trouble in the greenhouse, then bring in some predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis), and they'll help redress the balance.

Common garden pests that can be tackled organically

Aphids - These tiny sap-sucking insects often appear in large numbers and can cause damage to soft new growth. As soon as you spot them, squish them with your fingers, blast them off with a strong jet of water from the hose, or fill a spray mister with water, add a couple of drops of washing up liquid and douse them in that. Introducing natural predators (like ladybird larvae) or attracting birds will also help keep their numbers down.

Spider mites - A common pest on houseplants, spider mites can be controlled in the greenhouse by introducing some of their natural predators (Phytoseiulus persimilis). Completely harmless to your plants, these will munch away at the damaging pests, leaving your plants damage-free.

Caterpillars - if you can, pop on some gloves and pick them off by hand as soon as you see them. Otherwise hang up some bird feeders and encourage them to do the work for you. A relative newcomer, the box tree caterpillar can quickly strip the foliage from prized box plants. To target this pest, set pheromone traps for the adult moths to break the life cycle. They won't be able to mate, so the numbers in the next generation will be drastically reduced.

Vine weevils and leatherjackets - it's often the larvae that do most of the damage, and as they live underground, you usually won't know that you have these pests until the damage has been done. Nevertheless, to stop future generations doing even more harm, nematodes are usually effective natural predators, so water these into affected areas as soon as conditions allow. Adult vine weevils can also be picked off by hand at night when they start to feed on the leaves, and always check the roots of new plants for the brown-headed maggots before you plant - picking them off by hand if necessary.

Make wildlife feel welcome

Make wildlife feel welcome

This is perhaps the most obvious element of gardening consciously, but if you do your best to attract a wide range of wildlife into our garden, you'll have a built-in defence against many of the common garden pests. Place bird feeders close to large shrubs and keep them topped up regularly, and choose plants that offer different sizes of flowerhead to appeal to different types of bees and pollinators. Also, while we all want our gardens to look nice and neat, if you can leave a few piles of leaves and twigs in a corner, it will create a welcoming habitat for all those beneficial insects.

Make wildlife feel welcome
Make wildlife feel welcome

Deterring slugs & snails

Probably the most common (and annoying) pests in UK gardens, slugs and snails are voracious feeders, doing masses of damage in record-breaking time. There are however several different ways that you can protect your plants and keep their numbers in check without resorting to chemicals. Here are some tried and tested methods:

Pick them off by hand

They may be hard to find during the heat of the day, but if you go outside at night with a torch (ideally after it has rained), then they should be out in full force. If you don't want to kill them, collect them in a jar and take them somewhere that you can re-release them safely.

Make a garlic wash

Slugs and snails don't like garlic, so by making your own garlic drench, you can help keep them off your vulnerable plants. Place 2 bulbs of garlic in a pan with 2 litres of water and bring to the boil, and as they become tender, gently squish the cloves with a fork or potato masher to release all of their juices. Allow too cool and remove all the skins before pouring it into a bottle. When ready to use, mix 2 tablespoons of this concentrate to 5 litres of water and spray it on your plants every week - they may need a second application after heavy rain.

Set a beer trap

Drawn by the smell of yeast, they'll soon become dizzy and disorientated, eventually falling into the trap.

Create a physical barrier

Being soft-bodied creatures, slugs and snails find it difficult to move across jagged or rough surfaces. Therefore, surrounding your plants with a thick mulch of grit, sharp stones, crushed egg shells or even wool pellets will often send them packing.

Also, copper rings can be used to encircle pots or vulnerable plants. These are said to create a charge which deters slugs and snails by giving them a harmless, electric shock-like sensation each time they come into contact with it.

Make frogs and toads feel welcome

These creatures love to eat slugs and snails, so try to encourage them into your garden by building a pond and providing cool, damp spaces for them to shelter or hide.

Try companion planting

Many aromatic herbs (like lavender, rosemary, thyme or sage) will help repel slugs and snails, so if these are planted next to more vulnerable plants, they'll be less likely to be attacked.

Set some citrus traps

After you've squeezed your morning juice (or mixed your evening G&T), hang onto your orange, lemon or lime rinds and place them in your borders in the evening. Slugs and snails seem to love them, so by morning, you should have a small gathering, which can then be moved on.

Crocus tip: How to keep hostas nibble-free in pots

Crocus tip: How to keep hostas nibble-free in pots

Hostas are beautiful foliage plants, but unfortunately slugs and snails think they're pretty tasty too - and they can do a huge amount of damage to their leaves in just one sitting. If you want to keep the foliage in tip top condition, sit your pot on some pot feet, which have been placed in a saucer filled with a little water. Keep the water topped up, but make sure that it does not touch the base of the pot. For extra protection, wrap some copper tape around the outer rim of the pot, and then top the compost with a layer of grit or wool pellets.

