Five reasons why we need a slow garden movement
Victoria Embankment Gardens in London is a green oasis on the north bank of the River Thames. It looks pristine, the result of the plants being regularly ripped out and replaced with whole new flower beds depending on the season. What visitors see is ‘fast gardening’ a desire to create instant gratification. It is a growing trend with the sale of plastic lawns forecast to grow by 7.7% in the coming year and many gardeners buying plants which look great on display but are unsuitable for their growing conditions.
This ‘fast gardening’ trend has environmental implications. Every year gardeners and commercial growers use around 1.7 million cubic metres of peat from peat bogs which in the UK store at least 3,000 million tonnes of carbon, twenty times as much as the whole of the UK forests.
With our climate changing and environmental concerns increasing is it time to rethink the way we garden? It is possible that change may be forced upon us. Prolonged heatwaves and droughts plus more extreme storms are likely to make gardeners increasingly wary of spending hard-earned cash on plants that might not survive these variations. The increasing cost of fertilisers will put a strain on pockets already hit by the cost-of-living crisis.
We need to move away from ‘fast gardening’ and encourage people to build a long-term closer connection with plants, the soils in which they grow and the impact of changing weather patterns. A change to a more thoughtful way of gardening would have a range of benefits.
Reducing waste disposal costs
Significantly boosting home and community composting would have considerable benefits. An RHS survey revealed that 20% of people do not compost green or food waste. If this number could be halved it would equate to 450,000 cubic meters of compost that could be used to boost soil quality and reduce waste disposal costs. With government plans in the pipeline to introduce food waste collections for all households taking this much waste out of the collection system would be beneficial.
An awareness raising campaign should seek to reduce the level of contamination – particularly plastics – that is contained with green and food waste. Recent research by University College London revealed that most plastics marketed as ‘home compostable’ don’t work with as much as 60% failing to disintegrate after six months. Less contamination within green waste streams will increase the opportunities for using this material.
2. Making better use of precious resources
A different approach to gardening would enhance the use of precious resources and cut waste. Customer research by garden centres suggests that many amateur gardeners are using peat as a mulch or soil enhancer. There are other effective alternatives that should be used instead of peat helping the transition away from this precious resource.
Gardeners who better understand the growing conditions in their garden and who nurture the soil are more likely to buy plants that last and thrive. Not only will this save them money but will also reduce the requirement to purchase and dispose of the plastic pots in which most plants are sold.
3. Adapting to a changing climate
Our changing climate will result in greater urban heat, more flash flooding rainfall and longer periods of drought. Climate savvy gardeners will adapt the way they grow to consider shifting weather patterns.
Replacing concrete and having natural lawns rather than plastic ones will help to reduce flash floods by cutting run-off. Carefully planted gardens can create shade during intense periods of heat and provide a cooling effect for homes. Drought resistant planting will reduce the need for watering at a time when restrictions are placed on water use.
4. Saving money
Using their own green and food compost as a mulch or soil enhancer, ensuring that the plants they buy are suitable for growing conditions and reducing reliance on fertilises will help gardeners to cut costs.
With food prices are soaring there are opportunities for gardeners to grow more of their own food, regardless of the size of their plot.
5. Promoting well-being
More thoughtful gardening, a greater appreciation of the soil and understanding of the seasons will help people to better connect with nature. There is a growing level of evidence that spending more time in green spaces boosts well-being. Gardening is also a great way to boost movement and exercise helping people live a healthier life.
Like many areas of modern lives, gardening is facing the pressures of people wanting to see immediate results and rewards. This trend for instant gratification has environmental consequences. You can’t hurry nature and our gardening habits need to reflect this reality.