Make Your Outdoors More Sustainable

A typical residential garden

These types of gardens are seen all over Ireland and with a bit of thought and care, they can become sustainable gardens.

Matthew Ronan Collection, Wexford County Libraries Local Studies

A typical residential garden
Matthew Ronan Collection, Wexford County Libraries Local Studies

A typical residential garden

These types of gardens are seen all over Ireland and with a bit of thought and care, they can become sustainable gardens.

Matthew Ronan Collection, Wexford County Libraries Local Studies

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Your garden should be a place of beauty and peace. Yet this tranquility can have a negative effect on the sustainability and biodiversity of our earth. The removal of vegetation from our gardens, the use of pesticides and the introduction of pests and weeds are some elements that are undermining our environment.

Gardens are wonderful places to set up play areas for kids and entertain guests in the summer. They should be a place where nature thrives and develops so that you can enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of your environment.

The following tips outline some of the simple things you can do to make your own backyard an oasis – a safe place where you and your family and friends can relax and enjoy each other's company.

Avoid using patio heaters, as these produce enormous amounts of CO₂.

Use solar powered lights to brighten your garden at night. 

Reduce the use of electrical equipment like leaf-blowers – they consume too much energy.

Don’t feel bad about not weeding or feeding your lawn as reducing the use of pesticides and fertilisers is better for biodiversity. 

Do not use slug pellets - these will not only kill slugs, they will also kill the birds who feed on slugs. You can set beer traps, use copper matting under plants or sharp grit and egg shells around vulnerable species.

Use mulch as it suppresses weed growth, protects the soil from drying, provides frost
protection, prevents water logging, preserves nutrients from leaching and adds nutrients to
the soil. Some commonly used mulches include grass mowings, wood shavings, cardboard, and gravel.

Attract wildlife to your garden - put up a bird box, plant a native Irish tree such as oak, rowan or birch; it will support more native plants, birds, animals and insects.

 Plant an organic ‘edible’ garden to feed your family. There are over 80,000 edible plants yet we rely on only 30 to supply over 95% of our nutritional needs. You can do your bit for biodiversity if you consider growing some alternative food plants.Use plants to screen out eye-sores and to provide shade from winds or the summer sun.