Garden kit for chemical free plant protection
Planter with copper belt and tray
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Planter with copper belt and tray

£37.99

The original copper slug rings - set of 6
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The original copper slug rings - set of 6

£34.99

Vine weevil killer nematodes
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Vine weevil killer nematodes

£14.99

Ladybird adults - adalia bipunctata 25
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Ladybird adults - adalia bipunctata 25

£19.99

Tree hanging fat ball feeder - brass
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Tree hanging fat ball feeder - brass

£16.99

Copper rimmed cloche - lichen green
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Copper rimmed cloche - lichen green

£37.99

Shell on Earth crushed whelk shells
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Shell on Earth crushed whelk shells

£7.99

Glass cloches - set of 3
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Glass cloches - set of 3

£37.99

Step 2. Reduce, reuse & recycle
Step 2. Reduce, reuse & recycle

Step 2. Reduce, reuse & recycle

Whether you're building a new garden, or simply adding to it, be mindful that many of the choices we make now will have a long-lasting effect. Where possible, get creative and upcycle old furniture, pots, tools etc. Think about whether you can use that old egg carton for your seedlings, some tin cans for potting up, or an old plastic bottle to help direct water to the roots of your plants. It's often quite amazing what a bit of sandpaper, elbow grease, paint or oil can do!

Conserve water

Conserve water

We talk about this a lot - and it's something we do every day on our nursery. Here in Windlesham, we've built our own reservoir, which cnow holds nearly 3 olympic-sized swimming pools of water. This summer we're aiming to be totally self-sufficient. On a smaller scale, installing a water butt to capture rainwater as it falls, will be one of the best ways to reduce your water use. Your plants will also be happier and healthier, as they much prefer rain water to the chemically treated water from the tap.

Lawns are naturally very thirsty and regular mowing means they're even more vulnerable to drought in hot summers. If possible, allow your lawn to grow longer in hot weather or consider taking part in 'No Mow May'. Not only will the longer sward keep the roots protected from the sun, but it will also encourage beneficial insects including bees, and butterflies to set up home in your garden. If you'd like to make the wildlife in your garden even happier, replace a section of lawn with native planting and wildflowers.

Finally, if you live in a part of the country that doesn't see much rain, or if you'd like to reduce your water usage, choose plants that naturally originate from drier regions. They'll still need a good amount of water until they've settled in, but once established, they'll cope with a lot less water than most.

Design consciously

Design consciously

If you are considering design changes in your garden, think about the materials that you will be using - and if possible choose natural hardware that will support the biodiversity that will be living in your garden. Also, think about where (and how) these materials have been sourced and try to make choices that will minimise the impact on the natural environment.

Try to increase the vegetation in your garden - either by widening the borders, or when paving large areas, creating planting pockets. Not only will these soften the overall look, but they'll also allow for natural water drainage.

Choose your plants wisely, sourcing them from UK growers (to reduce their carbon footprint) and making sure that they'll do well in the spot you have earmarked for them. Additionally, try to grow a diverse range that will appeal to different species, creating a smorgasbord for all kinds of wildlife to enjoy.

And finally, where possible, reduce the use of single-use plastic, repurposing rather than buying new.

Make your own compost

Make your own compost

Aim for a zero-waste garden by making your own compost.

Home made compost is amazing stuff. Not only will it reduce your household waste, but it will deliver a huge nutritional boost to your plants, either when dug into the soil, or when used as a mulch to topdress borders. Compost will also help attract beneficial organisms (reducing the use of pesticides), while improving the soil's structure and ability to retain moisture - resulting in less watering.

On our nursery we make our own compost on a huge scale. In your garden, If space is tight, make your compost in a compost bin, which can be tucked behind the shed, or collect a few bagfuls of fallen leaves in autumn and turn them into leaf mould. Packed with nutrients, it also encourages the development of beneficial fungi.

Crocus tip: plastic pots

Crocus tip: plastic pots

We grow all our plants in taupe pots, which not only can be recycled, but they're also made from recycled plastic. All of our suppliers also use pots made of recycled plastic, but not all of these can be recycled by you at home. Instead of throwing these pots away, try to keep them and use them throughout the year. They're perfect for potting on seedlings, taking cuttings and sowing seeds.

Garden kit for conscious gardening

Share your progress

Share your progress

This week we encourage you to share your tips for managing garden friends ( and foes) and for how you garden more sustainably, conscious of the world around you and the impact your garden can have. Make use of the Lesson in Gardening community and our resident Plant Doctors on hand to answer any questions you may have.

Share your progress in the Lessons in Gardening group, on our FREE app Iris. Our Plant Doctors are also on hand every day to impart their gardening advice and to answer your questions.

Share progress

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