One side effect of the current trend for minimalist, clean-lined gardens that function as fully equipped outdoor rooms is that materials like concrete, synthetic rattan and polyurethane can dominate. Here are some tips for keeping your garden feeling natural and limiting your carbon footprint.
Wooden garden furniture
Hardwoods like teak are excellent materials for long-lasting garden furniture but can come with quite a high ecological price tag. Opting for furniture made from locally grown softwood is better for the planet, particularly if you check on the manufacturer’s sustainability credentials. Charles Taylor garden furniture, for example, only uses carefully chosen wood from sustainable sources. If you can buy items that are made locally, you will further reduce the ecological impact of your purchase.
Fencing and edging
Softer edging materials like twisted hazel, woven willow and twisted bamboo offer a more natural way to keep your borders looking tidy without the need for paved edges or plastic-based products, and they age beautifully too. Fencing panels made of woven hazel can be delightfully rustic, and wicker panels will also create a cottage garden aesthetic.
Pathways
Rather than block paving or composite resins, consider using wooden sleepers, bark chippings or gravel for your pathways. This will soften the overall look of your garden, and these options are cheaper, less rigid and keep your palette of materials simple and in keeping with the plants that surround them.
Finally, wooden planters and ceramic pots are more solid than plastic alternatives. They will also take on a more interesting pattern as they weather, adding character and interest as attractive objects in their own right, rather than just functional vessels.
By following these tips, you can create a more natural-style garden.
